| Course | Number of Levels | Course Length |
In this course, learners will focus on achieving clear enunciation through awareness of problem areas that cause or could cause confusion in the listener. Rapid improvement is attained through modification of rate, rhythm, and intonation of speech; differentiation of subtle vowel tone distinctions; increased clarity and volume; biofeedback; and posture improvement. Intensive drills are centered on these areas. | II IV | Each level has two-half day (3 hours) workshops plus a one hour one-on-one session per trainee |
In this course, learners focus on clear comprehension of the differentiation of function, meaning, and effective usage of the 16 basic verb tenses, modal verbs, and all their passive forms. Formal, polite sentence structure specific to business correspondence is emphasized. Writing homework and workbook exercises are a required component of the course. | I II III IV | Each level has five
2-hour weekly sessions |
In this course, learners acquire active, analytical reading skills and the ability to quickly locate vital information, paraphrase, and summarize key data. Readings are dissected to map their structure – the central argument/thesis and how that argument is supported. Basic inferential and deductive reasoning are covered to assess the quality of an argument's logic and identify possible sources of bias. Each level uses increasingly more complex texts drawn from a variety of sources and disciplines. | I II III IV | Each level is a one day (6 hours) workshop |
Workshop participants receive editorial critique of their writing style. Improvement is achieved through the study and emulation of effective model reports and correspondence, which entails an analysis of their organization, sentence structure, and vocabulary. This is followed by writing assignments in creating executive summaries, progress reports, and minutes. Learners progress through effective outlines, drafts, and final reports, along the way acquiring self-editing skills through peer and instructor review. | I II III IV | Each level is a one day (6 hours) workshop |
Participants improve the quality of their short, written business correspondence. Improvement is achieved through the study of correspondence protocol, templates of email and memo topics, and writing practice. | I II III IV | Each level is a one day (6 hours) workshop |
Learners acquire the tools to give effective presentations on a variety of topics including products, processes, and statistical data, encompassing preliminary, progress, and conclusive aspects of a project. Presentation skills are enhanced through training in organization, confidence, body language, vocal modulation, and audio/visual tools including PowerPoint. Learners will have the opportunity to practice making presentations of increasing complexity. | I II III IV | Each level is a one day (6 hours) workshop |
Workshop participants acquire the tools to meet the needs of internal and external customer service, in person and by telephone. These include active listening, probing and clarifying, language modeling, conflict resolution, and bridging and closing techniques. Preliminary exercises are conducted in listening and summarizing. | I II III IV | Each level has four half-day (3 hours) workshop |
This series comprises workshops and discussions to help employees comfortably integrate into the Canadian workplace. Topics include workplace values, human rights, ethics, labour law, business etiquette, engaging in small talk, and superior/subordinate relations in Canada. | I II III IV | Each level has four half-day (3 hours) workshop |
Through role play and the introduction of appropriate language, participants learn how to contribute to and derive the most benefit from meetings. Skill areas include active listening, effective note taking, asking for clarification and probing, listening and summarizing, raising questions and objections, and offering feedback. | I II III IV | Each level has four half-day (3 hours) workshop |
A seminar for supervisors and managers to help them understand the idiosyncratic communication styles of foreign-born workers. Seminar participants will learn how to encourage these workers' participation within the Canadian multicultural workplace environment and reduce inefficiency due to misunderstanding. | IV | One day workshop
(6 hours) |
A seminar in effective speaking for supervisors and managers. Areas covered include interviewing, giving feedback, performance reviews, managing teams, interpreting non-verbal communication, and motivating subordinates through improved interpersonal skills. | IV | One day workshop
(6 hours) |
Most employees believe that being a team player is the most important aspect in workplace success*. To this end, workshop participants will develop skills to improve the efficiency of group projects through identification and playing of roles, and discussing and practicing the social skills necessary for cooperative engagement. Team activities will lead individuals to experience how they can achieve more through concerted effort than is possible individually. Self-assessment is encouraged to raise awareness of gaps in performance and improve the team's efficacy. | III | One day workshop
(6 hours) |
| Key to levels: I Low Intermediate: Basic fluency II Intermediate: Functional
III High Intermediate: Comfortable fluency IV Advanced: Near-native fluency |
