The Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) operates as a policy-setting body with overall responsibility for establishing strategic direction, public relations, member services, and financial goals. CASLT endeavours to achieve a diversity of perspectives through board representation from across the additional language (L+) education community in Canada.

Organizational Mandate

CASLT’s mandate is to promote excellence in language education across Canada. It promotes the advancement of language learning and teaching throughout Canada, creates opportunities for professional learning, initiates and disseminates research, and facilitates the exchange of information and ideas among language educators.

One of CASLT’s strategic goals for 2025-2028 is to increase its profile in promoting excellence in language education. As well as supporting the teaching of Canada’s official languages, CASLT hopes to strengthen its impact in the areas of Indigenous, international, and signed languages. As such, experience and expertise in the revitalization and teaching of Indigenous languages and/or the teaching of, and proficiency in, international or signed languages, will be considered an asset.

Role and Requirements

Board members oversee the activities and affairs of the Association to ensure it remains true to its mandate as well as financially and organizationally sound. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and have proficiency in English and French. They must be able to commit to the following:

• Participating in four to five online meetings per year
• Attending four or five in-person board meetings per year, including one annual general meeting in the fall, in different cities across Canada
• Serving on CASLT committees
• Taking on a variety of executive roles
• Representing CASLT to L+ stakeholders as required

Candidates should confirm that their current professional situation would afford them the flexibility to fulfil these commitments.

Skills and Experience

CASLT is seeking candidates who are passionate about L+ education and recognized as leaders in their field. The Association strives for its Board of Directors to have representation from different regions of Canada.

Candidates should possess qualifications and qualities among the following:

• National-level experience in the field of L+ teaching and learning
• Understanding of issues and trends in L+ education
• Proven leadership capabilities
• Experience in governance of an association, including setting policy, identifying and managing risk to the association, and establishing strategic directions
• Experience in developing and advocating for policies and funding for L+ education
• Knowledge in the areas of funding diversification, professional learning, membership development, and/or research
• Experience and expertise in working with the broader educational communities, including teacher federations, faculties of education, ministries of education, governmental organisations, funding agencies, and/or school boards
• Established connections with Indigenous language revitalization and teaching communities
• Established connections with international language communities
• Aptitude to work well as part of a team, to make evidence-based decisions, to contribute reasoned opinions, and to accept and support decisions reached by the Board
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in language teaching programs
• Ability to serve for a minimum of one two-year term and a maximum of three two-year terms (additional leadership opportunities may extend this mandate)
• Familiarity with CASLT’s mission, vision, and values