Ottawa Catholic School Board offers International Languages Program
The Ottawa Catholic School Board offers a free International and Indigenous Languages Program every Saturday morning (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) from September to June, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education. You can register any time throughout the school year! A summer program is also offered Monday to Friday in the month of July at a number of sites.
If you’re asking yourself, why should I enroll my child in this program, the reasons are endless. Student success includes thriving in a global society, and access to more than one culture and language enriches the lives of students, families and the community. Think about this: if a child learns to speak Spanish, they will be able to talk to 400 million more people than if they don’t! That number climbs to a billion if they learn Mandarin! Research indicates learning a second or third language has a positive effect on all aspects of a child’s educational development.
The International and Indigenous Languages Program develops language skills while promoting a sense of community. Learning a second language builds acceptance of world cultures and fosters empathy. OCSB International and Indigenous Languages Program is available to all children of elementary age (starting at age four) regardless of their language background or which school board they attend. Along with learning another language, students may participate in many fun activities such as storytelling, role-playing, writing/speech contests, dance, conversation practice, sports and more!
For more information on languages offered and locations, and to download a registration form and school year calendar, visit conted.ocsb.ca. Have questions? Please call us at 613-228-3338.