1. Benchmarks Research inWorkplace Communication &How it Can Inform the College CurriculumTESL Conference (November 2008) Aga Palalas Valerie Scovill 1 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

2. Occupation-Specific Language Profiles OSLP OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 2

3. What constituencies do you represent? What would you like to take from this presentation? What major questions would you like to have answered? Participants 3 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

4. Project Goals Provide Internationally Trained Immigrant (ITI) graduates with communication skills that will lead to their success in the workplace Develop occupation-specific language profiles CLB-based non-regulated occupations Recommend curriculum enhancements focus on occupation-specific communication skills 4 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

5. Training from Vancouver Community College CLPBT certification Benchmarking, curriculum design, ESL teaching expertise Initial research into programs and workplaces Preparation for project 5 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

6. Phase 1: Research Phase 2: Recommendations for curricular modifications Phase 3: Design and development of language supports Phase 4: Pilot of language supports Phase 5: Dissemination of findings OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 6 OSLP – Project Activities

7. OSLP Team Team two ESL specialists/benchmarkers project lead/researcher two CLBPT assessors research assistant curriculum writer instructional designer subject matter expert Communication wiki 7 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

8. Benchmark language requirements of final semester courses Benchmark language requirements of entry-level jobs Language skills of students in both programs assessed (CLBPT) Phase 1: Research 8 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

9. Prepare - tools Arrange - faculty interviews and class visits Arrange – student interviews Collate results Follow up 9 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

10. Contact - workplaces Arrange – interviews with employees and managers Arrange - workplace observations Collate results Follow-up with employers 10 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

11. ITI students Gather information – students focus groups surveys (zoomerang – www.zoomerang.com) language testing 11 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

12. Findings: Accounting program 12 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

13. Findings: Accounting Program OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 13

14. OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 14 Findings: Accounting Workplace

15. Findings: Accounting Students OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 15

16. AccountingStudents OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 16

17. Identifying the gap OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 17

18. Findings: Activation Program 18 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

19. Findings: Activation Program 19 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

20. 20 Findings:Activation workplace OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

21. Activation Workplace OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario 21

22. Findings: Activation Students 22 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

23. 23 Comparison OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

24. 24 Comparison OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

25. Listening/speaking is most important skill Speaking and listening are key to success Mostly interact orally with both clients and co-workers Decisions are collaborative – work as a team Contact is usually by telephone Reports are also written but often generated from an accounting program Bookkeeping : Workplace Observations 25 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

26. Work/duties are self-directed, very little supervision More than 80% of interaction with co-workers is in person Most interaction with people outside the workplace, making arrangements for events and activities, is by phone or in person, email is used for follow-up Non-verbal communication is important – touch, eye contact, smile Activation: Workplace Observations 26 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

27. Determine any misalignment between findings Research best practices, both internal and external projects Present findings to faculty Decide on final directions and solutions based on dialogue Phase 2: Recommendations for curricular modifications 27 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

29. online

31. Accounting language adjunct Incremental language support One semester (pilot) Course-specific with some generic content Modular Scalable and sustainable Language training, socio-cultural skills and Canadian workplace Hours: 14 weeks x (2+2+1) Developed with help of accounting faculty 29 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

32. Adjunct curriculum Target Exit: Reading CLB 8/9, Writing CLB 7, Listening 7/8, Speaking 7/8 Focus on speaking and listening Critical reading and writing competencies Business terms and colloquial language Pronunciation Supported by online (with moderator) and mobile components 30 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

33. Online component Flexible delivery Moderated by an ESL teacher WebCT language activities assessment interactivity communication audio and video (in-house and open source) Eportfolios, blogs, podcasts Reinforcing classroom instruction & practice Vocabulary practice 31 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

34. Mobile component Listening modules iPods / MP3 players In-house and open source Key terms and definitions (Accounting textbook) Excerpts from textbooks Pronunciation Telephone scripts Listening quizzes Follow-up activities on-line 32 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

35. PD support Activity Toolbox teaching strategies fostering communication practice and discussion, interaction, collaboration Course-specific booklets mini-lessons vocabulary sheets Faculty workshops Newsletter Consultation Online companion (resources, discussions) 33 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

36. Pilot adjunct, PD, online and mobile components Make recommendations for future curriculum delivery Test students (CLBPT) before and after curricular enhancements Track graduates for employment status 12 months after graduation Phase 4: Pilot of language supports 34 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

37. Tracking graduates for success in the workplace Evaluation of pilot language activities Recommendations for next steps Final report presenting all deliverables Phase 5: Dissemination of findings 35 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario

38. Q&A 36 OSLP Occupation-Specific Language Profiles Funded by the Government of Ontario