A new Partnership for Excellence in French Education from Preschool to University
TORONTO, June 24, 2020 The Lycée Français de Toronto (LFT) and York University’s Glendon Campus have signed a new and unique partnership agreement to collaborate in French education, from preschool to university.
The new Memorandum of Understanding, signed today, will allow Glendon FSL education students and newly graduated, accredited teachers to participate in a work integrated learning opportunity, to gain training and experience in a French-language setting.
The new partnership will also provide continuing education for LFT teachers, research opportunities to learn more about FSL teaching best practices and credit recognition for graduating LFT students wanting to pursue their studies at York.
The two Toronto institutions are both committed to the highest level of expertise in French-language education curriculum delivery. The new Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms both York and LFT’s shared values towards fostering open and multilingual education on a global scale.
“We are very pleased to join with York’s Glendon Campus today in this partnership, which is unique in Toronto and gives an additional dimension to our pedagogical mission and to the study path for our students. This partnership thus solidifies our Canadian roots and renews our commitment to our multicultural community: where France meets Canada.”
- Jean-Pierre Faou, Head of LFT
“A key priority for York is building new partnerships with the community to create positive change. This MOU will provide professional development opportunities for French as a Second Language instructors, expand research and the sharing of best practices for FSL education and create new experiential learning opportunities for Glendon students that will help them succeed in the workforce.”
- Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University
“This partnership has a special flavour for the bilingual Canadian in me. I am delighted that Glendon Campus and LFT will join together in this shared vision of providing excellence in education and new linguistic paths in Toronto. It’s a great honour for me to sign this protocol that contributes to the promotion of Canada’s two official languages and celebrates multiculturalism in Toronto.”
- François Paroyan, Chairman of LFT’s Board of Directors
“Glendon is committed to the promotion of French in Toronto and around the world. With this agreement, we strengthen our ties with one of Toronto’s pivotal French institutions. Working together will benefit both of our communities and support the work of our researchers, as well as create exciting opportunities for our students.
- Ian Roberge, Interim Principal, Glendon Campus
About Lycée Français de Toronto
The LFT is a not-for-profit organization in Ontario that was founded in 1995. Part of the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE) network, they are one of 522 institutions in 139 countries, and the only French institution in Toronto approved by the French Ministry of Education for Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12.
The LFT offers a demanding curriculum backed by the French Ministry of Education and prepares students for the French National Brevet Diploma and Baccalaureate exams. The LFT believes in excellence in French, multilingual and intercultural schooling to prepare our students for future challenges, and our mission is to equip our students with the intellectual and individual tools to become responsible citizens and stakeholders of tomorrow’s world.
About York University
York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centers have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.
York U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.
Media Contact:
Yanni Dagonas, York University Media Relations 647 468 7850, yannidag@yorku.ca
Aurélie de Turckheim, LFT, Communications Director, 416 529 6579, aurelie.turckheim@lft.ca
