United strong voice for Canada’s Language Training Industry

United strong voice for Canada's Language Training Industry
A strategic move towards the future

A new organization with a new identity for language training in Canada
PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER, 2007

On September 28, 2007, the memberships of the Canadian Association of Private Language Schools (CAPLS) and the Canada Language Council (CLC) – jointly representing over 180 ESL and FSL programs at universities, colleges and private language institutions across the country - made a landmark decision by voting to join together and form one unified national association and accrediting body for language training programs in Canada.

The ratification by the respective memberships was one of the final steps in the formation of the new association, which will be known as “Languages Canada/Langues Canada”.

Through this unprecedented cooperative effort, Canada will now benefit from having a strong, united and bilingual voice, positioning our country on the international stage as one of the pre-eminent providers of quality accredited English and French language training programs.

“This is a landmark occasion for Canada. ‘Languages Canada/Langues Canada' will provide a strong identity for the Canadian language training sector” says Gerry LaBelle, President of CAPLS. “By joining forces we will build on the strengths of both associations.”

“Languages Canada/Langues Canada will adopt the rigorous quality assurance scheme that is used by the Canada Language Council as the basis for the accreditation that is required of all member programs” added Tom Musial, co-President of the CLC. “In addition, the association will benefit from the strong marketing, organizational and advocacy know-how of our colleagues in CAPLS.”

With the announcement of the ratification, the first Board of Directors (comprised of the steering committee members from both associations) is pleased to officially unveil the logo of Languages Canada/Langues Canada.

Genevieve Bouchard, a Languages Canada/Langues Canada board member, explains “The logo design incorporates several key elements: it includes the name of the association in both of Canada's official languages; stylized maple leaves, one of Canada's strongest symbols; the colour blue, chosen to represent Canada's three ocean coasts; the green, to represent Canada's environmental responsibility and its forests; and the red reinforces the colour often
associated with Canada and the Maple Leaf.”

The newly formed association looks forward to working more closely with federal and provincial government partners and agencies on many important and valuable initiatives in the future.

Languages Canada/Langues Canada will celebrate this accomplishment at its inaugural meeting and conference in Ottawa in March of 2008.

Languages Canada / Langues Canada - First Board of Directors

For further information contact:

Linda Auzins
Administrator, Secretariat
Canadian Association of Private Language Schools
Association canadienne des écoles de langues privées
12880 - 54A Avenue
Surrey BC V3X 3C9 Canada
Tel: (604) 507-2577
email: info@capls.com

Barbara Judge
Service Delivery and Office Manager
Canada Language Council
Conseil des langues du Canada
Language Technologies Research Centre
283 Alexander-Taché Boulevard, Room F3010
Gatineau QC J9A 1L8 Canada
Tel: (819) 778-1701
Email: membership@c-l-c.ca