Stay up-to-date with what’s happening with Sea to Sky International Language School.
Member of Parliament for West Vancouver, Sea to Sky and Whistler, John Weston, follows through with official support for SSILS
John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver, Sea to Sky and Whistler met with key stakeholders, teachers and students on August 12th, 2011 at the schools Whistler classroom location.
Mr. Weston has written an open letter of support for the Sea to Sky International Language School (SSILS). Mr. Weston reviewed SSILS’ programming and the appropriateness of a French language Co-op Internship program in the Resort Municipality of Whistler during the months of August and September. This included discussions with Canada’s Language Commissioner, Graham Fraser in Ottawa, and the President of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. The result is that Mr. Weston would like to see French language development flourish in Whistler and that he fully supports SSILS’ programming to bring international students to study French and complete co-op work placements to practice and develop French in Whistler. In part of his letter Mr. Weston states, “The economic benefits to the Resort Municipality of Whistler and to the Province of BC, from international students attending language programs such as offered by the Sea to Sky International Language School, are significant.”
Canadian Immigrants who improve their French or English have better Health
Several studies that tracked Immigrants to Canada reported that those permanent residents who improve their language proficiency in English or French experience better health. To read more visit http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/10/19/immigrant-health-language.html
Member of Parliament, and President of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, meet for strategy session to help grow the SSILS program
The Pique Newsmagazine: By Jesse Ferreras
An immigration consultant who works in Whistler is seeking political help after student visa applicants were denied the chance to study French at a language school.
Paul Girodo, director of Whistler Immigration Ltd. and a director involved in the decision-making processes of the Sea to Sky International Language School (SSILS), said that some officers working for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) are levelling an “institutional bias” against student visa applicants who want to study French in Whistler.
Read more about John Weston, Member of Parliament, and SSILS at http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/pique/index.php?cat=C_News&content=Whistler+consultant+1834
The Province of BC Wants More Foreign Students
Re-post from The Vancouver Sun:
The Province of BC is designing a new international student education strategy. The goal is to increase the number of international students attending school in BC to increase the number of jobs in the market as well as to capture money spent by internationals during their stay in BC.
“Today, I’m announcing that the province is setting an aggressive target to grow our international student population in B.C. by 50 per cent in just the next four years,” Clark announced during a speech in Kamloops. “If we can meet those targets we can put 9,000 people to work and put another $500 million into our economy.”
Currently there are about 94,000 international students in British Columbia, and that in 2010 those students collectively spent about $1.8 billion in the province. That translates into approximately $20,000 spent by each student. Clarke’s goal of 9000 students puts an additional $180 million dollars into BC economy.
International Students in Canada Bring Value to the Canadian Work Force
Re-post: The Vancouver Sun Article, July 6, 2011
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/immigrants+Canada+needs+already+here/5056666/story.html
Like many developed nations, Canada is counting on immigration to help mitigate the impacts of an aging population. The global competition for skilled workers is intense as each nation markets itself as the ideal destination for immigrants to relocate. But even if Canada wins that contest and persuades candidates with the right qualifications to fill labour shortages to come here, there’s no guarantee they will be able to successfully adjust to life in Canada.
But what if they have already shown that they can?
In Tuesday’s editorial, we said some of the people we’re looking for are already here. There are about 90,000 international students attending Canadian universities, taking advanced courses in the subject areas crucial to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity.
They have already adopted the Canadian lifestyle, have mastered English or French, and have become familiar with Canada’s cultural norms. In 2009, there were 49,905 students from China on study permits in Canada, as well as 25,871 from South Korea and 9,570 from India.
In British Columbia alone, there are 25,000 international students attending public post-secondary institutions, accounting for about six per cent of total enrolment. Add those attending private institutions and those studying English as a second language and the number rises to 140,000.
Not only do these students represent a potential pool of human capital, but they contribute to the economy as they learn. In B.C., international education provides an estimated $1.6 billion to gross domestic product and sustains 21,000 jobs.
SSILS is looking for a FSL instructor for the Whistler location
Do you have experience teaching French? SSILS is looking for a qualified French instructor available to teach in the evening at our Whistler classroom location. This is a short term contract.
If you would like to apply for this position please email your resume to jobs@ssils.com!
French is on the Rise in British Columbia
Source: The Vancouver Sun; Published: June 12, 2011 12:02 PM http://www.vancouversun.com/life/French+immersion+popularity+rise/4934060/story.html
French Immersion Popularity on the Rise in B.C.
The popularity of French immersion programs in B.C. public schools just keeps on growing.
This year, the number of French immersion students climbed to 44,848, an increase of 884, or two per cent, over last year, the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) says in a news release.
That compares to a 0.24 per cent slide in total public school enrolments.
French immersion enrolments have been growing steadily for 13 years, although this year’s increase is down from the 3.51 per cent bump a year earlier, and a record 6.99 per cent increase in 2005-06.
“Although posting a slight decrease in growth compared to previous years, French immersion remains a strong incentive for parents to keep their children in public schools in British Columbia,” Debra Pool of Vernon, the B.C. and Yukon president for CPF, says in the release.
“Demand still outstrips capacity in many school districts so the need to plan for sustained growth is still present.”
French immersion students now represent 7.7 per cent of total public school enrolments.
Yukon, meanwhile, experienced only a marginal increase in French immersion enrolments, to 605 students from 602 last year.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/French+immersion+popularity+rise/4934060/story.html#ixzz1P5usAIOx
SSILS is hiring : ESL Instructor, Whistler Classroom Location
SSILS is hiring! We’re looking for the best certified ESL instructors for our Whistler classrooms. If you think you’re one of the best, we want to meet you. Please send your resume to jobs@ssils.com.
New Website Launched for SSILS
SSILS has a new look www.ssils.com. This website offers the interactive and innovative WordPress technology allowing us to keep you updated with the most recent SSILS news and information. Follow SSILS via RRS feed or on Facebook.
SSILS is hiring!
SSILS is hiring! We’re looking for the best certified FSL and ESL instructors for both Whistler and Vancouver classrooms. If you think you’re one of the best, we want to meet you. Please send your resume to jobs@ssils.com.
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