Language Proficiency Certificate will take approximately 4 years on a part time basis. One course in the fall and one in the winter, and two during the summer semester.

This certificate program is intended for students who wish to acquire and/or improve their conversational and literacy skills in a particular First Nations language for purposes of teaching this language in elementary or secondary schools, or to adult learners to enhance their knowledge of a First Nations language for cultural reasons or professional objectives.
The certificate consists of 27 credit hours of course work. At least 12 of these must be earned by completing courses in the First Nations language itself. The certificate can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Advanced placement through course challenge to a maximum of nine credit hours is possible for individuals who have demonstrated fluency in their language. Credit may be applied to a specific language and can be achieved by examination from an instructor in that language with the approval of the department. All courses are taught by fluent speakers of the language and/or are team taught by a linguist and a fluent speaker or elder.

Certificate Requirements
Students are required to complete or achieve equivalent credit for the following courses:
LING 130-3 Practical Phonetics
LING 220-3 Introduction to Linguistics
LING 231-3 Introduction to a First Nations Language I*
LING 232-3 Introduction to a First Nations Language II*
LING 331-3 Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language*
LING 332-3 Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language II*
In addition, students must complete at least 9 credit hours selected from among the following courses:
LING 241-3 Languages of the World*
LING 260-3 Language, Culture and Society
LING 360-3 Linguistics & Language Teaching: Theory & Practice
LING 364-3 Language Teaching Practicum
LING 430-3 Native American Languages
LING 431-3 Language Structures 1*
LING 432-3 Language Structures II*

*These courses may only be counted toward certificate if the subject matter of each is the same First Nations Language.
Additional Linguistic and Language courses whose topic is a First Nations Language may be counted as electives towards the certificate.

CCWU Programs

First Nations Studies Certificate
UNBC - 30 Credits

Language Proficiency Certificate
SFU - 30 Credits

Management Certficate
TRU - 30 Credits

Management Diploma
TRU - 72 Credits

Bachelor of General Studies
UNBC - 120 Credits

Downloadable Documents

Simon Fraser University Application Form
Fill in this form and fax/email or drop off to the CCWU Coordinator. This form is required for this program.