Education

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017 10 Back then, the Jesuits — who founded the college — began to offer French language courses for those who lived in the surrounding community. "That was the embryonic stage of our department," says Aileen Clark, director of USB's Continuing Education Division (CED). "In 1977, Father Laval Cloutier, founder of the Technical and Professional College (TPC), inaugurated the CED, as we know it today, as a division of the TPC." Then, in 1988, the CED became an independent entity with Edith Pantel as its director. A multitude of programs would follow, including Français oral, which remains the CED's flagship program. "While becoming independent from the technical college and getting a new name in 1988 was a big moment for the CED, our seminal moment took place in 1977, when we began offering continuing education, much as we do today. We're proud to be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year." There is much to celebrate about USB's Continuing Education Division, starting with the fact that it's open to learners young and old who are looking to improve or perfect their French language skills. "Because we have three sectors — a language school, youth programs and professional and personal development — you can learn in French at all stages of life: in camps, in workshops or language, it's all under one roof from start to finish." The perennially popular Français oral, which is complemented by Perfectionnment du français, is a program available to those who are already bilingual, but want to take their French skills to the next level. "We're extremely proud of both programs. We've actually developed our own course material, which has been created by both our part-time teachers and permanent staff," she says, adding that Spanish is another major language program at USB. "We've done that so we can respond better to the needs that must be met in our (educational) context — to offer a true communicative experience that's supported by the setting and course material." That authentic, immersive education experience is available in other areas, as well. "Our professional and personal development sector offers a one- day personal and professional development conference that features several workshops during the day that address a variety of needs. This year, we will offer, amongst others, workshops on the multifaceted use of (Microsoft) Outlook as well as change management," Clark says. "We also have several great options for youth — Tu Parles! for beginners, Camplus sur Campus and Étudiant d'un jour (Student for a Day)." The latter offering has proven to be particularly relevant for high school students looking to get a preview of university life. "When you take part in Étudiant d'un jour, you get to attend post- secondary classes for the day. Students get an overview of content, can meet professors and broaden their horizon. It's an experience that future USB students find very helpful." As USB celebrates four decades of offering top-level continuing education programs — their language school is by far its largest sector, says Clark — they're looking to get even better at what they do, in every area. "We're looking to build on our professional development program, and to build further on the success of our language school. We're always updating course material and trying to find better ways to provide the best educational experience possible." Moving forward, that will be accomplished by enhancing an already immersive educational environment, and continuing to tailor course content to meet the needs of students. "In our mind, if we can provide an authentic situation in which to learn, we will be doing the best job possible of providing the building blocks students need to perform well in real-life situations," she says. "Our ongoing goal is to make our programs as practical, hands-on and as close to reality as possible." For more information, visit ustboniface.ca/educationplus, or call 204-235-4400. ❚ REAL-LIFE EDUCATION USTBONIFACE.CA/EDUCATIONPLUS Classes start September 16th. CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SUCCESS USB's Continuing Education Division is open to learners young and old who are looking to improve or perfect their French language skills. Université de Saint-Boniface photos UNIVERSITÉ DE SAINT-BONIFACE By Todd Lewys for the Free Press Suffice it to say, Université de Saint-Boniface's Continuing Education Division has come a long way since the 1960s.

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