Transcript The Universities Language Training Project

Provide access to second language tools to
Canadian universities
Information kit for coordinators and students
Is this a new program?
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Yes. This pilot program was created as
part of the Roadmap for Canada’s
Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for
the Future, an initiative spearheaded by
the Canadian government.
The Canada School of Public Service
provides access to some of its language
training products to certain Canadian
universities.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/slools/pubs/08-13-LDL/indexeng.cfm
http://www.cspsefpc.gc.ca/pbp/rcld-eng.asp
What are the objectives of the program?
The objectives of this program are to:
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create a pool of new graduates who meet the
federal government’s language requirements and
are considering a career in the federal public
service;
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give university students access to the same
premium language training tools as federal public
servants;
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enable the university students taking part in the
program to understand the importance of and
issues related to linguistic duality within the federal
government.
What am I getting myself into if I participate in the
program?
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Be prepared to spend 5 to 10 hours a week
studying one of the two official languages.
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Participate fully and actively throughout the
initiative.
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Diligently perform the tasks that are part of the
curriculum.
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Meet the program requirements set by the
Canada School of Public Service and your
university.
How can I find out if I’m a good candidate for
the program?
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You first have to meet the selection criteria.
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You will have to be available for preliminary
placement and language assessment tests.
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You will have to be prepared to meet the
program requirements set by the School and
your university.
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You can also contact the resource person at
your university for more information.
What are the selection criteria I have to consider if I
want to participate in the program?
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You are prepared to spend 5 to 10 hours a week
learning your second language.
You have certain skills in your second language,
that is, you have previously studied it or been
exposed to it.
You are considering a career in the federal public
service.
You are self-reliant, independent, motivated and
anxious to learn.
You are able to express yourself, seek help when
you encounter a problem as you are learning,
open to new approaches and to the use of
technology as a learning tool.
You are willing to share and provide feedback
related to your learning.
When can I start the program?
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The learning phase of the program
were launched at some universities
on January 11, 2010, a bit later at
others. Contact your resource
person for information on when the
program begins at your university.
Will I have to take any tests or exams?
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Yes, you will have to take three types of
tests:
 placement tests to determine your
learning style and your ability to learn a
language;
 Public Service Commission (PSC)
second-language tests to determine
your level of language proficiency;
 during the program, skills checks and
progress tests to determine how you
are advancing.
What are placement tests?
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They are designed to determine your aptitude to
learn a second language and establish your
learner profile.
They are administered by the School’s
Orientation Services in cooperation with your
university.
You will have to set aside 3 to 4 hours for the
tests.
They include three different components:
 the first determines your ability to learn a
language;
 the second identifies your learning style;
 Finally, a questionnaire provides information
on your language background.
What are Public Service Commission tests?
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The purpose of the PSC’s second-language
tests is to identity your ability to perform
linguistic tasks in your second language.
The tests are administered by a PSC officer
http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca or a designated
representative.
They can be completed on line or with pen and
paper, in person at a PSC office or by
telephone depending on where you live.
The tests take 3 to 4 hours.
You will take three different tests:
 reading comprehension;
 written expression;
 oral interaction.
Is this a university credit program? Will I get credits when I
complete the program?
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For now, the program does not
offer any credits that can be used
to obtain a university degree.
What will I get out of the program?
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A Public Service Commission linguistic profile valid for 5 years.
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Increased proficiency in your second language.
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Better knowledge and understanding of the federal public service and
related issues.
How will this language program complement
my current university program?
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Proficiency in a second language opens
new doors and gives you access to more
resources.
At some universities, knowledge of a
second language is a prerequisite for
graduation.
The approach used by the program allows
you to develop your bilingual skills not only
at school, but also in your day-to-day life.
The approach gives you flexibility in
learning your second language and also
enables you to identify the learning
strategies that work best for you. Imagine
not having to sit in a classroom for hours in
order to learn!
How will this program help me in my professional
career?
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Proficiency in your second language
increases employment opportunities.
Having a valid linguistic profile already will
expedite the hiring process should you
decide to join the Public Service.
You will have access to more interesting and
better-paying jobs.
You will be able to express yourself better in
your second language both at work and in
your free time.
It gives you an opportunity to open up to and
learn more about another culture.
If fosters more effective communication and
more harmonious relations between groups.
It enables you to work anywhere in Canada
and in other countries, too!
Will the program make me truly bilingual?
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That depends a lot on you!
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Our products are proven to work.
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Motivation, attitude, aptitude, effort,
attendance and investment of time and
energy are all factors that will have a
bearing on your success.
Could I work on the program from home?
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Yes.
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The program is on line.
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You can work from anywhere
provided you have Internet access
and the software needed to run the
tools.
How many hours a week will I have to spend on the
program?
