Introduction to the Calgary Lifelong Learning Centre

The Centre is an educational service organization, incorporated in the province of Alberta, and supported by the Alberta Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Centre is founded on the belief that “… regardless of education, age or economic status, people are entitled to the rights and opportunities of learning, access to education tailored to their learning needs, and the environment to achieve lifelong learning”. The Centre is “people-centered, learning-focused”; its mission is to keep pace with rapid technological development, strive for new knowledge, and to help all its students build self-confidence, develop potential, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude toward life, and meet new challenges with assurance.

In order to achieve its mandate, the Centre provides opportunities for students of different ages, from young children to adults. At present, the Centre offers three programs: the School of Adult Learning, the School of Community Services, and the Lifelong Chinese School.

School of Adult Learning

School of Community Service

The purpose of the school is to allow students to acquire skills and knowledge which will improve the quality of life in the Chinese community in Calgary. The courses were developed with the support of community service organizations, registered social workers, practicing psychologists, and child social workers, who also serve as the instructors. All courses have been assessed by staff at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary.

The courses offered at the School are: helping skills and applications, personal growth and development stages, family and related issues, community service and groups, individual and holistic health, community service and legal knowledge, community service and seniors, community service and children and youth and helping families with special needs.

Lifelong Chinese School (Kindergarten to Grade 7)

Our school has adopted Activity-Based Learning as a method for teaching children. Instead of traditional “chalk-and-board” teaching, the teachers encourage active participation by the students. This way, the students are less prone to stress and boredom, and more eager to learn the language and to attend classes. The program includes storytelling and songs in Cantonese and Mandarin, as well as crafts and games.

In addition to teaching languages (Cantonese and Mandarin), traditional Chinese characters, and life education, the school seeks to develop the students’ character, and to encourage personal growth.