Canberra Academy of Languages

Some assertions made in the ACT Legislative Assembly senior secondary languages inquiry hearing sessions require responses. See https://cal.act.edu.au/news.htm for more about these.

News - Canberra Academy of Languages News from the Canberra Academy of Languages - this year and previous years.

Languages inquiry hearings transcript on assembly website
The transcript of the hearings held on 28 April 2026 on access to senior secondary language courses is now available on the Legislative Assembly website at https://www.hansard.act.gov.au/Hansard/11th-assembly/Committee-transcripts/sp21.pdf. We will publish notes relating to some matters of significance based on the transcript in the near future.

ABC News published an article yesterday about NSW online school Aurora College (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-14/nsw-online-public-school-expands-hsc-courses/106676192), which from next year will assist NSW public schools experiencing lack of staffing or resources to offer selected specialist senior subjects by providing HSC courses in virtual mode for New South Wales public school students.

Aurora College has confirmed that the courses are only for NSW government school students and that they do not run language courses. The planned NSW programs will not provide an alternative strategy for the ACT government with senior secondary languages.

Region News published an article about the ACT Legislative Assembly's languages inquiry on the weekend, quoting the Education Minister as saying language education isn't a priority right now (https://region.com.au/delivering-foreign-languages-in-public-schools-not-a-priority-right-now-government/961626).

That is a summation of the government's regrettable position at present on provision of a central delivery option for senior secondary language courses, but when the standing committee delivers its report, the government should engage constructively with the committee's recommendations.

There are points relating to some details in the Region report that should be noted. See those points on the News page on CAL website (https://cal.act.edu.au/news.htm).

Videos of yesterday's hearings on access to senior secondary language courses are now available on the Legislative Assembly website: https://broadcast.parliament.act.gov.au/vod/hearing.

broadcast.parliament.act.gov.au

Hearings are taking place today with the inquiry by ACT Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Social Policy on senior secondary languages education and the need for a central delivery option to supplement programs in day schools. For details, see https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/committees-11th-assembly/social-policy/inquiry-into-e-pet-077-25-access-to-11-12-atar-language-courses-in-2026 (the committee website). Select the "Hearings and transcripts" tab.

Inquiry into E-PET-077-25: Access to 11-12 ATAR language courses in 2026 - ACT Legislative Assembly We acknowledge and pay respects to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We value their contribution to the life of our city and to the Canberra region...

Submissions to the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Social Policy's inquiry about senior secondary language have now been published on the assembly website. There are 30 submissions. Look here for an update soon about hearings with the committee.

The ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Social Policy is planning to hold hearings on Tuesday 28 April for its inquiry into senior secondary languages. Please contact the CAL Convener if you would be available to attend a panel session for parents and students or alumni between 1 pm and 1:45 pm on that day (TBC, not yet confirmed).

Closing date extended: The Standing Committee on Social Policy is extending the due date for submissions to its inquiry into E-Petition 077-25: Access to 11–12 ATAR language courses in 2026. The deadline for submissions is now Friday, 10 April 2026. The Committee is particularly interested in hearing from students and community members about their experience of the changed language offerings.

Canberra Academy of Languages Home Page Canberra Academy of Languages Home Page.

Mr Thomas Emerson, Chair of the ACT Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Social Policy, advised us today that the Committee has resolved to undertake an inquiry into the petition relating to access to 11-12 ATAR language courses. Submissions to the inquiry are open, until 5 pm on 2 April 2026. See https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/committees-11th-assembly/social-policy/inquiry-into-e-pet-077-25-access-to-11-12-atar-language-courses-in-2026.

Please contact either us or the office of Thomas Emerson MLA if you would like to provide input for the inquiry. For more information about the petition and the need for a provider for central delivery of senior secondary language courses, see the posts below.

Inquiry into E-PET-077-25: Access to 11-12 ATAR language courses in 2026 - ACT Legislative Assembly There are few rules for submissions, only that they must be relevant, prepared for the committee and not published elsewhere. Please include your name and contact details (preferably your phone number, and postal or email address). Send your submission in either digital or physical form to one of th...