At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, language learning was never just about vocabulary and grammar. It was about connection, curiosity, and community. Through the International and Indigenous Languages Program – Elementary and the International Languages Secondary Credit Program, 3,076 elementary and 498 secondary students spent the 2024–2025 school year discovering the beauty of new languages and cultures while growing as global citizens.
From elementary classes filled with music and movement to high school students earning credits toward graduation, learners opened doors to understanding that extended far beyond classroom walls.
Elementary Students: Learning Through Joy and Culture
Every Saturday, classrooms across the city came alive with excitement as students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 explored languages such as Arabic, Blin, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish, and many more. Through storytelling, art, dance, and cultural celebrations, students learned in ways that were both joyful and meaningful.
For some, the classes strengthened their connection to their heritage language. For others, they sparked a love of discovering new cultures. Regardless of experience or background, every student shared the joy of learning, belonging, and celebrating diversity.
Secondary Students: Earning Credits, Building Futures
Students in Grades 9 to 12 and adult learners expanded their horizons while earning up to three high school credits. Courses were offered in languages including ASL, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and Yoruba. Each class encouraged learners not only to develop language proficiency but also to build empathy, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the world and one another.
Classes ran every Saturday morning, both in person and virtually, offering flexibility for students balancing academics, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities. The program helped participants strengthen communication skills, explore global career pathways, and prepare for future studies or travel abroad
For many, these classes were about more than earning credits. They represented new friendships, cultural pride, and a sense of global citizenship that would guide them well beyond graduation.
