The development of a network

Over the past 40 years, Canada has seen a wide range of organizations emerge, whose mandate is to promote Canada’s linguistic duality. Who would have guessed in 1969 that by 2009 we would have so many allies, all across the country, that represent key links in building bridges between Canada’s official language communities? An example of the importance of this movement is the creation of the French as a Second Language Partner Network.

Since 2004, this network has brought together organizations representing parents, students and educators that embody, on a daily basis, the values associated with linguistic duality and, more specifically, learning French as a second language. The Network is a way for people to share their knowledge, activities and expertise in promoting Canada’s linguistic duality. The Network is currently composed of the following organizations:

• The Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers (CAIT) (in French only) is a national association that brings together players in the educational sector who are working in French immersion. CAIT supports the educational practices of immersion teachers, contributes to the development of educational methods in the field and promotes French immersion.
• The Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) is a national association that brings together second-language educators from all over the country. CASLT provides it members with professional development and information-sharing opportunities, and encourages research related to second-language teaching and its dissemination.
• Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion of French second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians. In addition to its national office, CPF has offices in all the provinces and territories.
• French for the Future is an organization that encourages high-school students to study and live in French, and forges links among such students. The organization holds local forums, an annual national forum for young ambassadors and a writing contest.
• The Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) is an organization that sets up exchanges, visits and forums for youth between the ages of 12 to 17. SEVEC’s mission is to provide young participants with educational programs related to exploring language, culture and community in order to develop their identity.