Our Story: The German Language School in Adelaide
Welcome to the German Language School of Adelaide, a community built on a passion for German language and culture. For over a century, we’ve been dedicated to providing high-quality, immersive education to students of all ages. We invite you to explore our mission, our rich history, and the partnerships that make our school a leader in German education in South Australia.
About the German Language School Inc: Our Mission and Vision
The German Language School Inc. is a community-focused organisation with a clear vision for German language education in Adelaide. Our mission is built on four core pillars:
- To provide high-quality education in the German language to students of all backgrounds.
- To offer nationally and internationally recognised qualifications in the German language.
- To give exposure to the culture of the German-speaking peoples.
- To maintain a family-friendly community setting.
Through these efforts, we strive to be recognised as the preferred provider of excellent German language education in an environment that nurtures the cultures of the German-speaking peoples. We are committed to providing a coherent curriculum and teaching methods that lead to outstanding results.
To learn more about how we achieve this mission through our educational approach and the subjects we offer, we invite you to explore our curriculum.“
A Legacy of Language
The German Language School Inc. has a proud and extensive history, with its origins dating back to 1959. The school was founded by Josef Landherr at the South Australian German Association, with a mission to provide quality German language education and to preserve cultural heritage for the community. For over 60 years, our dedicated staff, students, and families have helped us grow into the thriving community we are today. Read Our Full History here.
Classes and Our Commitment to Quality
The School for the German Language Inc operates on Saturday mornings during school term. Occasional classes are held on weekday evenings.
Everyone is welcome! Our objective is to teach the German language and culture to students of a German speaking background and all other language backgrounds.
The school provides classes from Preschool to Year 12. Adult classes are also available.
Governance and Accreditations
The School is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a management committee. It is financed through student fees and subsidies from the South Australian Government as well as the German Government.
The School is:
(a) a member of the Community Language Schools SA (CLSSA);
(b) accredited to award Stages 1 and 2 of the Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (German Language Diploma of the Education Ministers Conference)
Our Commitment to the Community
The German Language School Inc. is a community-driven organisation. We believe that listening to our families is essential to providing the best possible learning experience. We periodically conduct community surveys to ensure we are meeting your needs.
A key takeaway from our past surveys has been the strong emphasis our community places on developing students’ core language skills —speaking, reading, and writing— alongside a desire for a family-friendly and welcoming environment. This feedback is invaluable and helps shape our curriculum and school policies.
You can read the full report from our past surveys here.