The Department of Education and Holland College have joined forces to establish a new institution which will attract clients from around the world to Prince Edward Island, announced Education Minister Gordon MacInnis and Alex MacAulay, President of Holland College. Located in Charlottetown, the Atlantic Canada College of Languages (ACCL) will specialize in English as a Second Language (ESL) training for international students.
The Atlantic Canada College of Languages will operate year-round offering several type of courses. Planning is underway for a Summer Vacation/Study program and a Coordinator will be hired in the near future. In addition, ACCL will offer longer term English for Academic Purposes and a number of shorter "language plus" courses. David Morgan, acting director of ACCL says courses in foreign languages such as Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese are also anticipated.
A major marketing program will initially focus on the Pacific Rim region, but Europe and Latin America are also considered potential markets. ACCL will create a number of new jobs and has potential for other economic benefits once the marketing plan is in place. "We will require ESL teachers and other support staff," said Alex MacAulay. "As well, it has been shown that each foreign student who studies in Canada injects between $25,000-$30,000 per academic year into the local economy from tuition, accommodations, food and other services."
ACCL has already begun work on a major ESL curriculum development contract for the Asian-based consortium, Columbia International Programmes CIP (of Japan). "Both the Department and Holland College have been actively involved in developing relations abroad to market PEI’s educational opportunities," said the Hon. Gordon MacInnis. "The Atlantic Canada College of Languages will allow us to combine our efforts. The fact that we’ve been awarded this contract confirms a demand for our products and services as well as our ability to deliver." While the consortium has purchased an exclusive license to this ESL curriculum in the Asian region, ACCL retains the rights to market the program elsewhere.
The Atlantic Canada College of Languages is a federally registered educational corporation, operating independently under a Board of Directors representing its members. Discussions are ongoing regarding the future inclusion of additional members.