Canberra Languages Forum Update July 2026

 An Update with some language-related news and events in the ACT region. 

Overview below and full copy available HERE

Upcoming Events

• Online workshop: AI for Teachers of Community Languages K to Year 12 Wed 29 July 6.30pm
• Zoomlink: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/82489804838?pwd=tkzJ7cCbl4Sb6EYU2MGabm5HPaIVCj.1#success
• Teaching English Verbs with EAL/D Sat 8 August 2pm–4pm Belconnen
• ACT Modern Language Teachers Association Mini Conference Sat 15 August 8.45am-1.30pm Narrabundah
• Canberra Multilingual Poetry Mon 31 August 7pm–9pm Civic
• Panel discussion: Growing up with more than one language Mon 14 Sept 5.30pm–6.30pm ANU
• ACT Children’s Week 2026 theme: Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion
• Applications for grants to support CW events and activities open until Fri 11 September
• Call for nominations for ACT Children’s Week Theme Award

Other News

• Reduction in funding and support for ACT community language schools and their umbrella association
• Recent media coverage of the state of languages education in ACT schools
• Language Education Plan not fit for purpose
• Government accused of 'complacency' as public school language plan falls short
• Links to further commentary and media coverage HERE
• No Year 11 and 12 Indonesian program in ACT government schools in 2027
• Add your voice to a call for equitable provision of a continuous learning pathway for Indonesian across the public education system HERE
• Concern about the future of the Italian bilingual program at Yarralumla Primary School
• Recent reports released by the ACT Education Directorate:
• Language education in ACT public schools – 2025 snapshot
• Language Education Action Plan Activity Report (June 2026)
• For some observations about these reports: https://actbilingual.weebly.com/news.html
• Reduction in weekend access to ACT public libraries announced
• Online petition calling on the ACT government to increase investment in ACT libraries. Closing date: 15 September 2026

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

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 

Languages Forum Update January 2025

A short Update with details of some particularly language-focused events and workshops at the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra Friday 7- Sunday 9 February 2025.

Overview of Update

• Bilingual Story Times as part of Libraries ACT Festival Program
• Adult Multilingual Story Time Friday 7 February 6-7pm
• First Nation Story Time Saturday 8 February 10-10.30am
• Bilingual Story Times for children Saturday 8 February 10.30-11am
• Languages showcase Sunday 9 February
• Performances by Community Language Schools 10am-12noon
• Mother Tongue – Multilingual Poetry 12noon-12.50pm
• Fun with languages Sunday 9 February 1-3pm
• Free interactive activities for all ages
• Explore other sounds, scripts and how to be a ventriloquist
• Tongan language workshop: 3.30-4.30pm Sunday 9 February
• For more information about the above and the festival in general see festival program and map 

For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE

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

Languages Forum Update November 2024

 A short Update with some language-related news.  

For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE 

Overview of Update

CALLS FOR ACTION

• Contribute to an Investigation on the state of EAL/D education in Australian schools and EAL/D teaching courses at Australian universities
• Closing date: 2 December.
• Protest the proposed closure of Languages at the University of Wollongong
• Make use of the revamped National Languages Campaign and the ULPA

REPORTS FROM SOME LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND PROGRAMS

• Modern Language Teachers’ Association of the ACT
• Follow them on Facebook 
• Year 11 and 12 courses at CIT Solutions’ Centre for Modern Languages
• Email for more details and 2025 enrolments: CitsolLanguages@cit.edu.au
• ACT Bilingual Education Alliance
• See also facebook pages for ACTBEA and Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

Contact us at languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update August 2024

A short Update with some language-related news.  

For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

 
1. Raising Children in more than one language

• Panel-led discussion for families and others interested in bilingualism and bilingual education. 5.30pm Thursday 19 September
• Part of ANU Immersia 2024

2. Online information session: Studying Year 11 and 12 languages with CIT Solutions in 2025

• For MS Teams link email: CitsolLanguages@cit.edu.au
• For more about senior secondary language studies with CIT Solutions

RECENT EVENTS July 2024

3. Radio interview with 2 linguists about Multilingual families in Canberra

4. Mother Tongue – Multilingual Poetry

• A poetry open mic celebrating our multilingual community through poetry, storytelling and wordsmithing.

NEWS

5. Language education in ACT public schools 

•  Language Education Action Plan released by the ACT Education Directorate

6. . Languages in Review of Australia’s multicultural Framework

• Recommendation for a revitalised national language policy to ‘harness the immense potential of diverse languages used in Australia’
• Chapter on Language: supporting Australians for communicate
• Full copy of Review Report: Towards Fairness: A multicultural Australia for all

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

Contact us at languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update July 2024

A short Update with some language-related news. 

