Learning languages fosters open-mindedness and appreciation for diversity. When students study a Language it enhances literacy skills, supports intellectual and emotional growth, and deepens cultural understanding. It also enables meaningful connections within the global community. Through learning languages, students reflect on their own heritage, culture and identity and reflect on the culture, beliefs and values of others.

The rich linguistic and cultural diversity of NSW provides an educational environment where the study of languages and cultures is valued as a unique and integral part of the curriculum. The NSW Department of Education provides students with opportunities to communicate and engage with the world and its people through the study of languages K-12.

The Community Languages Program K-6, supports students in maintaining or developing skills in their background languages during school hours. This program, offered in 136 NSW public primary schools, engages over 42,000 students across 29 languages.

The NSW School of Languages (NSL) and the Secondary College of Languages (SCL) are two unique settings that provide students in NSW with the opportunity to study a language if the language is not offered at the home school. The courses offered are aligned with the language syllabuses of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), ensuring students receive recognition for their language proficiency through certifications such as the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and Higher School Certificate (HSC).

In addition, the department coordinates funding for not-for-profit community organisations to operate after-school language classes through the Community Languages Schools Program. This program, which currently involves 62 languages taught in 560 locations across NSW, engages over 3,000 volunteer teachers in delivering language programs to more than 35,000 students.

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