The Association for Learning Mandarin in Australia Inc

Association for Learning Mandarin in Australia Inc

ALMA is a Canberra-based non-profit community organisation which promotes the learning and use of Mandarin Chinese and a greater understanding of Chinese culture and heritage in Australian Society.   ALMA provides networking opportunities for those wishing to explore the educational, cultural and/or personal benefits of learning Mandarin. 

The association was founded in 1984, when it was known as the Chinese Australian Schools Association (CASA). It was set up by a group of parents who wanted to run an early childhood centre which teaches a language other than English. ALMA still operates this centre in southern Canberra.   

ALMA acts as an advocate for the expansion and development of Mandarin programs in the school system and promotes wider discussion and debate about the learning and teaching of languages other than English in Australia.

ALMA also provides information on where to learn Mandarin in the ACT region, and coordinates the the Mandarin Community Tutoring Project, which provides opportunities for informal language learning in the Canberra area.