Various levels of government and community groups were represented at the summer graduation ceremonies in June for New Directions English Language School with more than 350 newcomer students receiving certificates.
The ceremonies had the theme of Discovering Canada: New Directions and Connections for Newcomers for the students who have completed a Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) level or one of the language skills - listening, speaking, Reading and writing.
A number of LINC 5 students had written a reflective essay about the theme of discovering Canada.
“Now I feel proud to be here in this amazing and beautiful country, full of opportunities to grow and the kind and warm people. I can feel Canada in my heart when I have the opportunity to listen to the O Canada!,” Elizabeth said.
Another student, Voldymyr, wrote "This country has a large territory and a lot of amazing places. For example, mountains, lakes, rocks washed by the ocean… and all this is complemented by wild nature.”
“Discovering Canada are important words for many people," Olya wrote. "Canada opened its doors for emigrants and got great opportunities to arrange their own life in a safe, glorious and free country!”
LINC is an English language program funded by the through Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship (IRCC) department. It is a free program for adult immigrants who have permanent resident and refugee status. New Directions is the only English Language School which offers the LINC program in the Langleys with 1,160 students from 78 countries in the past year.
More than 200 people were in attendance. Anastasia Chyz-LeSage, director of IRCC, was the keynote speaker. She emphasized that “language training is the key component for integration into our communities.”
Other officials that attended and offered congratulatory comments and observed the students' enthusiasm as they received their certificates included Langley MLA Andrew Mercier who attended our summer evening graduation, assisted with the handing out of certificates, and offered words of encouragement and congratulations to newcomer students. Additionally, Paul Albrecht, City councillor and deputy mayor who attended the evening graduation as the keynote speaker spoke of the importance of territorial acknowledgement and commended the graduates from all corners of the world that they are an integral part of the Canadian family. He also commended the newcomers on how much courage and resilience it has taken to pursue a new life but reminded them that they are not alone.
Cory Redekop, CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, said the grads are tomorrow's entrepreneurs, business builders, professionals, engineers, technologists and trades, among many other occupational skills they have brought to Canada.
Christine McCracken, executive director of programs at Encompass Support Society, informed students of the work the society does for the children, youth, and families in the Langley community.
RCMP Const. Dennis Bell attended both graduation ceremonies and explained the wearing of the serge to the students.
TIna Taphouse, a photographer, Interior Salish-St’at’imc, 60’s Scoop survivor, artist and presenter, who has given presentations at New Directions about Indigenous history, also took time to attend New Directions graduation ceremony on Wednesday morning to give the Welcome and Territorial Acknowledgement.
Another member of the community, Ines Montoya, manager of employer relation at Trinity Western University and alumni of New Directions, attended the evening ceremony and shared her personal story of coming to Canada and beginning English classes at New Directions some 26 years ago.
Leanne Cassap, road safety and community coordinator of the Langleys, used words related to driving interlaced with symbolism to commend students on their journey forward.
New Directions president Yvonne Hopp applauded the groups which together made it possible. She thanked the students for choosing Canada and contributing their many gifts, next the community for supporting newcomers, including those agencies like ISS of BC and Langley Community Services Society, and the school's staff.
In Aldergrove where more than 50 students from the morning and evening class attended graduation, special guests included community liaison officer RCMP Const. Peter Mann. Also attending were Councillor Margaret Kunst and Karen Long, and Langley Meals on Wheels operations manager Angie Ward who delivered words of congratulations on behalf of executive director Shannon Woykin.
Graduation was celebrated with singing of We Are Unity and This is My Canada, violin music, Soul of Freedom by language instructor Mehdi Hajizadeh and a performance by Ukrainian dance group, Mriya, created by former New Directions student Marta Kasha. Overall it was a festive mood with students cheering each other on as they received their certificates culminating in a potluck with a vast array of international foods provided by the students.