After years of support and encouragement from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFAIT) and CEC Network, a process began in 2006 to explore the opportunity to bring together existing language education associations CAPLS (Canadian Association of Private Language Schools) and CLC (Canada Language Council). In 2007, a joint task force was created. CAPLS and CLC voted to create a new association that would include all public, private, English and French accredited language education program members. A steering committee was formed with equal representation from both associations and a representative from AILIA. In 2008, a set of bylaws and a definitive agreement was approved resulting in the incorporation of the new association, Languages Canada.

Purpose

To be the voice of the Canadian language education sector.

Mission

To promote quality, accredited English and French language education in Canada, both nationally and internationally.

Vision Statement

To be internationally recognized as the symbol of excellence, representing Canada as the number one destination for quality English and French language education.

On behalf of all of our stakeholders, we conduct world-class research to ensure the effectiveness and success of the language education sector. As Canada’s language education sector representative, we strive to keep all stakeholders informed and up-to-date about the language education sector in Canada and internationally. To do this, we conduct extensive research on the latest trends, exchange knowledge and best practices to enhance the effectiveness and success of the sector.

Code of Conduct

All Members of Languages Canada will, as a condition of membership, continuously adhere to the following Code of Conduct:

• Ensure that all applicable laws and regulations for the jurisdiction in which the Program is located are followed at all times;

• Ensure that all staff, students and agents are knowledgeable about Languages Canada’s Accreditation Standards;
• Recognize, respect and promote the diversity of culture and ethnicity inherent to a program’s employees, students and peers;
• Always provide accurate information about programs, services and academic expectations;
• Ensure that all marketing materials and websites contain accurate disclosure and strictly avoid publication or posting of misleading or deceptive claims;
• Make all fees, terms and conditions, including the refund policy, available in advance of a student registering;
• Ensure that all agents and agent materials fully and accurately represent your programs, services, terms and conditions;
• Work only with reputable agencies;
• Honour, without restriction, all of the representations and agreements made by the program to students or agents;
• Not knowingly make false or misleading statements about other programs, students or agents;
• Deal with all requests, criticisms and complaints in an unbiased and timely fashion;
• Ensure that Languages Canada’s Dispute Resolution Policy or a public institution’s internal dispute resolution policy is distributed to and understood by staff, students and agents as a means to address unresolved disputes.

In the event of a school closure, Languages Canada members agree to:

• Work with Languages Canada staff to minimize the consequences of such a closure on affected students;
• Work with Languages Canada staff to offer replacement programs to affected students;
• Provide alternative replacement programs to affected students that are equivalent to the program lost by the affected students, to the extent possible;
• Not charge affected students for programs which are equivalent to those programs lost due to the school closure.

By-laws and Membership Policies

By-laws (2018)

Code of Conduct

Dispute Resolution Policy

Logo Website Acceptable Use Policy

eCAP™ - Education Completion Assurance Plan

LC Conditions of Membership