This document was the result of a team project from Norquest College’s School of Intercultural Communication. It was written to help newcomers understand the communication context in Canadian workplaces.
The general learning outcomes include:
- Understanding Canadian safety policy specific to the workplace
- Practice pronunciation clarity for the workplace
- Learn about working in a multicultural organization
- Expand industry-specific and idiomatic vocabulary
Free access:
The focus of this resource is to build awareness and improve intercultural communication in culturally diverse work environments. It is intended for foreign-trained professionals, but will also be a useful resource for their Canadian counterparts and for the professional development of ESL instructors.
The resource has four parts: a series of 19 short (2-minute) videos, supported by an activity guide, a booklet of scene-by-scene breakdowns for the videos to give context to each scene, and a guide containing the full transcripts of each video.
The scenarios in the videos are based on the lived experiences of newcomers. (The resource is not referenced to the CLBs, but the language is at an intermediate/advanced level.) The videos present authentic challenges in intercultural communication in a workplace setting: refusing to shake hands, failing to understand the unwritten rules in a meeting, not communicating problems to a supervisor, having a difficult conversation about uncomfortable behaviours.
The resource aims to increase intercultural awareness and competency, build and practice workplace skills and appropriate language. The aim is to enhance the employability of newcomers, give them the tools to navigate communication differences in multicultural settings, not only to enter the labour market but also to maintain employment.
This is a 240-page e-book that provides lessons in reading, document use and math. The lessons are built on real-life examples and follow four individuals in different workplaces in Ontario. The organization and layout is appealing to a reader. The four individuals work in four different jobs. Instructors and students can decide which worker to learn about. There are self-assessments as well as critical thinking questions embedded in the modules.
These online activities focus on English vocabulary and grammar exercises for the hospitality industry in the categories of food & beverage, hotel, travel/tourism, politeness training. While individual files are free to download, there is a fee option that allows you to download a topic file.
This is a 240-page e-book that provides lessons in reading, document use and math. The lessons are built on real-life examples and follow four individuals in the workplace in Ontario. The organization and layout is appealing to a reader. The four individuals work in four different jobs. Instructors and students can decide which worker to learn about. There is self-assessment as well as critical thinking questions embedded in the modules.
This online textbook is geared towards CLB 5–6 learners. It is designed to be used by an instructor or tutor. An instructor guide is provided. The focus is on the Canadian workplace: workplace culture, development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, plus Essential Skills and intercultural competence.
The text introduces two characters, a Strategy Coach and a Workplace Mentor. The Strategy Coach provides strategies to develop language skills. The Workplace Mentor introduces learners to general workplace culture in Canada.
- Video tasks and focus questions help learners develop “noticing skills” and prompt discussions about similarities and differences between the learner’s home culture and Canadian culture.
- Reading sections provide reading passages, pre- and post-reading activities. There is also a reading progress check for self-assessment.
- Each listening section has two listening texts with pre- and post-listening activities, and a listening progress check for practice and self-assessment.
- A writing section with pre-writing tasks, writing practice and a progress check. A rubric is included that generally aligns with CLBs.
- A speaking section contains pronunciation, speaking practice and a progress check. A rubric is included.
- Wrap-up includes discussion, reflection and extension tasks. The extension activities have vocabulary log activities, community tasks and research opportunities.
There is a workbook and an online course for newcomers hoping to find a job in food processing occupations. The course provides instruction in job skills, job-specific language, vocabulary and pronunciation, Canadian workplace culture, workplace documents, and health and safety. This is a joint-project of the Alberta government and Alberta Workforce Essential Skills (AWES); it is open to all newcomers to Canada.
Alberta LINC 5 Curriculum Linking Canadian Language Benchmarks to Essential Skills with an Implementation Guide for Instructors. Resource from 2008.
A Career Survival Guide for New Immigrants. Book: 200 pages.
Contents include career assessment, marketing yourself, Canadian workplace culture, values, and expectations.
Published 2011, 2nd edition by WCS Publisher.
Available through bookstores. ISBN: 9780981310404
For more information see: https://www.mcgill.ca/caps/no-canadian-experience-eh-career-success-guide-new-immigrants-2nd-ed
Developed by Kingston Literacy and Skills, this manual includes 12 interactive training videos that demonstrate the skills and language required in the small business workplace.
This 66-page workbook is intended for internationally trained individuals who have arrived in Canada or are considering moving to the country. It is designed to help with research before or upon arrival. The chapters provide concise information, and lots of space for note taking with headings and guiding questions to assist the newcomer.
There are five sections, written at an intermediate level, that cover the following topics:
- Living in Canada: links to provincial and territorial governments and immigrant-serving organizations, housing, finding a school, important documents and money.
- Improving your English or French: government-funded classes.
- Finding a job: information on regulated and non-regulated professions, skills and training information, starting one’s own business.
- Work-related documents: gathering, sending, translating papers.
- Educational and academic credentials: educational upgrading or completing a training program.
Free access: www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/workbook-national.pdf
This curriculum has been developed by the Prince Edward Learning Centre and Literacy Link Eastern Ontario. It is ideal for learners planning to work in retail, such as in a grocery or clothing store. The 7-module course covers the Essential Skills, including language, needed in retail occupations.
You’re Hired…Now What? An Immigrant’s Guide to Success in the Canadian Workplace Text and Workbook $
When learners have employment goals, these resources fill in the gap between the skills and activities needed to write a resume, to have a successful interview and the competencies and to acquire the skills needed to keep a job in Canada. Topics include a broad range of areas that instructors may need some support in teaching:
- Workplace culture
- Business talk
- Telephone tips
- Getting along with others
- Business etiquette
- Office politics
- Networking
- Meetings
The text communicates core information and the workbook supports that learning. Each unit is organized in the same pattern and there is an answer key in the back.
Available to purchase:
Book $45.50
Workbook $23.50
ISBN-13: 9780195432183
Publisher: Oxford University Press
