THE VICTORIAN School of Languages (VSL) has responded to concerns Warrnambool’s language centre is at risk of closing, with its assistant principal saying there had been no formal talks of closing the centre.
VSL assistant principal Stefo Stojanovski said “no technical audit” was under way.
“We run language classes where there are enough numbers and sometimes they run one year and not the next,” he said.
“We look at it class by class to see if there’s not enough local support for a centre.”
Mr Stojanovski said the school generally aimed to have about 15 students in each class but tried to run as many small classes as it could wherever possible.
“Unlike a regular school, we have a set budget and can only run a certain number of classes.
“We’re really supportive of our regional provision and will do everything in power to keep classes open.”
VSL Warrnambool centre supervisor Vince Gleeson said the centre had received a number of inquiries over the last couple of days but still feared the centre’s low class numbers could result in closure.
The Warrnambool centre has less than 10 children enrolled in the Chinese Mandarin class and less than five students in each of the Italian and French classes.
He encouraged the community to take the opportunity to enrol in lessons.
“The VSL set up this opportunity to try and help students in regional areas where languages aren’t always available at schools,” Mr Gleeson said. “We are trying to provide that access for students in this regional area.”
Classes are held for primary and secondary students at Warrnambool College each week and costs $70 a year.
For more information about enrolling in classes, contact Mr Gleeson on 0490 031 286.