History of The Chinese Lingual-Cultural Centre of Canada
The Chinese Lingual-Cultural Centre of Canada (CLCCC) was incorporated in 1984 in the Province of Ontario. CLCCC has been operated with a national scope with a mandate to promote Chinese language and culture in Canada. The main activity that CLCCC has been sponsoring is publication of Chinese learning and teaching materials for students in elementary and secondary levels in both public and independent schools in Canada. Multiculturalism Program, Secretary of State, Canadian Heritage of Government of Canada initially and partially funded the national project on publishing Chinese textbooks and complimentary exercise books. The books have been well received and used by over 150 schools in Canada.
Another important activity, mandated by CLCCC, is teacher training for Chinese language programs across Canada. For this reason, CLCCC was the key-sponsor for seven national conferences on Chinese language education in the past 24 years with the co-sponsorships from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Toronto and in Vancouver, Ministry of Education in Ontario, Association of Chinese Language Education, and many major organizations and corporations in Canada. These national conferences were held at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) of University of Toronto and University of British Columbia with 350 participants from different provinces in Canada. The participants were youth, teachers (both from minority language schools and mainstream system), administrators, university professors, researchers, parents, members of racial and ethno-cultural organizations and representatives from school boards, and the business community,
CLCCC has also organized at least 10 delegations to travel from Canada to China for educational and cultural exchanges. The delegations included Members of Parliament from the Government of Canada, officers from Ministry of Education in Ontario, Directors of Education, school superintendents, principals and trustees from various district school boards. These delegations were arranged by CLCCC with the financial support of the Overseas Office of PRC in Beijing. These exchanges were very reciprocal between Canada and PRC, both culturally and educationally, and they were effective in promoting the quality and status of Chinese language education across the nation.
Participation in public debates on the importance of international languages and education is a crucial role for CLCCC. CLCCC has been active in co-operating and partnering with organizations of different languages in advocating international languages and education for all students in elementary and secondary schools. In 1993 in Ontario, CLCCC presented a position paper on “Education for Students of Chinese Descent“ to a public hearing consisted of commissioners appointed by the Ministry of Education in Ontario. The message of this position paper was later included in the publication of an educational document entitled “Love of Learning“ released by this Ministry and implemented in schools across Ontario.
CLCCC was the key-sponsor again for the eighth conference entitled “2007 National Conference – International Languages and Education, Access, Equity and Inclusivity”. The conference was held at the Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University from June 22 to 24, 2007. The co-sponsors included Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University, BC Teachers’ Federation, Chinese Language Association of B. C., B. C. Chinese Schools Association, Western Canada Chinese Schools Association, B. C. Heritage Language Association and Lingnan Elderly College, Grandland International Education Services and WK Lim Architect Inc. The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Vancouver hosted a banquet for 400 conference delegates in the evening of June 23, 2007.
During the three-day conference, there were 300 professors, teachers, administrators, parents, government officials and representatives from corporations coming from different parts of Canada and PRC. In addition to 30 workshops for knowledge and skills training for teachers and administrators, there was an Academic Forum which involved a wide sector of participants with professors from Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, and University of Calgary in leading roles to initiate the development of a national position paper with recommendations.
The aim of the position paper would be to build knowledge and change attitudes toward minority languages in Canada. The position paper would be broadly applicable to all languages and would be a driving force for policy-making and practice with school boards, teacher training institutions and federal and provincial governments. It would be widely disseminated to school boards, teacher training institutions, all levels of government, parents’ organizations, teachers’ federations and colleges of teachers.
Biographical Statement: Dorothy Chin
Dorothy Chin (M.Ed. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 1997) has been the President of Chinese Lingual-Cultural Centre of Canada since 2000. She has also served as the President of Canasia Consulting Inc. from 1998 until now. Ms. Chin was seconded to Ministry of Education in Ontario as an Education Officer in 1999 from Toronto District School Board (formerly Toronto Board of Education). During her service as an Education Officer at the Ministry, Ms. Chin also obtained her qualification as Supervisory Officer in Ontario. She was the principal of a high school for three years.
Ms. Chin was the editor-in-chief of the grade 12 and OAC Mandarin and Cantonese high school credit courses offered by ILC in Ontario. She also managed curriculum development for the English, grade 11 University Preparation course for ILC and this course development won an award from Ministry of Education for its excellent quality in 2001. Ms. Chin was the leader of 9 delegations from Canada to China for educational, cultural and business exchanges between 1987 and 1999. The delegates were Members of Parliament, Government of Canada, officials from Ontario Ministry of Education, professors, directors, superintendents and principals of district school boards and executives from corporations. These exchanges were arranged with the support of the Embassy of PRC in Ottawa, Overseas Office of PRC in Beijing and W. K. Lim Architect in Toronto.
In 1993, Ms. Chin made a deputation on behalf of the Chinese community in Ontario on “Education for Students of Chinese Descent”. This position was presented at the public hearing commissioned by the Ministry of Education in Ontario preparing the document on education reform entitled “The Love of Learning”. As part of her advocacy in the promotion of quality education for all students, Ms. Chin has been invited guest speaker at many conferences and symposiums ever since 1984.
Ms. Chin was the chair of seven successful national conferences held at OISE, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia in the last 24 years. She is currently chairing the Conference Organizing Committee in Toronto and the Conference Action Committee in Vancouver for the 2007 National Conference – International Languages and Education: Access, Equity and Inclusivity. This conference will be held at the Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University in August 2007. Ms. Chin has been a strong advocate for quality education, particularly international languages and education for all students in Canada for the past 25 years.
