What is the CLA?

The Canadian Languages Association (CLA) / L’Association canadienne des langues (ACL) is a national organization whose objectives include: to promote the development and enhancement of international/heritage languages across Canada; to strengthen the framework for communication and coordination among international/heritage language organizations, and to promote the teaching of international/heritage languages within the mainstream/public educational systems across Canada.

CLA is committed to working in cooperation with all language and cultural associations, educational institutions, government departments/ministries, business groups, and community stakeholders at both the provincial and federal levels to promote the value and importance of heritage/international languages for all Canadians.

Role of the CLA

Multiculturalism and multilingualism are the strength and heart of our Canadian society, and community-based languages education plays such an important role in intercultural understanding. Multiculturalism and multilingualism also promote peace, cooperation and respect for one another locally, nationally and internationally. Canada is admired around the world for its approach to multiculturalism.

The CLA believes it is time for the Government of Canada to invest in this policy. Our goal is to continue to urge the federal government to return to sustainable and predictable funding for the development and promotion of linguistic and cultural learning in order to enable organizations like the Canadian Languages Association, provincial and regional language umbrella associations and community-based language schools. Sustainable financial support will help these organizations address important linguistic and cultural community needs on a planned and ongoing basis.

Let’s examine a few of the specific issues that a viable CLA will take the lead in managing:

Issue: Rebirth of a national organization promoting international / heritage language education.

CLA Role: Revisit and clearly articulate the CLA’s vision, mission, goals and operation Develop a new Action Plan and National Strategy for CLA.

Issue: The promotion of international language education varies greatly throughout the country with provinces having various degrees of commitment or understanding of the importance of this skill to the general public.

CLA Role: Provinces need to be attentive to language education and give it more priority as a building block for future Canadian society. Research (e.g. Cummins) has continuously indicated that languages contribute to personal growth, educational success and career enrichment whether the target language be new or of one’s heritage. CLA will act as lead advocate in this regard.

Issue: Promoting international language education at the national level.

CLA Role: The CLA concerns itself with the survival, promotion and cross-sharing of international / heritage language programs across Canada. The CLA has also acted as a well-informed voice for the promotion of multilingualism at the federal level and informs the public and policy-makers of the benefits of multilingualism to all aspects of Canadian society.

Issue: Communications Strategy: Connecting all of the independent organizations, bodies, etc. connected with international / heritage language education.

CLA Role: The CLA is fortunate to have various provincial associations, district school boards and University