Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT)

This 140-hour course is delivered in a blended format that integrates zoom classes and online elements.

This practical and innovative course will help you

• understand management within business and technology workplaces in Ontario.
• better communicate as a professional manager and understand the socio-cultural dimensions of management in Ontario.
• interact effectively with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in management will help you

• practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
• communicate in one-on-one interactions, in meetings and through email.
• give presentations appropriate for managers.
• share information and manage challenging interactions with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management.

Workplace Communication Skills for Professional Managers is for you if:

• you have training or experience as a manager in business or technology environments.
• your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
• you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 12 hrs/week for 12 weeks

Dates: September 9 – November 30, 2024

Days:   Zoom classes on Mon/Thu 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. / 

Online learning 6-8 hrs/week at your own pace

This practical and innovative 40-hour online course will help you learn and practice language skills for managing interactions and working effectively with others in the workplace. Relevant cultural concepts will also be presented throughout the course. You will participate in Zoom classes once a week and the rest of the work is done online. This course requires access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. This course can be taken from anywhere in Ontario.

This practical and innovative course will help you

• explore workplace structures and workplace cultural concepts.
• work in teams, make and respond to requests, offer suggestions and recommendations, and negotiate and problem-solve with others.
• participate in team meetings.
• deal with challenging interactions.

Managing Workplace Interactions in Ontario is for you if:

• you have training or experience in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, project management, sales and marketing, architectural technology, engineering technology or information technology.
• your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
• you are familiar with computers and related technology.
• you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 6-8 hrs/week for 6 weeks

Dates: September 9 – October 27, 2024

Days:   Zoom Classes - 1 hr/week on Tuesdays 6 - 7 p.m. 

Online learning 5-7hrs/week at your own pace

This 40-hour online course addresses the language and communication skills needed when searching for a job. 

This practical and innovative course will help you

• develop communication skills needed to introduce yourself professionally in the job search context.
• describe requirements for working in your chosen occupation in Ontario.
• develop a Job Action Plan for securing employment in your chosen occupation.

Accessing the Business Job Market is for you if:

• you have training or experience in business or technology environments.
• your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
• you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 6-8 hrs/week for 6 weeks

Dates: November 4 – December 22, 2024

Days:   Zoom classes on Thursdays, 7 – 8p.m.

Online learning: 5-7 hrs/week at your own pace.

Zoom classes: once a week, evening hours, exact days tbd

In this course you will learn about intercultural communication in Health Sciences and discuss related concepts, such as workplace culture and cultural competence. 

Exploring Intercultural Communications is for you if:

• you have training or experience in health care environments.
• your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
• you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 7 hrs/week for 3 weeks

Dates: January 3 - January 21, 2025

Days:   Zoom classes on Wednesdays, 7 – 8p.m.

Online learning: 5-6 hrs/week at your own pace.

Zoom classes on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This course is for you if you have training or experience as a manager in business or technology environments. It will help you better communicate as a professional manager and understand the socio-cultural dimensions of management in Ontario. The course addresses the language and communication skills needed to gather and share information with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management; communicate in one-on-one interactions, in meetings and through email; manage challenging interactions with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management; give presentations appropriate for managers. Sector background knowledge and culture relevant to the workplace context in Ontario are explicitly addressed in communication practice tasks.

Time commitment: 12 weeks / 140 hours

Dates: Jan 6 – Mar 30, 2025 

Zoom classes: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

This 40-hour online course focuses on the language and socio-cultural communication requirements of writing workplace communication in the business and technology sectors at CLB 7 to 8. The course addresses the language and communication skills needed to develop a strategic approach to writing workplace communication, understand purpose and audience in written workplace communication, use logical structure in emails and write effective emails to make requests, exchange information, make complaints and follow up.

Time commitment: 8 weeks / 40 hours

Dates: Jan 13 – Mar 19, 2025 

Zoom classes: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

This online course addresses the language and communication skills needed when searching for a job in the health care industry. You will learn how to introduce yourself professionally in the job search context, describe your professional experience and present your knowledge, skills and attributes effectively. The course will help you conduct research related to a job search, such as labour market trends, occupational requirements, pathways for working in your occupation, networking opportunities and helpful resources. You will develop a Job Action Plan for securing employment in your chosen occupation.

Time commitment: 6 weeks / 40 hours

Dates: Jan 27 – Mar 9, 2025

Zoom classes: Thursdays, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

This course focuses on the language and socio-cultural communication requirements for working in the civil, electrical and mechanical trades at CLB 5/6 to 8. It addresses the language and communication skills needed to receive task instructions, provide status reports on a job, communicate by phone, work with others, and manage routine interactions with superiors and co-workers within the Ontario construction trades context.

Time commitment: 7 weeks / 40 hours

Dates: Jan 27 – Mar 15, 2025