Strategic Action 1.6: Expand International and Heritage Language options in high schools.

Welcome to the Louis Riel School Division’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) 2023-27 action pages. For each strategic action, we are diligently taking steps to achieve our goals. Together, these goals strive to create the best possible educational environment for students, staff, and community. On these pages, you will find answers to two key questions: What have we done so far? And where do we plan to be by 2027?

International and Heritage languages are defined as all languages other than English, French, or Aboriginal, taught in the public school system, during the regular school day.  

The following are excerpts from International and Heritage Languages | Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning. 

In 1979, the Public School Act was amended to allow for learning of languages and instruction in languages other than English or French. 

In addition to English and French, a variety of languages are offered as "languages of study" (similar to Basic French) in schools in Manitoba. Some languages have been offered for many years and others, like Japanese, have recently become popular. In some cases, only one or a few schools offer the language. 

Languages currently offered in Manitoba public or funded Independent schools include: 

• Arabic 
• Cree 
• Filipino 
• German 
• Hebrew 
• Japanese 
• Mandarin (Chinese) 
• Ojibwe 
• Portuguese 
• Punjab 
• Spanish 
• Ukrainian 

When looking at the rich diversity of languages spoken in the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD), Strategic Action 1.6 is intended to promote and support the teaching of one or more of the languages currently offered in Manitoba schools as well as the teaching of languages spoken in our community but not yet offered in Manitoba. The strategic action looks to expand the teaching of International and Heritage Language options in each of our high schools. 

What have we done so far? 

Where do we plan to be by 2027?