November 24, 2014

Toronto- The Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) has collaborated to create a memorandum of understanding with three other like-minded international organizations to form the International Consortium of Academic Language and Learning Developers. 

As of November 21, 2014 the Consortium will be in effect for professional members of LSAC, the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE) [United Kingdom], Association of Tertiary Learning Advisors of Aotearoa/New Zealand (ATLAANZ), and the Association for Academic Language and Learning (AALL) [Australia]. 

“This has been the result of two years of online meetings by representatives from all four associations” says Michael Lisetto-Smith, President of LSAC. “We are looking forward to the sharing of research, resources, and ideas for all four associations to better the needs of our members and further apply it to our work in post-secondary institutions.” Benefits of the Consortium include access to member-rates for professional development opportunities and access to online resources, online forums, and journals offered by each member association.

The Consortium will support a professional identity of practitioners working in the field of academic language and learning development; facilitate professional development opportunities for members; encourage and sponsor research, including collaborative research, in the field of academic language and learning development; and, publish and disseminate papers and resources to underpin the theory and practice of academic language and learning development. 

The Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) is a voluntary, national association for professionals who focus on the application of learning theory in higher education. By offering instruction in learning strategies and study skills, our members support and further the educational goals of students, faculty, staff and school administrations. LSAC's purpose is to develop, encourage, and model sound professional and ethical standards among its members while facilitating the dissemination of current and emerging trends and research in learning. More information about LSAC can be found online at www.learningspecialists.ca.