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Specialist Education Providerfor Senior Secondary Languages in the ACT
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- Senior secondary language classes with CIT Solutions Centre for Modern Languages for 2024 commenced in Week 2 of Term 1. For details, the News page.
- Enquiries about programs for 2024 should be directed to the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), CIT Solutions, email CitsolLanguages@cit.edu.au. For details, select "Year 11 & 12 studies" under "Languages" on the CIT Solutions courses page or view the CML flier here .
- An information evening for students wishing to commence in Q2 (second quarter-year) of 2024 will be held by CIT Solutions on Monday 25 March 2024 from 6 pm. For details, see the Events page.
About CAL
Our purpose
The Canberra Academy of Languages was established in 2016 to expand opportunities for language learning in the Canberra region. Our vision is that students in the Canberra region, for whom it is a priority to consolidate and improve their proficiency in a language other than English, can do so by the time they complete secondary schooling.
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. For more details, see the CAL Charter. The CAL charter includes a statement on our commitment to language learner rights.
From 2017 to 2023, we delivered language courses leading to unit credits for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. Scores for courses completed by students with CAL will contribute to their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) if the scores are among their best four course scores, along with their other course scores from courses they undertake at their home schools or colleges.
Our students
Our programs commenced in 2017. We 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 are not available through their schools or other providers. Select the image on the right to download a video clip created with CAL students for the 2020 ANGLS Conference.
As of 2023, students were enrolled with us for courses in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Tamil. What they have in common is a belief in the value of becoming a capable communicator in at least one language other than English. Select the image on the right to download a video clip, originally created for the 2020 ANGLS Conference, where students discuss their perspectives on language learning.
Our teachers
Our teachers have TQI registration and are well qualified in the languages they teach. They support our students in using the target language, in continuous improvement in proficiency and intercultural capability and understanding, and in achieving the learning goals set out in the ACT senior secondary modern languages curriculum.Our values
We value excellence, equity and a civil society. For more details, please see the CAL Charter, which is also part of our Articles of Association (at Schedule 2). The CAL Charter outlines our purpose, rationale and values. It also states the basis on which we take decisions on classes to run each year and identifies our commitment to work with interested stakeholders on curriculum development.CIT Solutions CML senior secondary languages plans
The Canberra Academy of Languages is working with the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), CIT Solutions, in finalising transition arrangements for them to commence delivery of senior secondary language courses as a Specialist Education Provider from the start of 2024 .
For an overview of CIT Solutions CML senior secondary language programs, visit the CML senior secondary languages page or view the CIT Solutions CML senior secondary languages flier here.
Enrolment
Senior secondary students who enrol with CIT Solutions will gain unit credits that are recognised alongside their day-school programs in the same way as they did with CAL. Enrolment with CML will continue to be done via school-sponsored places or family-sponsored places. Places in CIT Solutions CML programs are open for commencement in 2024 in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Tamil. For more information, see the section above about CML plans.
- Costs with CIT Solutions CML in 2024 will be $625 per term. This equates to about $22 per hour of program delivery.
- Please email citsollanguages@cit.edu.au to register your interest in programs for 2024 and to receive information from CIT Solutions about enrolling.
- For program details, see our Programs page and our resources repository.
- See the section above for information about program provision.
Enrolment enquiries
To enquire about enrolment for 2024, please email your expression of interest to citsollanguages@cit.edu.au, and let CIT Solutions know:- your name and preferred email and contact number
- the prospective student's name
- the student's current year level in 2024 (Year 11 or Year 12)
- the student's day school in 2024
- the language the student would like to study
- if relevant, the Year 11-12 language units the student has completed already or will complete before commencing with us (not relevant for applicants currently in Year 10)
- brief description of studies, if any, already undertaken in the language
- in which calendar year the student would commence with CIT Solutions.
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.
More information
For more about learning languages, see:Other pages on CAL website
Convener's Reports
The Convener's Report is presented annually as part of the CAL End of Year Ceremony. Links to reports for previous years are provided below.- Convener's Report 2023
- Convener's Report 2022
- Convener's Report 2021
- Convener's Report 2020
- Convener's Report 2019
- Convener's Report 2018
- Convener's Report 2017
Links on Languages.Org.Au
Languages.Org.Au was a resource for learners of languages, managed by the Canberra Academy of Languages, with a home page that provides links to organisational contacts and links to schools of languages in Australia; and language-specific pages for several languages. CAL is no longer delivering language programs, so there are no ongoing updates on Languages.Org.Au, and web hosting will finish in 2024.CAL on social media
Other selected online resources
- Languages Course Framework, ACT BSSS
- Australian Curriculum: Languages rationale (ACARA)
- Second languages and Australian schooling (Lo Bianco 2009)
Contact
Canberra Academy of Languages
A: GPO Box 1627, Canberra ACT 2601
E: info@cal.act.edu.au
T: CAL Convener +61-2-6152 9140
T: CAL Director of School +61-2-6152 9145
W: https://cal.act.edu.au
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© Canberra Academy of LanguagesExpanding opportunities for language learning
in the Canberra region