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It all depends on the group you will belong to.
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Within this initiative, three distinct groups will be constituted,
namely: the guided group, the self-directed group and the
control group.
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If you belong to the guided group, you will have to spend 5 to
10 hours a week studying your second language.
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If you belong to the self-directed group, it is up to you to
determine the number of hours you will invest to your learning
weekly.
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The control group is used to establish a reference point and
to compare learning results within the study. (see the next slide
for more information regarding the difference between these
groups).
What is exactly the difference between these three groups?
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In a nutshell, the learners in the guided groups will have access to some privileges which will not be
made available to the participants of the two other groups. The table below summarizes some of
these privileges.
Groupe guidé
Groupe autodirigé
Groupe contrôle
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Soutien
pédagogique
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Tests de la
CFP
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Outils en ligne
Bulletin
hebdomadaire
Tests progrès
Who is eligible to take part in the program?
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Undergraduate and graduate students.
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Students identified by their university who
are willing to stick with the program and
meet its requirements.
I am a master’s student. Will I be able to finish the
program by March 2012?
• You will not be able to do the entire program. Because this is a pilot
project and for management and research reasons, the schedule
applies to all participants.
• However, depending on the agreement between your university and
the School, you may be able to take part in the program and do the
required work for at least 12 months.
• Contact the resource person at your university for more information.
Will the program help me get a government job
faster?
• The program is not designed to
place participants in government
jobs.
• However, at the end of the
program, participants will have a
valid linguistic profile, which is a
requirement for a large number of
federal government jobs http://jobsemplois.gc.ca . In addition, they will
have had an opportunity to become
familiar with the realities of the
federal government.
Could the program help me find a summer job with
the federal government?
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The program is not designed to help
you find a summer job with the
federal government.
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However, the program will expose
you to the realities of government,
and because you will be more
informed, it may be easier for you to
find a summer job with the federal
government http://jobsemplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/indexeng.htm .
What would happen if I were to be away from university for
a while? Would I be able to resume the program when I got
back?
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These questions are handled directly by the
university. It is recommended that you
discuss the matter promptly with the
program resource person at your university.
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You should know that the tools are
accessible online, via the School’s virtual
campus, and that you can actually continue
your learning even if you are not on your
own university campus. The choice is
yours.
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However, your university may require you
to attend in person from time to time for a
variety of educational or administrative
reasons related to the program.
Is this program similar to the federal government’s
co-op program?
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No, this is not a co-op program.
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This is a language program. It covers
second-language learning and
understanding of linguistic duality in the
federal public service.
What happens if I decide to withdraw from the
program?
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It depends on when you withdraw and the
agreement with your university.
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Language learning takes place over a long
time.
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You will also have to meet with the resource
person at your university and complete a
leaving interview questionnaire that will help us
understand why you left.
What resources are available to help me complete
the program successfully?
• On-line Canada School of Public Service tools specially selected for the
university program.
• Resource persons assigned to the project at your university who can
guide you through your learning process.
• Depending on the delivery method chosen by your university, a
dedicated portal for the community of practice that includes the
participants and support from the School’s educational officers.
I noticed that there were several groups. Do I get to
choose a group?
 Maybe. It depends on the agreement between your university and the
Canada School of Public Service and whether your university is able to
offer all or only some of the program options.
 You should therefore discuss the matter with the program resource
person at your university.
What would happen if I changed faculties or
universities?
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If you change faculties, you can continue in
the program provided you make arrangements
with the program resource person at your
university.
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If you change universities, you unfortunately
cannot continue in the program unless you
move to a university that also takes part in the
program and is willing to let you join.
What happens at the end of the program?
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If you successfully complete the program:
 you will have a valid Public Service
Commission linguistic profile for 5
years;
 you will know more about and have a
better understanding of linguistic
duality in the federal public service;
 you will receive a certificate of
achievement confirming that you have
completed the entire program.
What is the deadline for applications?
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Get moving! Space is limited. Give
your name to the program
resource person at your university.
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He or she will contact the School
in order to get the ball rolling on a
preliminary assessment.
What do I have to do if I decide to take part in the
program? Where do I apply?
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Start by deciding whether you are motivated and prepared to take on the
responsibilities associated with the program.
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Contact the resource person at your university to find out if you meet all the
admission criteria.
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Provide the resource person with the information needed to open a file for
you and proceed with the next steps.
Where can I get more information?
Go to the following sites for more information:
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Roadmap http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/slo-ols/strat-eng.cfm
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CSPS initiative http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/pbp/rcld-eng.asp
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PSC tests http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc-cpp/sle-els/index-eng.htm
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CSPS placement services http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/ifo/20080603-eng.asp
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Government jobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/index-eng.htm
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Student jobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm