Thursday
Oct 06, 2011
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BVC fills immigrant education gap in Banff, Canmore
CALGARY – Bow Valley College (BVC) is responding to community demand by introducing Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) courses for the first time ever in Banff and Canmore.
The program, which is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, helps immigrants become active members of Canadian communities by improving their language skills, knowledge of the workplace, and their understanding of community culture.
"Bow Valley College's LINC programs address a rising need for specialized immigrant education in Banff and Canmore," says Cari-Ann Roberts, Team Lead for BVC's English as a Second Language programming in the Bow Corridor. "Community stakeholders and English language learners have advocated for English language classes in the area for a number of years."
"This offering is the result of the College's regional outreach work with numerous organizations to assess and meet the education and training needs of diverse communities of learners throughout the region."
BVC has worked with the recommendations and support of agencies such as the Bow Valley Learning Council, Bow Valley Literacy Program, and the Town of Banff to bring LINC classes to the area.
Learners enrolled in the classes are from many different countries including Poland, Belgium, Germany, Argentina, Columbia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Japan, China and the Philippines.
Eighteen students started their first day of classes at BVC's campus locations in Canmore on Oct. 3, and in Banff on Oct. 4. The classes will run through to the beginning of December.
Media are invited to attend classes in both Banff and Canmore. The Canmore campus is located in the provincial building on Railway Avenue and the Banff campus is located in the YWCA on Spray Avenue.
For more information regarding LINC classes in Canmore and Banff, or to arrange a visit, contact Cari-Ann Roberts at croberts@bowvalleycollege.ca or 403-678-3125.
