Free Language Classes and Services for Tennessee County and Municipal Officials

The Language Collaborative for County Officials (LCCO), offered by the Tennessee Language Center (TLC) in partnership with the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), and the Language Collaborative for Municipal Officials (LCMO), offered by TLC in partnership with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), provides free language classes and services for Tennessee county and municipal officials*. This program is designed to help officials communicate effectively with the diverse communities they serve.

What Services Are Available?

Through the LCCO and LCMO programs, county and municipal officials can request a wide range of free language support, including:

Written Translation

  • A globe with the word translation in different languages around it.Signage for buildings
  • Official documents and applications
  • Forms, notices, and more

Verbal Interpretation

  • Phone system recordings
  • Video-remote interpretation
  • In-person interpreters
  • 24-hour telephonic interpretation

3 men sitting at tables holding up signs that say 15 in Spanish (quince)Group Language Classes

  • 9-week courses, 2 hours per week
  • 4 terms per year
  • Free group classes available in Spanish, Arabic, and ASL (American Sign Language)
  • Discounted classes in 8 other languages (15%). Apply for that discount.

Note: Students are responsible for the cost of textbooks or class materials. You will have access to that information once the class schedule goes live and registration opens.

How to Access Services

To request interpretation, translation, training, or language classes:

  1. Complete the request form. Nashville/Davidson County officials, please select “County” on the form and not City.

  2. A project manager will contact you with details.

  3. Or call 615-741-7579 during business hours to speak directly with a project manager.

Important Funding Information

  • Services are free thanks to funding from CTAS and MTAS.
  • A limited budget is available each fiscal year.
  • Funding is first-come, first-served until it is exhausted.
  • There are no limits to the number of people per city/county that can take a World Language class or the TESL certification training**. Each individual is limited to one World Language class (Spanish, Arabic, or ASL) per term.
  • If an employee does not attend at least six out of nine world language classes in a term, TLC will invoice the employee’s city or county for the cost of the language class instead of CTAS or MTAS.  

*K-12 teachers are considered state employees and are not eligible for this program. TLC offers a 15% discount for teachers. Learn more on our discounts page.

**Davidson/Metro Nashville, Shelby/Memphis, Hamilton/Chattanooga, and Knox/Knoxville are not limited to the number of requests; however, we reserve the right to use funds for only a portion of the cost.

Request Form