From February 28 to March 2, 2024, Cyndi McLeod, CEO of GUS Canada, participated as a panellist while representatives from The Language Gallery Canada (TLG) and the Toronto School of Management presented a session at the Languages Canada 17th Annual Conference hosted at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver.
The conference brought together Canadian and international education partners and stakeholders to discuss relevant and recent topics surrounding the language learning sector in Canada.
Cyndi McLeod offered her extensive expertise and insights, emphasizing the significance of global partnerships and strategic initiatives in shaping the future of education amid a rapidly evolving global environment.
Hanna Pyo, Associate Director of Language Programmes at GUS Canada, and Helen Chaikovskaya, Academic Manager of The Language Gallery, presented at the conference.
Their session, ‘Inclusive Leadership: Strategies to Foster DEI Culture in Language Schools,’ discussed strategies for language learning sector leaders to ensure an inclusive space for their faculty and staff. The presentation also covered how to incorporate values of diversity, equity and inclusion into language curriculum and classroom delivery to ensure safe learning environments for students.
Hanna Pyo was also invited to speak during the presentation led by Ariane Noronha, CEO and Founder of Soul Bilingue, an award-winning NGO that provides language education opportunities for low-income youth in Brazil.
GUS Canada is a partner of the NGO, and The Language Gallery Canada provides scholarships to outstanding students from the organization. Hannah spoke with Ariane about the partnership with GUS and TLG and the school’s commitment to providing a culturally diverse and equitable education to students. Languages Canada made donations to Soul Bilingue on behalf of all presenters at this year’s conference.
The conference was a sold-out event this year and included a variety of information workshops and sessions, including a virtual remark and Q&A session hosted by Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC).