Future Directions in Language Training

37th TESL Ontario Conference Panel Discussion December 11, 2009

Outline 1. Immigrants in the recession 2. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) goals and priorities 3. Current language training system in Ontario 4.

Redesigning MCI’s language training program

• Goal • Implementation • Objectives

5. Future vision of adult language training 2

Immigrants in the recession

• Pre-recession immigrants experiencing labour market challenges.

• At the peak of the recession impact, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants had doubled and was twice that of Canadian-born.

• Labour market recovery seems to have begun, yet immigrants are still experiencing disproportionately high unemployment rates.

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Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration goals and priority areas

•

Goals:

 Support the economic success of immigrants and the economic growth of the province  Contribute to the development of a multicultural, diverse society of fully participating citizens •

Priority areas:

1. Attraction Initiatives and Pre-arrival Services 2. Coordinated Settlement Services

3. A Comprehensive Language Training System

4. Labour Market Integration 5. Community and Employer Engagement

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Current language training system in Ontario Provincial Programs

• Adult Non-Credit ESL/FSL/CL (MCI) • Specialized Language Training (MCI) • Bridge Training (MCI) • Adult Credit ESL (MEDU) • English Language Learners – K to 12 (MEDU) • Literacy and Basic Skills (MTCU)

Federal Programs

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada • Enhanced Language Training • Occupation-specific Language Training

Delivering Agencies

• School boards (K-12 and Continuing Education) • Community Organizations • Colleges and Universities • Private Institutions • Independent Learning Centre (TVO)

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Navigating adult language training in Ontario

Where do I go?

How do I register?

What is the right class for me?

I AM…

Citizen/ Permanent Resident/ Refugee Claimant/ Convention Refugee/ Protected Person

I AM…

Permanent Resident/ Convention Refugee/ Protected Person In-class, Informal and Formal Assessment Adult Non-Credit Adult Credit SLT Bridge Training 18 LINC Assessment Centres LINC, ELT, OSLT

Language Training Classes

I AM…

Paying Student Range of tests: TOEFL and IELTS Post-secondary & Private Institutions

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Redesigning MCI’s language training program Goal:

To ensure the provincial Adult Non-Credit English/French as a Second Language Training Program: • is learner-focused and results-based; • addresses the full spectrum of adult language training needs; • aligns with provincial objectives for adult education; and • is coordinated with federal language training programs.

Objectives:

1. Access to training 2. Program accountability and standards 3. Labour market language training 4. Coordination with the federal government 5. Funding and program design flexibility

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Implementation

• Will be phased in over 3 school years: 

2009/10 School Year

 Introduce program changes 

2010/11 School Year

 Continue implementation of program changes 

2011/12 School Year

 Complete implementation of program changes

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Objective 1: Access to training Key initiatives / activities:

• Promoting language training • Clarifying and expanding the eligibility criteria • Facilitating learner transitions • Ensuring there are no service gaps

Find a Language Class www.ontarioimmigration.ca/adultlanguagetraining 9

Objective 2: Program accountability and standards Key initiatives / activities:

• Supporting professional development opportunities for instructors • Aligning courses to the Canadian Language Benchmarks • Introducing standardized curriculum guidelines • Introducing a minimum instructor certification standard (considering TESL Ontario) • Adopting the Average Enrolment Method as the single standard method to calculate Average Daily Enrolment and developing a reporting framework • Establishing performance measures and an evaluation framework • Introducing a Learner Feedback System

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A demographic profile of MCI learners

• • • • • • • • •

Characteristics of learners (mainly ESL) in the provincial language training program as of Fall 2008:

Female Post-secondary school graduate Between 30 and 44 years of age First language either Spanish or Chinese Born in China or Colombia Lived in Canada for 3 years or less Either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen Worked in a “white collar” job in their country of origin Not currently working

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Objective 3: Labour market language training Key initiatives / activities:

• Continuing to support the Specialized Language Training Pilot Projects initiative • Facilitating access to curriculum resources • Supporting partnerships between school boards and employers • Encouraging innovation

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Objective 4: Coordination with the federal government Key initiatives / activities:

• Improving coordination with federal programs • Coordinated language assessment and referral system • Guidelines for the coordination of federal and provincial classes • Developing provincial standards for learner promotion and transition

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Objective 5: Funding and program design flexibility Key initiatives / activities:

• Increasing funding level in 2009/10 • Providing one-time funding grants to support Redesign activities • Entering into multi-year agreements • Exploring the development of specialized program criteria

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Future vision for adult language training system in Ontario I am an adult who wants to learn English or French as a Second Language.

Coordinated Language Training System Language Training Classes

• • • • • •

Adult Non-Credit Specialized Language Training Bridge Training LINC ELT OSLT Where am I going next?

• Post-secondary • Accreditation • Work • Other

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System 15