Students benefit from teachers’ second language learning

Edmonton … Alberta students are benefiting from enhanced second language instruction thanks to a Government of Alberta scholarship and bursary program that awarded a total of $85,000 to 24 current and future Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers.

The funding supported 12 language teachers who spent this past summer immersed in second language learning and are currently applying their knowledge to students in classrooms around the province. In addition, 12 students currently enrolled in an Alberta post-secondary teacher preparation program were awarded scholarships last spring to enhance their second language learning skills for future use in Alberta's classrooms.

“Remaining internationally competitive is critical to our province's future,” said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Doug Horner. “We must ensure Albertans have the skills needed to succeed in the global market—skills like knowledge and understanding of other cultures and fluency in other languages. Supporting language diversity among our future teachers will benefit their students, their communities and our province.”

Post-secondary students eligible for a Languages in Teacher Education Scholarship must be Alberta residents registered full time in a recognized Alberta teacher preparation program in the province. Recipients are nominated by their post-secondary institution based on academic achievement and the education program components they have taken that will prepare them to be a language teacher in Alberta after graduation.

To be eligible for a Language Teacher Bursary , teacher applicants must hold a valid Alberta professional teaching certificate and must have been teaching in the province for at least three years. In addition, applicants must either have a specialization in languages or show evidence of having begun the study of the language they will teach.

“Language instruction is an increasingly important element of our education system,” said Education Minister Ron Liepert. “ In today's global economy, it is imperative to provide our students with second language options. Research shows us that learning a second language can open doors to career opportunities and greater cultural awareness and understanding.”

The Language Teacher Bursary and Languages in Teacher Education Scholarship are examples of the more than 50 Alberta scholarship programs available to Albertans. More information about these and other scholarships is available at www.alis.gov.ab.ca/scholarships.

Ensuring a quality education system is one of the actions under Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to build a stronger Alberta. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans' quality of life, manage growth pressures, and provide safe and secure communities.

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