WNCP Projects

Western Canadian Protocol Projects in International Languages

International Languages
At a February 1996 meeting, the Western Canadian Protocol (WCP) Deputy Ministers of Education approved, in principal, a proposal for collaboration in international languages. The need for language programming is growing in all jurisdictions as students and parents realize the importance of languages in the global workplace and for personal development. Each province and territory is facing the need to provide language programs in many languages, but for relatively small populations of students. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have undertaken the following four joint projects in international languages under the Western Canadian Protocol.

Project 1: Making Mova i rozmova Available to Students
The WCP Ukrainian language Mova i rozmova materials—student books, teacher guides, filmstrips and audiocassettes—were developed and piloted under a previous agreement. Under the WCP they were revised, published and distributed. This project was carried out in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Winnipeg. Manitoba has arranged for the transfer of all illustrations to CD–ROM format. These illustrations were combined with the voice track from the original audiocassettes to produce an instructional video. Saskatchewan arranged for the revising and printing of the student workbooks and will also arrange for distribution of the resource. Mova i rozmova is intended for students studying Ukrainian as a second language.

Project 2: Curriculum Framework for Second Language Courses in International Languages
This WCP project involved the development of a generic, levels-based curriculum framework for bilingual programs in international languages, with general and specific learner outcomes and illustrative examples. The document is written in English and is applicable to Kindergarten to Grade 12 programs. This framework complements the Western Canadian Protocol framework for English language arts. The framework was published and distributed in June 1999.

Project 4: Interprovincial Information Base for International Languages
This WCP project involves the development of a format for an interprovincial information base on international language education, using Internet home page initiatives in each jurisdiction. Alberta has designed an International and Native Languages home page and has shared this as a template with the other jurisdictions. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are in the process of making their information on languages available on the Internet.

International and Native Languages Home Page	Western and Northern Canadian Protocol Home Page

 

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