The Aqua English Project

The Aqua English Project is a program for supporting new arrivals to Queensland that empowers and engages people through language and swimming. Swimming pools are Queensland's version of the town square – a natural meeting place when the weather is hot and the desire to cool off becomes the most important consideration of the weekend.

However, many people from diverse communities' struggle with swimming and water safety, especially if they have not been readily exposed to water. Logan, Cairns and Brisbane councils have partnered with The Aqua English Project to help address some of the barriers people face by building community capacity through targeted education, health and fitness programs.

These barriers are often invisible to the broader Australian community. For example, pools and aquatic facilities may be unaware that language, swimwear, public transport, the cost of lessons, self perception, gender, , the level of welcomeness and body language can create significant hurdles for meaningful aquatic participation. The Aqua English Project has reached over 26,000 people in South East Queensland. The Project uses swimming as the conduit for cultural English language immersion, upskilling and employment. It also uses the teaching of English as a way to immerse people into water culture.

Participant Mekdes Tilanun said, “I came from Ethiopia. I didn’t swim before. We learn the vocabulary in the pool, for example CPR, togs and goggles.”

Since the program began in 2006, it has trained lifeguards and swim teachers who are Vietnamese, Karen, Afghan, Sudanese, Chinese, Singaporean, Thai, Burmese and Egyptian.