The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has launched two language-focused initiatives aimed at preparing professionals and young students for a more globally connected future. The initiatives — the School of Business Languages and StepUp English — combine professional skill development with a wider social-impact objective of making language education more accessible across Sri Lanka.
Business Language School to equip professionals for global opportunities
The newly launched School of Business Languages is designed to help chartered accountants, corporate executives and other professionals develop stronger communication skills, linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural competence.
CA Sri Lanka said that technical expertise alone is increasingly insufficient in today’s interconnected business environment. Professionals working across borders need the ability to communicate confidently, understand different cultural contexts and build relationships with international clients and partners.
The school will initially offer Foundation in Chinese for Business Professionals, beginning in September 2026, followed by Business English for Professionals in October. The institute plans to expand the programme further with courses in Arabic and French, creating opportunities for professionals to develop language skills relevant to international business markets.
The initiative is intended to make language a practical professional advantage rather than simply an additional academic qualification, helping participants communicate, collaborate and operate more effectively in an increasingly borderless business environment.
StepUp English takes the initiative beyond professionals
Alongside the professional language school, CA Sri Lanka has launched StepUp English, a national CSR initiative aimed at students aged 15 and above.
Unlike the paid professional programmes, StepUp English is focused on widening access to language education by providing free English-language learning opportunities to young people across Sri Lanka. The initiative seeks to strengthen students’ communication abilities and confidence while helping them access future opportunities in education, employment and personal development.
CA Sri Lanka President Tishan Subasinghe said the organisation has a responsibility to equip the next generation with skills and confidence that can help them take advantage of opportunities in an increasingly globalised world.
Connecting professional development with social impact
The two initiatives represent a broader approach by CA Sri Lanka to education and capability building. While the School of Business Languages focuses on strengthening the global competitiveness of professionals, StepUp English extends the organisation’s efforts into the wider community through CSR.
The institute believes that stronger communication skills can help bridge opportunity gaps, particularly for young people who may otherwise have limited access to quality language learning.
The launch also comes as CA Sri Lanka continues to expand collaboration with other professional institutions. Last month, the institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation between the accounting and legal professions.
With programmes spanning Chinese, English and future offerings in Arabic and French, alongside a free nationwide English initiative for students, CA Sri Lanka is positioning language education as both a career-development tool and a social-impact intervention.
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