Language Training in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
From: National Defence
The Canadian Defence Academy (CDA) is the Training Authority (TA) for all language programs in the CAF. As such, we develop and maintain programs that are of the highest quality to meet the needs of the Defence mission. This includes the Qualification Standards (QS), the Training Plans (TP) and the entire curriculum for French and English languages and multiple foreign languages. We also enforce the standards on a national level for those programs.
Our programs aim to:
- Comply with the Canadian Official Languages Act, under the direction of the Director of Official Languages (DOL) (link functional only on DWAN) who is the Functional Authority (FA) for Second Official Language Education and Training (SOLET).
- Meet the operational requirements of the CAF at home and abroad.
- Enable the joint participation of Military Training Cooperation Program (MTCP) member countries in Peace Support Operations.
Second Language Training and Testing
The delivery of second language training is delegated to the environments (CA, RCAF, RCN) and to the Canadian Forces Language School (CFLS), who are responsible for managing the different language training centers across the country, under their respective commands.
For information, contact the Coordinators of Official Languages (COL) (link functional only on DWAN) or visit your local language training centre on the closest base
ALLIES
ALLIES is the online language training program developed by the Canadian Defence Academy for learning English and French as a Second Language. It is open to all CAF members and National Defence (DND) employees via D365 authentication and is available on DWAN and the general internet. It is available on all major systems (Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android) and, as such, can be used on both computers and mobile devices. Therefore, you can learn at your convenience, anywhere, anytime! It can be used on your own in autonomous mode or with a tutor as part of an official course in which you have been registered.
ALLIES is a fully developed curriculum with a structured progression at levels A and B with military and civilian content.
It has:
· an easy-to-navigate index that allows you to select activities based on your learning goals;
· interactive activities to practice grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking, and writing; and
· verification activities to understand your progression and to help you prepare for your Second Language Evaluation (SLE).
Accessing Allies
To start your language learning journey on your own, register in ALLIES in autonomous mode.
You may also be eligible for official language training with a tutor. To find out more, contact your COL.
Foreign Language Training and Testing
Foreign language training and testing (for languages other than English and French) are available to CAF personnel identified by their Career Manager (CM) when a particular ability is required in a specific foreign language. The delivery of foreign language training is delegated to the Canadian Forces Language School (CFLS).
Personnel who want to self-declare an ability in a foreign language must do so via their orderly room to ensure the information is entered into Guardian.
Visit the Language Programs Portal | CAF Campus