Are you an internationally trained professional?

The Workplace Language Training program consists of 3 courses that specifically target the language skills needed to not only succeed in the professional workplace but to first succeed in the interview. The program is designed to target the areas of communication in an intensive skill specific program. Each course includes 156 hours of instruction in a 13 week period.

This is an Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program that is fully funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. In addition to the language/ communication skills training, eligible candidates will also be given support through employment workshops, networking opportunities, volunteering opportunities and mentoring.

Course Descriptions

Workplace Culture and Communication for Newcomers: prepares newcomers for the Canadian workplace by demystifying cultural issues faced by foreign trained professionals in all fields. Key topics include Canadian workplace culture, employability skills and job search strategies. An in-depth look into policies, regulations as well as the rights and responsibilities of the employee and the employer will guide the student to not only succeeding in the workplace but also in first succeeding in the interview. Understanding the cultural significance of conflict resolution, negotiating, customer service and team work will further enhance the students understanding of the significance of the soft communication skills in the context of the Canadian professional workplace.

Writing for Professional Purposes: focuses on writing for specific purposes essential to the Canadian Workplace (e.g. report writing, directives, technical writing, summaries, etc.) Students will learn to determine tone and register through the use of plain language. General principles of written business communication, business email, letters as well as report writing will be addressed. The details of routine messages, the language of negative messages will be covered. Accuracy and the ability to self-edit will be the focus of this course.

Oral Communication Skills for Professionals: concentrates on interpersonal communication skills (e.g. public speaking, negotiation skills, presentation tips, leadership skills etc.) You will also understand the importance of employability skills that provides a framework in which communication skills are understood. The soft skills of communication that are used in teamwork, networking, conducting meetings, resolving conflict and more. Students in this course will further improve their job preparedness by learning of the different communication styles of others in relation to your own communication style. Improvement in pronunciation and fluency are targeted in each class.

Workplace Exposure will consist of meaningful placement in a volunteer/job-shadowing position in a professional office relative to the student's training and will occur at the end of the course. This will be an unpaid workplace exposure that is valid as Canadian experience.

What Do Those Who Have Taken Workplace Language Training Say?

“Improved my communication and interview skills that play an important role in finding a job” – internationally trained mechanical engineer, Montreal

 “I used to think clichés in writing were beautiful…I now know more about tone and styles of writing at work; it’s so important in my career!”– internationally trained civil engineer, Toronto

 “I had a hard time organizing my thoughts into sentences…learned a lot about writing and presenting my ideas in the course” – internationally trained pharmacy graduate, Ottawa

 “After taking a language course I feel more confident when I talk to people, thanks to better pronunciation and larger vocabulary I am using”.  Internationally trained teacher, Ottawa

 “An effective course to help newcomers…knowing what to say and how to say it is so important at work…” –internationally trained nurse, Ottawa
 

Who Can I Contact to Find Out More?

For more information, please contact:

Shirley Graham , Project Manager
Workplace Language Training for Newcomers (WLTN)

LASI World Skills Inc.
300-219 Argyle Avenue, Ottawa, ON  K2P 2H4

Tel: 613-233-0453, ext. 306, Fax: 613-232-1757

shirley@ottawa-worldskills.org

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