Community-Based Language Training for Immigrant Women and Seniors in Manitoba.

Canada's Community-Based Language Training (CBLT) program was designed as a part-time, flexible language training response for nonconfident, isolated immigrant women who required adult English-as-a-SecondLanguage (A/ESL) training to assist them in their daily lives. It addressed barriers to their participation in classes housed in educational institutions and was developed in conjunction with ethnocultural educational organizations that received funding to administer the program. Learners were involved in planning the program, identifying topics to cover and determining the frequency, duration, and hours of classes. Manitoba's CBLT program, a cooperative venture between the federal and provincial governments, was funded through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) initiative. In 1996-97, LINC funding was radically reduced, which resulted in a review of Manitoba's entire A/ESL system. CBLT delivery by school division A/ESL instructors came to an abrupt end. The CBLT program was eventually divided into two streams: ESL for women with child care responsibilities and English for Seniors. Today, CBLT offers English for Seniors in conjunction with mainstream senior centers. The paper concludes by discussing how to implement and assess A/ESL efforts. (Adjunct ERIC clearinghouse for ESL literacy education.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Community-Based Language Training for Immigrant Women and Seniors in Manitoba By Marilyn Kenny* and Ihor Cap** Marilyn Kenny* is Director of Adult Language Training with Manitoba Labour, Citizenship Division. She holds a Masters of Education in Adult Education and Administration from the University of Manitoba. Active in the community with refugees and immigrants, she recently won the "Going the Extra Mile Award" sponsored by Public Service 2000, which is a Federal, Provincial and Municipal Committee. Ihor Cap** is Program Development Coordinator with Manitoba Advanced Education and Training, Apprenticeship Branch. He holds an Education Specialist degree and Ph.D. in Comprehensive Vocational Education from the Florida State University and a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology from the University of Manitoba. He is a Member of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Canada, and Chair for the American Society for Quality Manitoba Section.