The purpose of this project is to develop online resources to support the teaching and learning of workplace integration language skills for newcomers. The project will create a set of resources that can be used flexibly to support teacher-led and learner self-study of pragmatic language expressions within workplace contexts. Video and audio resources will support newcomers to be aware of the gap between language and behavior that is perceived as appropriate and will help them learn to adjust their own language and behavior to be perceived as acceptable to their Canadian co-workers and supervisors. A guide to teaching workplace-appropriate language usage (pragmatics) for English-as-a-Second language instructors will also be developed.
For the Office There are five videos for the office context. The first is of a multicultural team in a boardroom meeting that highlights a number of cultural orientations and workplace values (see facilitator guide for descriptions). The next four depict short interactions between characters who are navigating cultural differences to make sense of the boardroom meeting. Topics highlighted are:
For Industry There are also five videos for the industry context. The first is of a tailgate meeting of a multicultural team. The remaining four break down some challenges of multicultural work teams related to safety, showing initiative and speaking up on the job (download facilitator guide for descriptions). Topics highlighted are:
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The Language Study Tables were developed as a tool to help learners build their understanding of pragmatic competence (soft skills) in the Canadian workplace. These are useful and practical resources for ESL teachers and learners. This section may also be valuable to large company representatives or small business leaders who are looking for language resources to recommend to their international employees. There are a total of ten tables divided into the following speech acts:
Ten intercultural miscommunications between characters have been taken out of the full videos and broken down into the various stages of the Something's up! Cycle (see Facilitator Guide). Learners are guided through the Something's Up! Cycle with multiple-choice or true/false questions. Facilitators can use this resource to give participants the opportunity to practice using a tool for making sense of intercultural misunderstandings.
The Facilitator Guide helps instructors use the videos effectively in workplace training contexts or in the ESL classroom. The guide outlines our Centre's language and intercultural training methods and how to break down the videos as a facilitator.
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The focus of this workshop was to introduce the resources to human resource representatives, trainers and training specialists. Three workshops of this kind were delivered to a total of 35 participants.
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This focus of this workshop was to introduce the resources to students and teachers and get feedback on usefulness and practicality. A total of nine ESL classes and one English in the Workplace (EWP) class participated. The EWP class was delivered via videoconference to Grande Prairie. Over 170 students and teachers participated.
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The goal of this presentation was to introduce the project focus and acquire feedback on the early development of the resources. Over 40 participants attended and we again thank them for their invaluable feedback on the resources during their early development.
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The goal of this presentation was to present project results and resources to the national ESL instructor audience. Over 50 teachers and materials developers attended.
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