Canberra Academy of Languages – Home

Former Specialist Education Provider for Senior Secondary Languages in the ACT

Origins and transition

At the end of 2023, the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL) completed its seventh and final year of program delivery. Throughout 2024 and 2025, equivalent programs were delivered by the Centre for Modern Languages (CML) at CIT Solutions and its parent organisation, the Canberra Institute of Technology. CIT did not enrol new students in 2026, and only Year 12 students who previously enrolled are able to partipate in CIT language courses this year.

For news about what is happening with senior secondary language programs after the closure of CIT Solutions, including an inquiry by the Social Policy Committee of the ACT Legislative Assembly, see the CAL News page.

The committee held hearings on Tuesday 28 April 2026 for its inquiry about senior secondary language courses. For details, see the CAL News page. Latest updates:

Some assertions made in the inquiry hearing sessions require responses. See the CAL News page for more about these.
The transcript is now available on the Assembly website from the inquiry hearing sessions about senior secondary languages – link posted to the CAL News page on 20 May 2026. See the CAL News page for details.
Region News published an article on Saturday 2 May about the Legislative Assembly inquiry on senior secondary languages. We commend them on their ongoing coverage of this matter. There are some points that should be noted for a more complete understanding. See the CAL News page for more about this.

Concept

From 2017 to 2023, CAL provided courses for Year 11-12 students and early access students (high school students commencing selected senior secondary subjects early) to continue learning in their chosen languages, where these courses were not available through their schools or other providers. CAL was a Specialist Education Provider, registered with the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) throughout 2017 to 2023, preparing students as local and global citizens.

We delivered language courses leading to unit credits for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Scores for courses completed by students with CAL contributed to their ATAR if the scores were among their best four course scores, along with their other course scores from courses they undertook at their home schools or colleges.

As of 2023, students were enrolled with us for courses in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Tamil. What they had in common was a belief in the value of becoming a capable communicator in at least one language other than English.

Historical records

Below are links to the Convener's Reports for 2017 through to 2023. The Convener's Report was presented annually as part of the CAL End of Year Ceremony. These provide an overview of the trajectory of program delivery throughout those seven years.

Why learn languages

Learning languages provides cognitive, social and functional benefits. Mastering communication skills in another language delivers benefits that include:

Cognitive benefits

Improved thinking skills, with benefits in other learning areas and in broader life experiences
A better understanding of how languages work, including English
An understanding that other languages differ from English and an improved capacity to learn additional languages
Direct access to literature, music, film and other expressions of culture in the arts and humanities through the target language
Access to a new frame of reference and perspective for understanding and interpreting the world.

Social benefits

Ability to interact more effectively with speakers of the target language and to participate more effectively in the settings where the target language is used, in travelling, studying and working
A greater capacity for intercultural understanding
Greater understanding and acceptance of diversity
Insight into the learner's own identity, values, heritage, and culture
A richer community culture and enhanced social cohesion.

Functional benefits

Broader employment opportunities, in both local and global contexts
Greater collective capacity for the community in international relations, trade and strategic negotiations.