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30 Years in Good Company! A Timeline of Achievements

Winnipeg 1970
"We were not an overly large assembly, 50 or so, if my memory serves me correctly. And we were mainly from Manitoba, with a good number also from Saskatchewan and perhaps a few from Alberta. But we made up for our size with our enthusiasm. And we were committed to becoming a truly national, representative association of second language teachers."
Dr. Borislaw Bilash, founding member of CASLT,
excerpt from an interview, 1995.

1972
CASLT individual annual membership cost - $2. Membership of approximately 25.

1982
Establishment of the Prix Robert Roy Award in honour of CASLT's founding President. Membership over 800.

Ottawa 1983
"As second language teachers you perform a vital role in ensuring that Canadian society does not become homogenized - that we maintain a rainbow rather than one lone colour."
Jean Lapierre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State,
excerpt from address on a Multicultural Evening.

1985-1990
National Core French Study actively involved the participation of over 250 individuals, more than 100 classrooms in nine provinces and the NWT, as well as contributions of various educational organizations.(Directors: H.H. (David) Stern and Raymond Le Blanc)

Regina, 1987
"Learning a language is better visualized as joining a club. In this context, there is mystery at the beginning, no coercion, you get help from someone who knows what you don't, your identity broadens."
Frank Smith, excerpt keynote address, CASLT
Annual Conference.

Halifax, 1988
" Être francophone, ce n'est pas un nom, c'est une qualité."
J.P. Harvey, excerpt keynote address,
CASLT Annual Conference.

"When students encounter a foreign language or culture, anything that is simply different, it is not seen as being different; it's seen as being stupid. I think it's our responsibility to defeat this perception of our brothers and sisters around the world - this is an obligation at least as great as our obligation to teach the language."
T. Higgs, excerpt keynote address,
CASLT Annual Conference.

1990
Canadian Modern Language Review incorporated as a CASLT membership privilege.

1991
"I think the major benefit for me was overcoming my initial fear of attempting to speak French. Making mistakes is part of the learning process....So if you're thinking of taking the plunge, I recommend that you do it.... I tested the waters and it was great! Come on in... the water's fine!
O. Judith Chambers,
gagnante, Prix H.H. (David) Stern

Winnipeg, 1991
"We arrived in droves, over 500 of us, from all parts of Canada - East, Central, West, and North." Peter Heffernan,
excerpt from the Report on the CASLT Annual Conference,
in Second Languages Bulletin.

Edmonton, 1992
"...while aspects of our lives are language- and culture-bound, language and culture also provide us the keys to open doors of understanding, magic and insight wherein we can celebrate our differences and our human commonalties."
Ann Medina, excerpt keynote address,
CASLT Annual Conference.

1992-1996
Multicultural Education Project was developed from the concern that multicultural education or education for diversity be a fundamental aspect of all classrooms and schools.
(Directors: Keith McLeod and Zita De Koninck)

Vancouver, 1995
"...we cannot assume our relationship with the world, particularly the Orient, will go along well without our enhancing our awareness and understanding of others... It is important for us to understand other languages, cultures and peoples."
Dr. William Saywell, excerpt keynote address,
CASLT Annual Conference.

1995-1998
National Core French Assessment Project Teams of Core French teachers from all provinces and territories designed and developed formative assessment resource guides for three levels of French instruction in Canada.
(Director: Claire Bélanger)

1999
H.H. Stern Innovations in Second Languages Award was established to encourage school-based educators to focus on innovations in the classroom, the school and community.

Fredericton, 1999
"CASLT is a strong, vital, and growing association that has many feathers in its cap: from the NCFS through the Assessment instruments and Réflexions, to the newly revitalized web site... Its true strength, however, lies in its members ... people like yourselves, who are truly dedicated to your profession, the master teachers who care about students and who want to make a difference in the classrooms of this country. "
Helen Coltrinari, excerpt President's Address,
CASLT AGM

Toronto, 2000
Press Release - Canadian Second Language Teachers Association celebrates 30 years promoting the advancement of second language education throughout Canada by creating opportunities for professional development, by encouraging research and by facilitating the sharing of information and the exchange of ideas among second language educators.

From the November 2000 Anniversary Issue of Réflexions.