Canberra Academy of Languages – Home
Former Specialist Education Provider for Senior Secondary Languages in the ACTOrigins and transition
At the end of 2023, the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL) completed its seventh and final year of program delivery. Since that time, throughout 2024 and 2025, equivalent programs have been delivered by the Centre for Modern Languages (CML) at CIT Solutions.
To enquire about the CML's senior secondary language programs, please contact CIT Solutions, Phone: (02) 6207 0633, or visit the Senior Secondary Languages page at the CIT Solutions CML Language Hub.
Concept
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.
- CAL 2023 Report
- CAL 2022 Report
- CAL 2021 Report
- CAL 2020 Report
- CAL 2019 Report
- CAL 2018 Report
- CAL 2017 Report
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.