CMEC launches new official-languages programs Web sites

TORONTO , Nov. 20 /CNW/ - The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), is pleased to announce the launch of new Web sites for its official-languages programs: Explore, Destination Clic, and Odyssey.

Interactive and dynamic, these Web sites celebrate the cultural diversity of Canada , encouraging visitors to discover another part of the country to learn and share Canada's official languages.

"Over 250,000 young Canadians have taken part in the official-languages programs since their inception in the 1970s," said the Chair of CMEC, Diane McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy and Minister responsible for International Education for Manitoba. "Using the new Web sites, Canadians can get concise information about these programs and learn how they can immerse themselves in the language and culture of another province or territory. Promoting official languages and cultural learning is one of the key priority areas of our joint ministerial declaration, Learn Canada 2020."

Explore fosters the study of French or English as a second language, while Destination Clic fosters the study of French as a first language for francophone students who live outside of Quebec . Odyssey gives Canadians the opportunity to work as language assistants, sharing their language and culture with students while helping teachers at the elementary, secondary, or postsecondary level.

    
    To visit our Web sites, go to:

    -   Explore: http://www.myexplore.ca/
    -   Destination Clic: http://www.destinationclic.ca/
    -   Odyssey: http://www.myodyssey.ca/
    

CMEC is an intergovernmental body composed of the ministers responsible for elementary-secondary and advanced education from the provinces and territories. Through CMEC, ministers share information and undertake projects in areas of mutual interest and concern.

For further information: Information: Jean-Gilles Pelletier, Director, Official Languages, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), Tel.: [phone], ext. 272, E-mail: [email protected]