In January, the Canadian Forces Language School (CFLS) welcomed 17 student-teacher representatives from 13 countries including Colombia, Georgia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uruguay and Vietnam. The delegates attended the Language Teacher Training Course (LTTC) as part of the Military Training Cooperation Program (MTCP). 

The LTTC is a four-month English language course that focuses on the Communicative Approach. This approach is a student-centered instructional method based on fluency and interaction in the classroom, in order to teach students effective communication strategies in real life scenarios.

“When it comes to teaching you should bring your best self. However, it’s far from simple,” proclaims Ukrainian participant Yuliia Khoroshylova. The MTCP can definitely help you go from zero to hero, as it provides a comprehensive combination of teacher training procedures and provisions,” she adds.

The lessons and materials are presented to the group as if English is their mother tongue. The learning tasks are various, dynamic and based on real life situations. 

The course incorporates the use of technology to help students advance their writing skills and online learning capabilities. It also includes cultural briefings, military guest speakers, workshops and seminars. 

Pedagogical and cultural outings, including visits to Canadian military institutions, tourist attractions and national landmarks, give participants the opportunity to discover different parts of Canada, and fosters their adaptation to the Canadian lifestyle.

This approach leads to more interaction and genuine communication with Canadians, an aspect of the program which Khoroshvlova appreciates: “The course allows student-teachers from fourteen different countries to closely interact with each other and plunge into Canadian history, culture and traditions.”

The program has taken the initiative to place students with Canadian families to further develop their interactions in English. The end goal of the program is for the members from various nationalities to come together to learn valuable teaching and communication skills, which can have an impact on the future success of international cooperation missions.

The participants’ appreciation of the program shines through in Khoroshylova’s comments, as she adds: “Thanks to this program and the diligence of our teacher-trainers, I have explored Canada and have been equipped with new teaching tools and strategies I can further apply when planning and running my lessons.”