Collège Nordique at a National Meeting on Language Literacy

On February 24 and 25, 2026, Rosie Benning, Director of Teaching and Training at Collège Nordique, took part in the National Settlement Coordination Meeting: Language Literacy, organized by Achēv and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Held under the theme “Stronger Together: Building the Future of Language Literacy”, the national meeting brought together organizations and institutions from across the country delivering LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) and CLIC (Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada) programs.

This participation comes at a particularly relevant time, as Collège Nordique is currently working in partnership with the NWT Literacy Council to establish a bilingual community literacy centre in Yellowknife. In parallel, Collège Nordique is also collaborating with the Réseau pour le développement de l’alphabétisme et des compétences (RESDAC) on the organization of a pan-territorial summit on lifelong learning.

The exchanges and resources presented during this national meeting are helping the Collège Nordique team better understand approaches developed across the country and further inform the development of new literacy initiatives.

Shared challenges across the country

The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to discuss realities experienced on the ground in different regional contexts. Despite the diversity of environments, several common challenges emerged, particularly when supporting newcomers who must learn a new language while also developing foundational literacy skills.

“This meeting gave me the opportunity to connect with professionals from other institutions and better understand the approaches being developed across the country. It was especially interesting to see that, despite the diversity of contexts, many organizations are facing very similar challenges when it comes to supporting learners with literacy needs,” explains Rosie Benning.

Discussions also focused on the use of the PBLA (Portfolio-Based Language Assessment) framework, used in both LINC and CLIC programs. Several organizations shared reflections on how certain practices could be adapted to better align with the realities of learners with significant literacy needs.

Resources to support educators

The meeting also highlighted a wide range of andragogical resources designed for language literacy programs.

Rosie explored in particular the resources developed by the Literacy Centre of Expertise at The Immigrant Education Society (TIES), which offer various tools to support educators and organizations delivering language training programs.

These resources include:

• pedagogical approaches to support reading and writing development, including phonics-based methods
• interactive tools to practice everyday tasks, such as using email
• monthly sessions bringing educators together to share practices
• professional development opportunities and pedagogical resources

“I discovered several very practical resources that can support educators in their work. Some tools, for example, allow learners to practice everyday tasks in a safe and adapted environment,” she adds.

These resources complement other national tools presented during the event, including platforms such as Tutela and CanAvenue, which support language training programs for newcomers.

Learning beyond language

Discussions also highlighted the strong connections between language learning, literacy, and digital skills. For many learners, acquiring a new language also involves developing essential skills for daily life, such as using digital tools or navigating administrative processes.

Participants shared different approaches to support these interconnected learning needs and to better assist newcomers throughout their integration journey.

Strengthening collaboration across the country

The meeting also helped strengthen connections between organizations and institutions providing language services to newcomers across Canada.

Rosie also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from Francophone institutions and organizations active in language training, including Collège La Cité, a long-standing partner of Collège Nordique.

For Collège Nordique, these exchanges help enrich pedagogical practices and strengthen the services offered to newcomers in Northern communities.

“These exchanges are essential to continue adapting our practices and offering training that truly meets learners’ needs. In a Northern context like ours, these collaborations also allow us to share solutions and learn from experiences across the country,” concludes Rosie Benning.

Published on March 18th 2026