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H.H. Stern Award

About the Award

Do you have an innovative project for your classroom or school which could use some financial support?

Our H.H. Stern Awards are granted each year to support innovative classroom practices in second language learning. The award is named in memory of Dr. H.H. Stern in recognition of his contribution to second language instruction in Canada. Dr. H.H. Stern was a highly respected educator and the visionary initiator of the National Core French Study.

Each H.H. Stern Award recipient receives a $200 to $500 grant, an award certificate, an invitation with all expenses paid to attend the CASLT Annual General Meeting and a free one year CASLT membership. The award includes a grant towards the furthering of the recipient’s efforts in innovative classroom practices supporting second language learning.

Examples of past winning projects

Sonya LeGresley is a Consultant in School District 9 in Tracadie- Sheila, New Brunswick. She consulted with experts to review research related to intensive language learning and instruction, in Intensive English programs in Quebec, and Intensive French programs then being piloted in New Brunswick. Thereafter, she set forth with her team to create a pilot project in School District 9 of the Acadian Peninsula in the 2006-07 school year.

Student motivation to learn their official second language, increased language competence, and local support for the program were the main elements of success of the initial pilot year. The project has expanded yearly throughout the Acadian Peninsula and has grown to 19 intensive classes for 2010-11.

For a list of past recipients and their projects, click here.

Application Procedure

If you are a CASLT member, you can apply for the H.H. Stern Award. To be considered for the award, your proposal must:

• be innovative through the application of new techniques, strategies and/or approaches to learning;
• identify the impact of the project in the classroom, school or community;
• demonstrate the related improvement of student language learning;
• have the potential for duplication in other classrooms, schools, and communities;
• include a brief plan for evaluating the innovation.

1. Download the application form

Your applications should include:
-  completed application form clearly identifying the teaching level and target second language, short applicant biography and a current electronic photograph;
-  completed project description answering the 5 focus questions;
-  endorsement by a colleague or supervisor related to the impact of the project.

2. Send your applications electronically to the CASLT National Office via email: guyleclair@caslt.org.

Your application must be received no later than March 31 of each year. Grants are announced by the end of April and funds are forwarded by the end of May.

***Grants may be allocated to projects which are already in progress but which have not previously received funding under this program. Applicants may not be funded for more than one project in the same school year. The awards are determined by an ad hoc selection committee through CASLT's Board of Directors. Priority will be given to CASLT members in good standing.