The Community Language Schools (CLS) is a longstanding and valuable part of languages and cultural education in South Australia. It plays an important role in maintaining and developing languages and cultures in the community. The Community Languages Schools of South Australia (CLSSA) oversee the CLS program.

Who can access the program

The program is open to all students, regardless of their linguistic and cultural background. The schools are non-government and non-profit organisations.

Statement of commitment and collaboration

The Government of South Australia is committed to increasing, enhancing, and strengthening the teaching and learning of languages and cultures in South Australia.

The statement of commitment and collaboration (PDF 201 KB) represents a joint commitment between the Government of South Australia and CLSSA.

Starting a Community Languages School

If you’re part of a community or organisation that wants to start a Community Language School, there are information sessions held regularly. For more information visit Community Language Schools SA (CLSSA) or call 08 7095 5600.

Accreditation, funding, and SACE guidelines

The Department for Education support the CLS program with accreditation and funding.

The state government provides funding to support CLSSA and the CLS program to offer languages and cultures learning to South Australian school-aged students outside of school hours.

These guidelines outline the process that new and existing Community Language Schools must follow:

• accreditation guidelines (PDF 820 KB)
• funding guidelines (PDF 592 KB)
• SACE guidelines (PDF 673 KB) .

The guidelines include the documents that new Community Language Schools must provide:

• when applying for accreditation or re-accreditation
• to receive funding from the South Australian Government.

If you have questions about accreditation or re-accreditation visit CLSSA or call 08 7095 5600.