This program was created to give students the opportunity to learn about, and experience different cultures.

It is also an opportunity to learn simple ways to communicate in the target language , or to improve skills the students might already have.

The International Languages Program is delivered in different ways throughout the Toronto District School Board, but the guidelines are the same, here's some:

To expose the students to different cultures, traditions and costumes.

To introduce the new language and assist students in simple sentence structures, or to provide means to improve already existing skills.

To have the students experience different forms of art traditional in the culture being studied (music, drama, crafts etc.)

International Language Instructors are experienced professionals that are able to incorporate their programs with school and home room themes and projects.

There are many misconceptions about these programs, among parents, students, and sometimes even educators, which create some confusion at times.

Here are some:

"This program is only for students that are from the target background."

This statement is actually wrong. Quite some years ago, the program was called Heritage Language Program, and was geared more towards students of the particular background, although always ready to adapt to students from different backgrounds. The study of the language itself was more intense, and reading and writing followed firm guidelines according to student level.

Things changed since, then. The different name was not the only change.

The program had been opening more and more as students from various backgrounds were curious about different cultures ( which is completely natural in such a multicultural city). Curriculum changes followed, allowing more flexibility to adapt to those students who had never heard or spoken in that language.

Culture, as much as  language, became an important part of each program. Understanding differences between the two countries ( Canada and the target country), learning about different foods, music, climate, costumes and lifestyles, helped students to better understand friends, neighbours and classmates, and to be more tolerant about things done differently.

Today, the majority of language classes is made of students of so many different backgrounds that it would be impossible to categorise them trough the above statement.

Students learn and start to understand why their classmates might dress differently, or have different holidays, or eat such strange things, or simply seem to disregard personal space, so important to most Canadians.

This, in turn, creates students more thoughtful of others, and avoids many misunderstandings.

All this is toped of with the learning of a different language, and with it the understanding of the importance of communication, as well as geography and history related to the country and language being studied.

My child is not from the target background, what's the point of having to attend these classes?

What happened to general culture? Having the privilege of being able to broaden the students knowledge is the point. Help them get the tools for better communication and understanding the importance of communication in any language, learn about different countries, cultures and costumes, understand differences and learn to be tolerant of others. Now that doesn't sound that bad, does it?

We understand that you, as a parent want your child to have the best opportunities, and we're offering one more.

There is room for all kinds of learning and your child is certainly  not overworked just for attending these classes. There is actually a lot of effort put into the preparation of the classes so they are presented in such way that students don't feel pressured but are still encouraged to always do their best.

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The music used in this page is called "Coimbra" and it's quite known outside Portugal.

The midi sequence is by Fernando Brito Vintem and you can visit Midi Portugal for more wonderful music.