The Vancouver Learning Centre
is the "Village" it takes
to get the very best outcome
for each learner.

The VLC is not a school but a Specialist Learning Centre. The VLC delivers a team-based process. A teaching captain is assigned to oversee the program delivery and to be the main contact with the parents who then become an integrated part of the team. Schools can then be involved as appropriate.

In the case of home schooling, the curriculum, homework tasks, testing, and the program to earn credentials and provide oversight to the curriculum is up to the distance education school. This becomes the learner’s school and the VLC will work collaboratively with the school’s contact person and will actively address all IEPs or special needs developed by that school.

Whether the student attends on site at VLC and remains as part of a class or works with a distance education school, the VLC becomes the specialist provider of one to one teaching based on the special needs of the learner in collaboration with the learner’s parents and the contact person assigned by the school.

The Vancouver Learning Centre
is the "Village" it takes
to get the very best outcome
for each learner.
Dr. Schwartz here...

Language, the ability to speak and communicate, is the carrier of intellectual development in all learning, and most particularly in academic learning.

There are many causes of language delay. Hearing impairment, even if it is mild, and a whole variety of disorders like cleft palate or even simple blockages in the eustachian tubes in the ears, affect language learning.

Children whose first language is not English, or who are raised by non-English speaking caregivers are also affected.

Left unresolved, this situation has long-term effects on school performance and life outcomes.

At the VLC, our Specialized Language Development signature program addresses this issue proactively. 

At the VLC, we now know the brain is neuroplastic and can improve in skills and function when a different, strategic approach to teaching these learners is undertaken. The VLC’s individually designed, strategic, targeted program addresses its signature programs and services to the root cause of learning difficulties and developmental delay in each case in 4 ways: 

  • We establish goals and potential academic destinations by identifying and using the learners’ strengths.
  • We address weaknesses (below grade level performance) by building new skill platforms in areas of weakness using a different approach to teaching them.
  • We integrate both of the above by building success into current and future learning by the array of neurocognitive and academic programs and services set forth in each individual program at age appropriate levels in:
    1. Neurocognitive training
    2. Academic skills and executive function development
    3. Emotional maturity and regulation training
  • The VLC’s Learning to Learn signature programs and services are taught at appropriate age and grade level so they can be used to grow strengths to challenge levels to:
    1. Build skills to grade level and work directly on emotional strength and regulation to inspire more mature behaviour
    2. Look ahead at their academic challenges directly (Week-Ahead Program) and use teaching, coaching and practice strategies to reduce their challenges to manageable levels if they are attending regular classes at their grade level.