Can we create a real Canadian Language Portal? I am looking for advice.

The public sector has a choke hold on official language learning in Canada. I recently posted about the Canadian Language Portal, which has cost the tax-payers of Canada 16 million dollars. This is just a small part of the billions that have been spent in Canada in the last few years, in the name of the twin noble causes of immigrant language learning, and bilingualism. This funding is controlled by public sector teaching institutions and immigrant service organizations. They decide how the money is spent....on themselves.

When I have approached these institutions about using LingQ, or even listing LingQ as a resource on the Canadian Language Portal, I have been told that LingQ cannot be considered because it charges a fee, or it is not an established college, or its teachers are not all certified. I learned recently that all government funded immigrant language instruction has to conform to a system called "Task Based Language Learning", in other words it has to take place in the classroom. There is no room for LingQ.

Or is there? I am trying to think of a way to persuade our government that things are changing. Language learning is happening on the Internet as a recent CNN article points out.  A study by the US Department of Education concluded that online learning is more effective than classroom instruction.

The Canadian government has even started a small pilot project, where immigrants will receive vouchers to spend on the language learning method of their choice.  If the public sector language industry controls the decision on which language learning services will qualify for vouchers, LingQ will be out of luck.

I wonder if the government can be persuaded to provide a little recognition for the fledgling private online language industry, including LingQ. Maybe not funding, but just some  acceptance and publicity. Communities like LingQ are thinking outside the box, and finding new solutions. As one idea, LingQ could be a language portal for Canadians, or could be part of another portal, only available to companies that are privately financed and not supported by tax-payers or charitable foundations.

LingQ may not be the answer for everyone, but there are no doubt some people, just a few, who would be happier improving their official language skills with LingQ, rather than sitting in a classroom and doing "Task Based Language Learning". And maybe that option should be there for them.

I am going to be thinking about what to propose to government and would appreciate any advice and suggestions.

Comments

[Street-Smart Language Learning]

I'd propose that they lose the requirement that the tools be Canadian. If the goal is to improve language learning in Canada, who cares whether the people who make the tools that do so are Canadian or not? Language learners aren't going to use a portal if they know all the best resources aren't even listed there because they're not made by Canadians.

[Jessica]

This "Language Portal" website is a joke!!!
I can hardly figure out what it is good for and how to navigate it. I tested it out to see if I could find some sort of French resource and all I could find was this: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tou/ollopgt-eng.asp "Usual expressions on the telephone."

Oh and also this: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/guide/info2/105-eng.cfm Bilingual Formatting for Documents? They didn't even spell Business correctly!! (Busniness Cards)

Both from (Discover -> Languages in Canada -> Bilingualism -> Tools and Resources)

Now these two things are both nice to know, but 16 million dollars? 16. Million. Dollars. I am just in disbelief.

[Valina]

I also checked out this portal site for some French resources myself, and i found the site to have nothing in terms or resources. This is the classic example of a pork-barrel project...

I think you need to really support your proposal with a lot of the research you have presented here, and emphasize the importance of input based learning verses classroom spoon-feeding.

I hope you can also have a meeting with your parliament representative about this and get their support. Maybe you can also include letters of recommendations from LINGQ users around the world to send in with your proposal (in French and English).

[Keith]

Why is there a need for a real Canadian Language Portal when we already have LingQ? Just go out into the community and tell everybody about LingQ. Tell it to the Chinese in Mandarin or Cantonese. Tell it to the Japanese in Japanese. Tell it to the Russians in Russian, etc, etc.

[Ilya L.]

To Steve, who wrote: "I wonder if the government can be persuaded... As one idea... I am going to be thinking about what to propose to (the) government and would appreciate any advice and suggestions."

Unfortunately I have no advice of a value, but I want to express my support to you, and the interest to your ideas. Please keep us informed.

To Keith, who wrote: "Why is there a need for a real Canadian Language Portal when we already have LingQ?"

You probably right, no any need, at least in the form the portal is now. However, there is a need to find support from the government. Steve is thinking of a way to find it. The support could hardly be found by explaining the government (or someone) it is a selfish waster.

[Wilhelm]

What's the point of creating an alternate language portal? I doubt many people use the existing one and fewer would use the alternate.

[Leslie]

I didn't know we had a Canadian Language Portal. I am working on an online course for EFL summer Ss. coming to Victoria, BC during the summer month. My course is only 1/5 of the total course and is an Online course. My topic is Canadian culture. Big and small c. which of course is the compliment to language learning.
The dearth of information on Canadian culture, resources, learning objects etc. is amazing. I can find excellent resources for Brits, Aussie, American ..in short just about everyone else but Canadians.

All the government sites are either dead linked, or written in such convoluted language, unusable for EFL Ss. Yet, Canada has lots of summer school, all year schools, high schools .. on and on for EFL learners. Where are the resources for these Ss. to find out about Canada? If the instructor can't find them then neither can the learners.
Youtube.ca has little Canadian content.

[Jeremy Temple]

Well, my opinion is this: the proof is in the pudding. If there was a way to show the Government how many people have achieved language skills with methods other than classroom teachings, I think they would have to take notice.
People like Mr. Steve and so many others on LingQ are a radiant beakon of proof. I mean, the language professor I had in school, was somewhat less than impressive, ad yes, she had a certificate.
I think the sheer motivation one gets from deciding what/when they wat to study is significant.
So maybe if there was a way to compile a list, or group of language learners willing to show their skills to an Official, maybe it will pique their interest. J

[Steve Kaufmann]

Leslie,
What is EFL Ss, what kind of Canadian culture content are you looking for, and finally why would you look on Canadian government websites to find it?