Curitiba, Brazil – March 13, 2018 -- Languages Canada and three French member universities - McGill University, Université de Montréal (UdM), and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) - were in Curitiba, Brazil Tuesday, March 13th for the official launch of the Programme Paraná Parle Français, and the launch of the Languages Canada - Paraná Speaks English Scholarship Program.
The event was presided over by His Excellency João Carlos Gomes, Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education of the State of Paraná. “We (the State government of Paraná) are investing in the internationalization process of state universities. This program, developed among the network of Paraná state universities, will stimulate direct and intensive actions in the university context, which will contribute to the establishment and implementation of international mobility programs.”
Following the launch of the program, representatives from McGill University, Université de Montréal (UdM), and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) delivered a comprehensive workshop for Paraná Parle Français program coordinators and professors, as a teaser to planned future collaboration on the program, focusing on proficiency testing, curriculum development, French language education pedagogy and methodology.
Maud Pinard Fréchette, Languages Canada’s Manager of French Programs delivered remarks during the launch on behalf of Gonzalo Peralta: “It is a pleasure for me to see this project launched because it marks a turning point in the French Canada-Brazil relationship, and I am grateful that it is spearheaded by Secretary Gomes and the State of Paraná. Three visionary Quebec universities members have come together with Languages Canada, in the spirit of collaboration, to build this innovative program in partnership with Paraná universities. This initiative could not have happened without the support of the Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie of Quebec.”
Financial support for the travel of the three participating Quebec universities was provided by the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie, which renewed its cooperation agreement with the State of Paraná in August of last year. Cooperation in education is a priority for both governments under this agreement.
Under the 2018 Languages Canada - Paraná Speaks English Scholarship Program, a total of 23 scholarships have been made available from LC member programs for Paraná Speaks English students, faculty and staff within the seven state universities of Paraná to undertake an immersive language education experience in Canada this summer. Hosting Canadian programs have offered scholarships that include 3-4 weeks of intensive English classes, homestay accommodation and options for extra-curricular immersion activities. The Paraná state government and universities will co-fund 14 of the 23 available scholarships. The combined estimated value of these scholarships is CAD $100,000.
Hosting Canadian programs include:
● English School of Canada, in partnership with the Canada Homestay Network (Toronto, Ontario);
● Académie linguistique internationale (Montreal, Quebec);
● The University of Toronto English Language Program, in partnership with The Canada Homestay Network (Toronto, Ontario);
● The Canadian College of English Language (Vancouver, British Columbia);
● Global Village Calgary, in partnership with The Canada Homestay Network (Calgary, Alberta); and
● East Coast Language College (Halifax, Nova Scotia.)
Of note, English School of Canada, in partnership with the Canada Homestay Network, will host all seven of the Paraná Speaks English Program Coordinators this July, one from each of the Paraná state universities, for a three-week program that combines intensive English classes, professional development and opportunities for internationalization partnership-building with ESC pathway partner universities and colleges.
Languages Canada congratulates its participating member programs for their visionary work in partnership with Paraná Speaks English and Paraná Parle Français. We wish to thank and congratulate our partner and friend - Dr. Eliane Segati Rios Registro - the Program Coordinator of the Paraná fala Idiomas (Paraná Speaks Languages) program - for her tireless work and collaboration in language education partnerships with Canada since the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between Languages Canada and the Paraná Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Education in March 2017.
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ABOUT LANGUAGES CANADA
Languages Canada is Canada’s national language education association representing more than 210 private and public members that offer accredited English and French programs. Overall, more than 135,000 students come to Canada every year to learn English and/or French. Language programs generated nearly $1.44 billion in 2016 in export revenue for the Canadian economy.
Contact:
Rachel Lindsey
Director, International Affairs and Operations
rlindsey@languagescanada.ca
+1-613-794-7224
