A free, play-based digital language program for young children is expanding into Foundation to Year 2 (F–2) classrooms, giving more students access to early language learning in 2026.
Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Education Services Australia. The program, which is celebrating 10 years, uses play-based digital apps and supporting resources to introduce children to new languages and cultures.
Registrations are now open for primary schools to take part in the F–2 rollout, with access provided free of charge.
Since launching in 2014 and rolling out nationally in 2017, the program has reached more than one million children across over 5,000 early learning services. It supports exploration of up to 13 languages aligned with the Australian Curriculum, including Japanese, Mandarin, French, Arabic, Hindi, German and Korean.
The program forms part of the Australian Government’s $34.6 million investment over the next four years in the Teacher Resource Hubs, which provide curriculum-aligned, evidence-backed resources for educators and families nationwide.
The expansion into primary schools will give F–2 teachers access to 11 immersive, easy-to-use apps and supporting classroom resources for each language. Education Services Australia says the move is designed to build on the program’s success in early childhood settings and help more children develop confidence, curiosity and intercultural understanding from their first years of school.
Over its first decade, more than 98 per cent of educators have reported high engagement with the Polyglots play-based apps, while two-thirds of families say their children spontaneously use new language at home. Educators also report improvements in early communication, literacy and inclusion, particularly in communities without access to specialist language teachers.
The apps use art, music, cooking, imaginative play and everyday routines to support language learning in ways familiar to young children.
According to Education Services Australia, the expansion is also intended to support teachers in rural, regional and remote settings, as well as those teaching out-of-field, by ensuring high-quality digital and printable resources are free and accessible.
“ELLA began with a simple idea: that every child, regardless of where they live or what language their family speaks, should have the chance to see language as a bridge, not a barrier,” said Amanda Macdonald, Early Learning Specialist at Education Services Australia.
“A decade on, we’re proud to extend that opportunity into the early years of primary school.”
Ms Macdonald said the expansion would give more children access to early language learning in a developmentally appropriate way.
“Teachers tell us ELLA is one of the most transformative programs they’ve used,” she said. “The expansion into F–2 means more children can build early language skills in a fun, culturally rich and developmentally appropriate way. It also gives teachers practical, evidence-based tools they can use straight away, no matter their language background.”
Primary schools can now apply to join the F–2 rollout via the program’s website.
