About Audrey Wearn

THE AUDREY WEARN LEGACY

This prize honours the life and legacy of Audrey Wearn, championing her enduring commitment to the ongoing recognition, protection and support of language learning in Canadian youth.

A firm believer in the positive and long-lasting impact of a bilingual education, Audrey Wearn hoped to empower the next generation of Canadians both personally and professionally to design solutions that make language learning accessible, dynamic and reflective of the diverse voices that shape our communities. 


At age 17, Audrey attended Western University's French Immersion School in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec. Through this 6-week program, she became fully immersed in French language studies - an experience that ultimately would shape the path of both her personal and professional life.


What I got out of learning another language and living it was a whole new perspective on the world. It expanded my horizons, my thinking and my interests, my understanding of who I was and my own heritage” 


Audrey later attended McGill university, where she double majored as a French and English student, with notable career highlights as a Communications Officer in Federal Government; FSL editor, publisher of math and FSL programs at Pearson Education, Nelson Education, and Apple. Language learning was central to Audrey’s life work, seeking to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to embrace different perspectives, broaden ideas of culture and language, and inspire human connection.

“Learning a second language changed my life trajectory and enriched me, so much on so many levels.”

The Audrey Wearn Language Arts Prize was created under the mission to encourage youth ages 16+ to solve a language based problem in their community, devising an impactful solution that will shape the paths of generations to come.


After carefully considering feedback, we have revised the schedule for the Audrey Prize application process. Applications will be open from September 24th to October 28th. Finalists will be announced by November 11th!

To learn more about The Audrey Wearn Language Prize please drop us a line at: team@futuredesignschool.com; subject line: Audrey Wearn Language Prize