Learning Spanish differently: intercultural dialogue and global issues

A cultural learning opportunity at Collège Nordique 

Collège Nordique is proud to be involved in initiatives that promote cultural openness and language learning. On October 15, 2024, Natalia, our senior education and training coordinator, and French and Spanish teacher, had the honour of participating in the launch of the 14th edition of the Spanish-speaking Week titled "Dialogues and Differences", organized by the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in collaboration with the Institut d’Études Internationales de Montréal (IEIM – Montreal Institute of International Studies). This event, dedicated to the celebration of Spanish-speaking cultural diversity, opened the door to rich and engaged discussions on global issues such as the preservation of biodiversity.  

Opening night marked by global commitment 

The opening ceremony was introduced by speeches by Stéphane Pallage, Rector of UQAM, and Luz Stella Jara Portilla, Consul General of Colombia. Natalia also took part in a conference with Jimena Nieto Carrasco, former environmental negotiator, on the issues surrounding the then upcoming COP16, a global summit on biodiversity held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. These discussions highlighted the critical importance of biodiversity conservation, a topic that resonates strongly with Collège Nordique's values of engagement and sustainability.  

A relevant topic at the heart of our Spanish courses 

The link between biodiversity and education is obvious, because one cannot thrive without the other. This theme fits perfectly into our Spanish courses at Collège Nordique, where our teaching staff encourages learners to explore current topics while strengthening their language skills. Our courses are not limited to learning the language: they also open a space to address global issues such as those discussed at COP16, which brought together nearly 15,000 participants in Cali, including leaders and ministers from around the world.  

Developing intercultural skills through dialogue 

In our classes, Spanish-speaking news is an entry point to create rich and relevant discussions. Reading news, debating, and discussing topics such as biodiversity not only helps develop language skills, but also enriches the intercultural understanding of our learners. This constant dialogue, focused on current topics of global importance, prepares our students to become informed and engaged global citizens. 

Spanish Speaking Week: A lasting learning opportunity 

Natalia's participation in this event demonstrates that education and awareness of issues such as biodiversity and sustainability are an integral part of our mission. By integrating global themes into our courses, particularly our Spanish courses, we are strengthening our commitment to offering training that goes beyond linguistic boundaries to include reflection on current environmental and social challenges. 

Collège Nordique will continue to promote these exchanges and enrich its educational content in order to better support our learners in their journey, while contributing to a greater understanding of the world around them.