Heartland was founded in 1999 in Winnipeg to help international students achieve their English learning goals. A lot has changed in the world in the past 25 years. Most of our applications arrived by fax back in 1999! Heartland has adapted to the changes and challenges over that period and has grown from a single class to a leader in language education in Canada.
Over the years, our school facilities have adapted and improved. Our curriculum has evolved with students needs and improved with advances in learning and technology. In 2015, we even expanded with a new campus in Mississauga, Ontario. Throughout all of the changes, what hasn’t changed is our belief that the key to the best language learning is caring and professional teachers and support staff in the right environment. We are looking forward to the years ahead as we continue our effort to be the best place to learn English.
February 3, 1999 – Heartland International English School name Registration Partnership between Gary Gervais and Rennie Zegalski
May 31, 1999 – First Employee starts, Teacher Stuart Schwartz
June 1, 1999 – Heartland opens for business at 508 Portage Avenue
June 16, 1999 – Heartland welcomes first student Nese Ozturk (Left), from Turkey. 3 days later Yukiko Starts her program (Right).
December 22, 2000 – Heartland incorporates
Summer 2001 – Carol and Keira start working at Heartland
June 2002 – Heartland moves to 161 Portage Avenue
March 2003 – Yoshiko starts working at Heartland
September 2003 – Heartland recognized as one of Canada’s fastest growing start-up companies by Profit Magazine
2005 – Heartland launches a new curriculum
April 2008 – Jeneen starts working at Heartland
January 2009 – Heartland receives Languages Canada accreditation
June 2009 – Heartland celebrates 10 year anniversary
January 2010 – Heartland moves homestay program in-house
May 2010 – Heartland moves to 294 William Avenue
November 2011 – Jon starts working at Heartland
September 2014 – Heartland becomes an Official IELTS Test Centre
June 2015 – Heartland opens location in Mississauga, Ontatrio
June 2015 – Jenni starts working at Heartland
April 2017 – Douglas starts working at Heartland
April 2017 – Heartland purchases 280 William
June 2017 – Jasmin starts working at Heartland
November 2017 – Lane starts working at Heartland
March 1, 2018 – Heartland moves to 280 William Avenue
March 2018 – Jeff starts working at Heartland
June 14, 2018 – Heartland celebrates new location with colleagues, alumni, friends and family at the Open House
November, 2018 – Heartland becomes an Official CELPIP Test Venue
January 2019 – Ken starts working at Heartland
April 2019 – Michelle starts working at Heartland
May 2019 – Sara starts working at Heartland
June 1, 2019 – Heartland’s 20 year anniversary of the first day of open business
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June 14th, 2019 – Heartland Celebrates 20th anniversary of the first students
March 23, 2020 – Heartland starts offering classes 100% online including the Friday Activity by partnering and supporting local Manitoba businesses and performers affected by COVID.
June 10, 2020 – Heartland returns to in-person classes at limited capacity and continues to offer online classes
September, 2020 – Heartland returns to in-person classes at full capacity and we continue offering online classes
May 17, 2021 – Moé starts working at Heartland
July 2, 2021 – Miguel starts working at Heartland
August, 2021 – Margaret starts working at Heartland
July, 2023 – Grace starts working at Heartland
August, 2023 – Naomi starts working at Heartland
November 2023 – Scott starts working at Heartland
June 2024 – Heartland Celebrates 25th anniversary of the first students
