International Languages Committee

International Languages Program

The Ontario Ministry of Education: “ is committed to ensuring that the philosophy of multiculturalism permeates all aspects of school life and that all children are able to see their own culture reflected in the curriculum. Since language is a primary vehicle for cultural awareness, understanding and expression, an important aim of the Heritage Languages Program is to help students to deepen their knowledge of the cultural content of the languages of study.”

Program History

• Heritage Languages Program, introduced in July, 1977, enabled school boards to offer non-official languages
• July 1989, legislation governing the offering of heritage languages programs in elementary schools was enacted
• Ministry of Education Resource Guide on Heritage Languages was developed in 1991
• October 1993, a change in terminology occurred: “Heritage Languages” became “International Languages”

International Languages Program is a Mandated, Academic, Valuable, Quality and High Impact Program offered by the Continuing Education Department

• An International Language is any language other than English and French
• The program is offered in addition to the regular school curriculum
• Enrollment is voluntary and open to all students (4 years of age and older)
• A community requires 25 signatures from interested parents to open a class
• The program is cost recovery

The International Languages Program:

• Enhances the inclusive nature of our school board by providing programs in languages of our student population and their heritages
• Validates the identity and heritage of all students and their families
• Provides essential ESL support by solidifying first language
• Provide useful links to diverse community associations that work in close collaboration with the school board
• Demonstrates a global perspective by welcoming this mandated program into the fabric of the system
• Empowers communities by instilling an appreciation for, and confidence towards multiculturalism objectives
• Illustrates the pedagogical significance of student languages within the whole educational experience

The focus of the Elementary Program is to offer children an opportunity to develop and/or maintain the ability to listen, speak and write a new language or the language of the home or heritage. In so doing the children will benefit by:

• Enhancing the concept of self and heritage
• Improving communication with parents/guardians/grandparents/family members
• Strengthening cognitive development through the knowledge of an additional language
• Learning and experiencing a new language and culture
• Building a bridge between the Canadian and heritage cultures.

In addition to various weekend language programs, OCDSB offers different International Languages at 11 elementary schools as After School Programs. This is an excellent opportunity for our learners to learn a new language and the culture of that language. Previous exposure to the language is not necessary.

The focus of the Secondary Program is to:

• Provide a valuable basis for courses in International Languages at the high school level (for credit)
• Give adults and secondary school students the opportunity to learn a new language or to develop and maintain a language other than English or French
• Prepare students for post-secondary studies in the fields of business, trade and communications
• Enhance student exchanges
• Develop students training skills for national and international opportunities.

Revised edition the International Languages Elementary Resource Guide will be coming out soon.