Cultural Connections Institute - The Learning Exchange

We believe all newcomers have skills and gifts that will build a stronger community.  Our Mission is to promote personal growth for adult learners, through English Language instruction and the exchange of cultural knowledge. Our Vision is to build the confidence and skills of our students to enable them to contribute and participate in their communities in a way that is meaningful to them. 

Since 2003, CCI-LEX has been providing affordable, quality English as a Second Language Classes to both permanent and temporary residents in Edmonton, Alberta.  The school has grown to supporting just a few hundred students a year to over 1000 students annually for the past five years, representing nearly 90 different countries and students from ages 18 to 80.

What makes us unique?  In addition to running classes for both permanent and temporary residents, we are the largest continuous enrollment school in Edmonton.  That means learners don't have to wait for a semester to start, they can join whenever they need to learn English! We have basic classes for those with little to no English fluency; specialized classes for those that want to improve their communication, pronunciation, or writing skills. Classes run mornings, afternoons and evenings.  There is truly something for everyone.           

Another distinction, as our name suggests, is that we foster cross-cultural learning exchanges.  Students and instructors are encouraged to share their experiences and learn from others.  CCI-LEX wants to facilitate students' language learning as well as their understanding of Canadian culture and their local community.  Our students have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of extra activities every month.  They can participate in informative workshops, school contests, and field trips to festivals, events or other local attractions.

The Learning Exchange, the largest of our programs hosting over 750 students each year, is a grant and donation funded ESL program for permanent residents, citizens and refugees.  This program relies on volunteers to lead its classes.  Our volunteer instructors are key in the exchange of cultural knowledge: we encourage volunteer instructors to share their knowledge of Canadian culture and Edmonton society with their students and to make learning materials relevant to their everyday life.  Annually, more than 100 volunteers contribute over 5000 teaching hours!

Cultural Connections Institute is a tuition funded program that provides ESL instruction through trained, certified instructors.  Although many students have temporary status in Canada the number of learners who have the goal of immigrating to Canada increases every year.  Temporary Foreign Workers who are unable to access many government-funded ESL programs make up a third of students in this program.  Improving their English skills and cultural understanding is essential for their success in the workplace and will help them in their transition to Canadian life.

We believe in encouraging and facilitating programs that enable people to achieve their full potential. We advocate for and maintain affordable quality programs and services.  We believe in working in partnerships and collaboration when developing ESL programs.  That’s why we strive for CCI-LEX to reflect the diversity of the community, and to draw strength from that diversity.  We believe all newcomers have skills and gifts that will build a stronger community.