• For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE

1.July school holiday language camps for ACT students

• Virtual Korean and Japanese camps for Years 9 and 10  
• French winter camp for Pre-kindy to Teens

2. Mother Tongue - Multilingual poetry

• An evening to share and enjoy some of the many languages being spoken, learned and taught in the ACT. Monday 29 July 7pm-9pm

3. Free language conversation meet-ups for adults

• Chinese and Japanese for intermediate and advanced-level speakers. Email Claire at pingpingdandan8@gmail.com
• Weekly multilingual language exchange at PJs in the City (See also ABC news item October 2023)    

4 Links to other opportunities to learn, develop and practice languages

• For adults
• For children

5. Language progressions project

• developing milestones to identify student languages learning irrespective of school year or where the language is being learned

6. We are multilingual

• Research findings about the benefits of developing a multilingual identity and free resources for schools

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

                                                  Email: languagesact@gmail.com

Languages Forum Update April 2024

A short Update with some local language-related activities and other news. 

For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Mother Tongue - Multilingual poetry Open mic - an evening of poetry in some of the many languages being spoken and taught in Canberra. Monday 29 April 7pm-9pm
• Teacher of Italian required, ANU Centre for Learning and Teaching. More information from email clt@anu.edu.au
• ACT National Community Language Schools Day, Albert Hall, Saturday 11 May 11am - 1pm. More information from Manu at actclsa@gmail
• New Caledonia immersion trip for ACT teens with Alliance Française in Canberra, 5 - 13 October. Enrol before 30 April
• Learn more about the University of Sydney Institute for Community Languages (SICLE).
• A chance to be part of international research on the transmission of home languages in bilingual/multilingual families

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME 

Languages Forum Update February 2024

 A short Update with some language-related news.  For a full copy of the Update CLICK HERE 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

1. Languages at the National Multicultural Festival  

• Saturday 17 February
• Libraries ACT Civic Square: 10.30-11.30am Mandarin bilingual story time; 11.45am-12.45pm  Urdu bilingual story time
• CMAG Theatrette: 11.30am-12.30pm  Sing in French with Pauline; 1.30-2.30pm  Sing a song in Tongan
• Petrie Plaza Stage: 5.20-6pm Ukrainian poetry, song and dance

• Sunday 18 February
• Languages Showcase  10am-12 noon 
• Fun with Languages 10.30am-3pm  For all ages: Italian, French, Japanese (learn to be a ventriloquist), Sinhala, Serbian (write your name in Cyrillic), Welsh and Swahili 

2.  Annual Canberra International Mother Language Day Walk  

• Sunday 25 February 10am – 12.30pm. 
• More details from imlm.21feb@gmail.com

3.  A new year, a new language - or build on skills you already have

Browse some of the many opportunities to learn and practice your skills in English and a multitude of other languages in the ACT region. 

• For adults: https://actbilingual.weebly.com/language-programs-for-adults.html
• For children: https://actbilingual.weebly.com/language-programs-for-children.html

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

Languages Forum Update December 2023

A short Update with some language-related news.  

For a full copy of the update CLICK HERE

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Good news for Year 11-12 students wishing to learn languages not available through their schools – CIT Solutions is taking on the delivery of the senior secondary languages programs set up by the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL). 
• But what is happening to the ACT Education Directorate's Languages Education Action Plan? No news since its mention in an ABC News article in mid-August 2023 
• Student petitions protesting the proposed discontinuation of five European languages at Macquarie University: Croatian Modern Greek  and  Russian 
• ‘Languages in Australian Higher Education’ Symposium, Thursday 14 December 4-5.30pm Free and online option
• Learning the languages of our community, fantastic 30-minute discussion about languages on ABC RN on 29 November. 
• Survey on Language transmission in multilingual families 

FEEDBACK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUTURE UPDATES WELCOME

Languages Forum Update June 2023

 ​A short Update with local language-related events in June/July plus an opportunity for parents, teachers and students to get involved in the review of the National School Reform Agreement. 

 For full copy of Update CLICK HERE 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Canberra Festival of Languages, ​​Saturday 17 June, 10.30am-4pm
• come for the whole day or just drop in for the morning or afternoon. ​
• The role of languages in education, society, and the economy. ​Tuesday 20 June 6.30 – 8pm
• Online discussion from Tasmania but issues not unique to that state and Q&A open to all.
• Multilingual poetry workshop, ​Use all the languages you speak are learning to craft your own poems.Saturday, June 24, 10am -12:30pm
  

• Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry. Enjoy poetry in many languages: feature plus open mic.Saturday 1 July 4:30pm-6.30pm

• Review of the National Schools Reform Agreement - a chance to help shape the future of education in Australia 
• Australian Education Union and Australian Council of TESOL Associations call for EALD to be made an equity priority

Languages Forum Update May 2023

An Update with information about upcoming language-related events, activities and news. A host of things happening in Canberra this month with more to come in June and July! 

