The Victorian School of Languages (VSL) is a government school dedicated to providing exceptional language programs for students in Foundation to 12 who do not have access to these languages at their mainstream schools. We deliver our programs through both face-to-face instruction at centres across Victoria and via Distance Education.

Operating in alignment with government policies and priorities, the VSL plays a key role in helping the Victorian education system achieve its language participation targets.

Our diverse student body includes individuals from all three school sectors—Government, Catholic, and Independent—as well as International Students and a select number of adults. The VSL is the largest single VCE language provider, serving over 3,500 VCE students, and for many less common languages, we are the sole provider up to the VCE level.

The VSL is guided by a School Council, which meets monthly and offers broad leadership. This council includes representatives from the Ethnic Communities Council, Independent and Catholic Schools, and the Tertiary Sector.

Administrative and curriculum services are coordinated from our Head Office, where the Executive Principal and Assistant Principals are based. The senior administration includes the Principal Class and Area Managers (Leading Teachers). Our Distance Education section, which employs both full-time and casual staff, is also located at Head Office.

Typically, the VSL provides language classes that correspond to the student’s current level in their regular school. However, due to varying student numbers, some classes may be multi-level, particularly for less common languages. To address these needs, we have developed specialised curriculum materials and offer professional development for our teachers.

Students can study most languages from primary level through to VCE, ensuring a continuous and comprehensive language education.

View 2024 Annual Implementation Plan | View 2023 Annual Report

We warmly welcome students, parents, and teachers to the Victorian School of Languages (VSL).

As a state-wide initiative of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the VSL offers language classes to school-aged students across all educational sectors—Government, Catholic, and Independent. Our mission is to provide access to language education for students who do not have the opportunity to study their chosen language at their home school.

The following services are available

• Face-to-Face Language Classes: Available from Foundation to Year 12 (VCE) across 40 campuses throughout Victoria, with instruction in over 40 languages.
• Distance Education Language Classes: For Year 7 to Year 12 (VCE), offering 11 languages.
• Language Classes for International Students: Tailored to meet the needs of international students.
• Professional Development: A variety of seminars designed to enhance teachers’ expertise in language education.
• Interactive Online Courses: Providing engaging and flexible language learning opportunities.

Since our inception in 1935 with Japanese and Italian classes, the VSL has made a significant impact on language education in Victoria and contributed to our vibrant multicultural community. We celebrated our 80th anniversary in 2015.

Our work has been internationally recognised. In a report to the European Commission, Language Rich Europe, Professor G. Extra highlighted the VSL’s pioneering policies and practices as exemplary models that could be adopted in Europe.

Our dedicated teachers and staff continue to collaborate to provide exceptional language education and support for Victorian students.

Warm regards,

Judi Benney
Executive Principal

The Victorian School of Languages (VSL) has a distinguished history in language education, beginning in 1935 with Saturday classes at Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School. Originally offering Italian and Japanese, these classes quickly proved successful and set a model later adopted by other states across Australia.

Initially known as the Saturday School of Modern Languages, the VSL was established to meet the diverse language needs of our multicultural society. Over time, it has expanded significantly, adapting to Victoria’s evolving language requirements both in urban and rural areas. Today, the VSL provides instruction in over 40 languages to 13,000 students through face-to-face classes and 1,400 students via distance education.