School of Languages

Who We Are

The School of Languages is a government school which specialises in languages education. Since its establishment in 1986, this unique South Australian school has supported thousands of students to pursue their interest in languages learning and to experience the joy of embracing another culture.

The school was initially founded as a secondary school for students from all three sectors. In 2000 the school introduced its first classes for students from Reception to Year 7. Since then our primary classes have continued to grow in popularity and demand.

Our Mission

The School of Languages aims to enhance access, choice and continuity in language learning for South Australian learners, through the provision of quality programs in a broad range of languages R-12, that complement and supplement languages programs offered in mainstream schools and ethnic schools.

Our Values

• Respect; Quality; Commitment; Diversity

Our Unique Context

Students from Government, Catholic and Independent schools come together after school hours to learn the language of their choice, which is not available in their home school. Lessons are held once a week in a friendly environment of committed professionals and motivated students. This provides for a sustained focus and time for extending students’ learning through a wide range of activities.

Teaching Centres

Our classes are held in schools across Adelaide, with Adelaide High School being the largest centre. Approximately 25 other teaching centres offer a variety of languages at various year levels, in response to local demand.

We give special acknowledgement and appreciation to the many schools across Adelaide that host our programs, thus enabling students and their families to benefit from learning a language.

Choosing To Learn A Language

Studying another language offers many rewards, including:

• being able to communicate, interact and negotiate within and across languages and cultures

• understanding one’s own and others’ languages, thus improving literacy skills, including in English

• understanding selves and others, and the diverse ways of knowing, being and doing

• further developing cognitive skills through thinking critically and analytically, solving problems, and making connections in learning

• becoming more competitive in the global market.

Languages Taught

A wide range of languages is available through the school, both at primary and secondary levels.