Elk Island Catholic Schools is committed to Ukrainian learning as an expression of our Canadian identity. Students will develop Ukrainian language proficiency and an appreciation for Ukrainian culture in, and beyond, the classroom. Throughout our division, students will experience excellent instruction through various Ukrainian Bilingual programs.
Elk Island Catholic Schools зобов'язаний до вивчення української мови як виразу нашої канадської ідентичності. Учні будуть розвивати вміння в українській мові та цінувати українську культуру у класі та поза його межами. На протязі всього нашого округу, учні отримають відмінну інструкцію через різні українські двомовні програми.
Ukrainian Bilingual Program
Since 1980, Elk Island Catholic Schools has provided Ukrainian-English bilingual education from the Kindergarten level right up through junior and senior high school.
The Ukrainian Bilingual program provides students with a wealth of experiences and advantages that benefit them within the classroom walls and beyond. The program explores many facets of Ukrainian culture. Students participate in celebrations which help them gain an understanding of the Ukrainian Catholic faith, with special emphasis on the Byzantine Rite.
The elementary school component is taught at St. Nicholas Catholic School in Sherwood Park. In Kindergarten, emphasis is given to the development of oral language skills and children take part in a variety of classroom activities such as storytelling, games, action songs, choral work, drama and puppetry. From grades 1 to 4, students receive language arts, math and science instruction in English and Ukrainian language arts, religion, social studies, music, art, health and physical education instruction in Ukrainian.
The program continues through middle school at St. Theresa Catholic School in Sherwood Park. The bulk of instruction is received in English, with language arts and Christian ethics taught in Ukrainian.
At the senior high level, the program is available at Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School in Sherwood Park, where students receive language arts instruction in Ukrainian.
Students receive instruction as prescribed by Alberta Education. In addition, they learn to understand, speak, read, and write Ukrainian. Ukrainian bilingual programming provides a rich environment for the development of the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes that promote effective global citizenship and enhance the economic and career potential of the student.
The program is open to everyone: no previous Ukrainian language experience or Ukrainian background is required. Students may enter the program at Kindergarten or Grade 1 and have the option to transfer to the regular English program at any time.
It is important to note that this is a bilingual program, not immersion. All core subjects, such as language arts, math and science, are taught in English, while other subjects are taught in Ukrainian to a maximum of 50 per cent of the school day.
Goals
Through the Ukrainian bilingual program, students achieve their academic potential through an enriched program. They develop effective communication skills in both English and Ukrainian, and they also develop an understanding and appreciation of the Ukrainian cultural heritage in the Canadian context. This helps them develop positive attitudes towards learning other languages and understanding other cultures.
Advantages of a Bilingual Education
- Students consistently exceed provincial averages in academic achievement.
- Improved communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Creative thinking is enhanced in second-language students.
- Students develop new insights into the Ukrainian language and culture.
- Bilingual students have wider job and career opportunities because of their linguistic abilities.
- Bilingual students can easily learn additional languages.
- Students learn to look at the world from the point of view of two cultures.
Resources
Всеукраїнська школа онлайн - All-Ukrainian Online School Video lessons, tests, and assignments for students in grades 5-11