Canberra Languages Forum Update April 2026

 A short Update with some language-related news. For a full copy click HERE

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Upcoming Events

• Online forum for EAL/D and classroom teachers AI in Teaching & Assessment with Liz Easton Thursday 14 May 4pm-6pm
• ACT Community Language Schools Open Day, Saturday 16 May 11am - 1pm
• Free Webinar Languages learning supports Literacy and Numeracy skill development Wed 18 May 7pm-8pm
• Dr Gianfranco Conti - Using Extensive Processing Instruction Tues 26 May 9am-4.30pm
• Book launch Languages, Cultures and Schools Thurs 28 May 5pm-6pm

Other News

• Continuing advocacy to improve Year 12 language pathways for ACT students
• A chance to read the submissions to the Inquiry into the petition to the ACT Legislative Assembly re Access to 11-12 ATAR language courses in 2026 
• Access to public hearings for the inquiry scheduled for Tues 28 April
• Current list of Bilingual Playgroups in the ACT
• Main languages spoken at home by school-aged students in the ACT
• Call for proposals for activities at Immersia 2026 Engaging with Asia and the Pacific at the ANU
• Some local opportunities to develop your language skills
• German with Das Zentrum and at the 2026 German Film Festival in Canberra 6 – 27 May
• French with the Alliance Française in Canberra
• Free Indonesian classes with the Indonesian Embassy 11 May – 30 June
• for teenagers/adults
• for children aged 4-10 years 
• Other opportunities to learn and practice language skills in the ACT
• for  adults and 
• for children 

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME
Contact us at languagesact@gmail.com

Canberra Languages Forum Update February 2026

An overview of the latest Update.  For full copy CLICK HERE 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Upcoming events

• Languages at the 2026 National Multicultural Festival
• ACT Community Language Schools Showcase Saturday 7 February  
• Bilingual Story Time Saturday 7 February  
• Full festival program Friday 6- Sunday 8 February: https://multiculturalfestival.com.au/whats-on/
• Salon Canberra Ideas Forum
• Dialect to dialogue: How language builds civic trust Thursday 19 February 
• International Mother Language Day Walk Saturday 21 February 
• Facebook page or email imlm.21feb@gmail.com
• National Carillon Recital
• A musical celebration of International Mother Language Day Saturday 21 February 
• Multilingual Poetry Monday 30 March 
• Facebook page or email mothertonguemic@gmail.com

Other news

• Libraries ACT seeking Bilingual Story Time presenters  
• Applications close Monday 9 February 2026
• A New Academic Year  – a chance to start/continue your language learning journeys
• Check out some local opportunities for adults and for children 

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

Contact us at languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update November 2025

An overview of the latest Update.  For full copy CLICK HERE

CALL FOR ACTION

• A petition calling for continuation of a centrally delivered senior secondary language education program in the ACT
• Background and other ways to advocate HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Heritage/Community Languages Education: New Directions 
• Free online conference 5pm-6pm Tuesday and Thursdays 4-27 November
• Link for Registration
• France in the Pacific Friday 7 November, 6-8pm, Alliance Française Canberra. .
• Bilingual French/English discussion over a glass of wine
• Multilingual Poetry Open Mic Monday 10 November 7pm-9pm, Smith's Alternative, Civic
• An evening to celebrate some of the many languages spoken, taught and being learned in Canberra
• Japanese Film Festival. 
• Wednesday 12 – Tuesday 18 November, Palace Electric, New Acton
• Dates and booking
• Conference of Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT) 
• Thurs 20-Sat 22 November, ANU

OTHER NEWS

• Opening soon: Federal grants to support community languages education
• Extension Round for new and existing community language schools
• To support more students to become fluent in Asian languages to Years 11 and 12

Feedback or items for future updates?  Email Mandy at languagesact@gmail.com 

Languages Forum Update September/October 2025

An overview of the latest Update. For full copy CLICK HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Bilingual Story Times at Libraries ACT Nepali and Mandarin
• Alliance Française Canberra Spring Camp Mon 29 September-Fri 10 October
• International Translation Day 30 September Some online events
• Bilingual (Chinese/English)Toastmasters Club for Canberra
• Introduction: Sun 12 October 11am
• Canberra Writers Festival
• Thursday 23–Sunday 26 October Full program
• Sunday 26 October: Inaugural Kids and YA Day
• Itstetl Tonatij: Obsidian Sun: Four languages poetry collection
• Official launch Sat 1 November 1pm

OTHER NEWS

• Centrally-delivered senior secondary languages programs in the ACT
• Decision re future imminent?
• National Snapshot of Community Language Schools in Australia
• Survey for CLS principals, coordinators and committee members in the ACT and nationwide

To join the mailing list for these occasional Updates or to provide feedback, comments or submit items for future updates, email languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update July 2025

An overview of the latest Update. For a full copy click HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS IN CANBERRA

• Workshop: Building on Students’ Strengths, Sat 9 August 2–4pm
• Professional Development for languages teachers, Sat 9 August 9am–12.30pm
• Multilingual Poetry Open Mic, Mon 11 Aug 7–9pm
• Inaugural 2025 Canberra Writers Festival Schools Day, Thurs 23 October
• Conference of Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT), Thurs 20-Sat 22 November
• Multilingual films
• Palace Electric Cinema: Scandinavian Film Festival 11 July–3 August, Italian Film Festival, 19 September–16 October
• National Film and Sound Archive, Fri 1–Sun 3 August Five films from Asian Film Archive
• Taiwan in Australia Film Festival, Dendy Cinemas, Sat 30-Sun 31 August

OTHER NEWS

• Uncertain future for ACT centrally-delivered senior secondary languages programs
• Flyer to support advocacy efforts for programs to continue
• ANU CIW China Studies Fellowship Program, closing date 27 July
• Semester 2 and Term 3 language programs about to begin!Some links to local opportunities to develop your multilingual skills

To join the mailing list for these occasional Updates or to provide feedback or comments, email languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update May 2025

A short Update with some language-related news.  

For a full copy of the Update: click HERE

Overview of Update

• ACT Community Language Schools National Open Day, Sunday 11 May 10.30am -1pm
• German Film Festival 30 April – 21 May
• Keno for Kids plus teaching resources
• Stand Up Comedy in French with Tania Dutel 20 May 7.30pm-8.30pm
• Bilingual Trivia Night (English and German) Friday 13 June 7.30pm-9.30pm
• Events through the Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages ACT
• What Makes English Hard? with Dr Misty Adoniou, Thursday 15 May 3.30pm-4.30pm (online)
• Effective Teaching & Listening Lessons Thursday 29 May 5:30 – 7:30pm (online)
• 2025 Immersia at ANU 8–19 September looking for volunteers and ideas
• Russian-Speaking Playgroup ACT Saturdays 10am-12noon
• Other language-based playgroups in the ACT

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

• Contact us at languagesact@gmail.com

Multilingual Poetry Open Mic

 Enjoy a feast of languages at the first Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry open mic for 2025.

• Monday 10 March 7pm-9pm
• Smith’s Alternative Alinga Street Canberra
• Cost $10/$5  

Featuring poetry from Canberra's own CJC Blue Bells Tanka Group with an introduction by Naoko and John Lamb.

• Email mothertonguemic@gmail.com to secure an open mic spot
• 4 minutes to share a poem in another language or mix of English and other language/s.

More details at Facebook page and in poster HERE