The Regional Language Centre (RELC), an educational project of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is located in Singapore. Since its inception in July 1968 SEAMEO RELC has not ceased to strive towards higher goals in the service of language education of the countries of Southeast Asia. The members of SEAMEO are: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar,  Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Spain are associate members.

SEAMEO RELC was originally located at Watten Estate but moved to its present premises in 1972. In 1977, the Centre became known as the Regional Language Centre reflecting its expanded role in language teacher education in the region.

The Centre is an autonomous international institution administered by a Director under the overall policy direction of the Governing Board. The Board is composed of one representative from each member country appointed by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Education of each country.

The main task of SEAMEO RELC is to assist in the development of language teacher education in the SEAMEO region, a region of rapid economic development that is fast integrating politically and economically. SEAMEO RELC provides leadership in the development of expertise and excellence in the field of language education and promotes cooperation between and contact among language professionals in the region and beyond. As the language centre of Southeast Asia, it faces the challenge of staying relevant to the needs of the countries that are richly diverse in languages and cultures. SEAMEO RELC aims to help the region in communicating across cultures and languages to foster international understanding through cooperation in language education.