For more details CLICK on the electronic version 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Upcoming events 

• Little kids learning languages, ANU (in-person only) Friday 12 May 3.30pm - 5pm. Contact evan.kidd@anu.edu.au for more details
• Tapestry of Cultures Family Festival, NMA, Saturday 13 May 2023, 10am – 4pm
• Multilingual poetry spot  2.10pm-2.40pm
• Program Launch: Poetic City 2023 - Winter Edition, Civic, Saturday May 13, 2pm-3.30pm
• ACT Community Language Schools Open Day, Albert Hall, Saturday 20 May 10.30-1pm. Contact Manu at actclsa@gmail.com  for more details
• Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry Open mic,  Smiths Alternative, Monday 22 May 7pm – 8.30pm
• Poetry and Protest: Philippine Poetry Through the Years, Griffith ACT, Sunday 28 May 2pm-4 pm
• Festival of Languages, ANU Saturday 17 June, 10.30am-4pm
• International Symposium on Bilingualism, Macquarie University or online, Mon 26 – Fri 30 June,

Other news

• First accredited training course for ACT Community Language School teachers has begun
• News from Canberra Academy of Languages
• Seeking teacher of Japanese for Semester 2
• Involvement of German students in Tag der deutschen Sprache
• Proposal about languages education again lodged with ACT government
• Podcast ‘Respecting and amplifying all languages in our multilingual classrooms’

Languages Forum Update February 2023

A short Update with information about a number of upcoming language-related events and other language related news.   

Overview of Update 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Languages at the Multicultural Festival in Canberra City 
• Ancient Coptic Calligraphy Workshop, Friday 17 February 4pm
• Multilingual Story Walk and competition, Saturday 18 February 10am-5pm
• Tongan Languages Workshop, Saturday 18 February 11am
• Languages Showcase, Sunday 19 February 10am-12 noon (includes Mother Tongue poets at about 11.30am)
• For more details of these and other language-related activities use the search bar at https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/festival-program
• International Mother Language Day Walk, Sunday morning 26 February
• Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry Open mic, Monday 27 February 7pm-9pm 
  

OTHER NEWS FROM THE ACT

• Call for EOI to present at ANU Language Teaching Forum, to be held monthly on Tuesdays 4.15-5pm. Email Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au for details 
• New funding model for ACT Community Language schools yet to be announced.
• The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge Open to all ACT students preschool - year 12. Books can be in any language, registration required by Friday 17 March.
• A glimpse of the range of language programs in the ACT area for adults and children.
• Canberra Academy of Languages 

NATIONAL NEWS

• Focus on Languages in the recently released National Cultural Policy ‘Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place’  Particularly First Nations Languages but funding for Community Language Schools also mentioned. 

For full copy of Update click HERE

Languages Forum Update October 2022

A short Update with information about a number of upcoming language-related events and some language related news.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• ANU Language Teaching Forum, Monday 24 October 4.15pm. Contact Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au for Zoom link
• Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry Monday 24 October 7pm – 9pm
• Canberra Academy of Languages Information Evening Tuesday 25 October 6pm
• Book Launch: Speaking and Being, Thursday 27 October 6pm-7pm
• Tones and Hanzi: Pedagogy of modern Chinese Language Education 7, 9 and 14 November

NEWS

• Results of Sharing the Joy of Languages competition
• ACT Charter for Multiculturalism includes “The right to use, preserve and share your language"
• Vale Professor Carol Hayes

Full copy of Update available HERE

Languages Forum Update September 2022

Here is a short Update for September 2022 with some language related news and upcoming events.

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

News

• Canberra is becoming more multilingual 
• Draft ACT Language Education Action Plan 2022-2025 
• Increased support for ACT Community Language Schools 

Upcoming events

• Canberra Academy of languages (CAL) Information evening  22 September 2022
• Poetry on the move 22 – 26 September
• ANU Language Teaching Forum (LTF) 26 September: Bridging Indigenous Australia with Hispanic America through the Spanish classroom 
• Email Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au for details
• Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (COEDL) – End of Centre Event
• Public lecture: Waabarangara! Invigorating a community of speakers via performance

For full copy of Update CLICK HERE

If you have feedback, contributions for future updates, or would like to join the mailing list for these occasional updates, please email languagesact@gmail.com