Transcript International Polar Year

Using CCLB tools to facilitate
employment
Anne Senior, Specialist Consultant
What is the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks?
• The CCLB/CNCLC is the centre of
expertise in support of national
language standards in English and
French
• National, not-for-profit
Recent Canadian Immigration Statistics
• 1990’s
The population grew by 1.4 million people with 70% made up
of immigrants1.
• 2001 – 2006
The population grew more rapidly by 5.4% due to increased
international migration2.
• 2008 (second quarter)
The population posted its highest quarterly growth
since 1991 due mainly to a rise in net international migration
which reached its highest level since the end of the 1980s.
1.
Towards Understanding Business, Labour, and Sector Council Needs and Challenges Related to
Enhanced Language Training (June 2004), The Canadian Labour & Business Centre.
2.
Statistics Canada, March 13, 2007
3.
Statistics Canada, March 12, 2009
The Flip Side
“Recent immigrants to Canada have higher average
levels of education than Canadian-born population
[however] the labour market outcomes of immigrants
are poor and worsening.”
“Even with higher levels of education and better
skills, immigrants are now less successful than
Canadian-born workers with an equivalent education
… and it can “take up to 10 years for the earnings of
university-education immigrants to catch up to those
of their Canadian counterparts.”
SOURCE: HRSDC Report, Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians (pages 51) available at
http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca
Underemployed?
Only 44% of immigrants had found
jobs within 6 months of arriving
here.
• 60% worked in occupational areas
different from what they did prior to
immigrating.
• 52% of these were looking for jobs in
areas different from what they did in
their home country.
Statistics Canada: Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada: Process,
Progress, and Prospects.89-611-XIE
Two Sides of the Coin
Top 3 factors cited by:
Immigrants that affect
their employability:
1.
2.
3.
Work experience
Transferability of
foreign credentials
Lack of official
language skills
1
Employers that affected
their hiring decisions of
immigrants:
Language difficulties
(66%)
2. Difficulties assessing
foreign credentials.(52%)
3. Lack of Canadian
experience (46%)
1.
2
1
Stats Canada Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants
2
Canadian Labour and Business Centre’s Viewpoints
2002 Survey.
Challenges - Language
In September 2006, we
asked 79 HR
professionals, trainers,
and counsellors:
16%
0%
To what extent do you
think language is a
challenge for
immigrants seeking
employment?
Serious
Problem
Minor
Problem
Not a
Problem
•A serious problem?
•A minor problem?
•Not a problem?
84%
Gaps Identified with Language
25%
33%
On the Phone
In Conversation
Reading their
Emails
Interviewing
22%
Problem Solving
10%
5%
5%
Other
Other Language Gaps
• Asking for clarification
• Expressing oneself
• Understanding
vocabulary, slang and
heavy accents
We also know…
• Job hunting and
networking differ from
culture to culture
• Communication at work
is different in other
cultures
Work Ready
A resource kit for HR
Professionals and others
making hiring decisions
or counselling
immigrants
Focuses on improving
communication with
newcomers
Free online format or hard
copy
http://elearning.language.ca
Why Hire Immigrants?
Some Challenges and Solutions
Sample Assessment Report
Newcomer comments on preparing to work in
Canada
Challenges & Solutions forum
A World of Experience (article)
Communication = 2 Way Street
Jargon, idioms, buzz words
Examples of workplace communication tasks and
levels
CanDo checklists
Best Practices for various tasks
Communication Code of Practice
Hiring, Training, Retaining
Coaching and rephrasing questions
HR Tips
Cross-cultural interviews
Determining language levels
Language Training at Work
Intercultural Management
10 ways checklist.
CLBs & Essential Skills
Introduction to CLB and Essential Skills
OLAs & sample orientation clip
Correlation chart
Fast Facts
PLAR Profile
WLA Pre-Screening Tool
It is a resource for referring Internationally Trained
Individuals (ITIs) to next steps or pathways*.
* Pathways may include:
Full language assessment
Bridge-to-Work programs
Post-secondary education
Support to pass accreditation tests
Employment
Key features
It is not a test – it is to help with decisions on whether or
not a learner is ready for pathways requiring a higher
level of language – benchmark 6 and higher
It allows ITIs to demonstrate writing, reading, speaking and
listening skills
It takes 30 minutes to administer
It provides a general language range based on the Canadian
Language Benchmarks.
It is administered by trained counsellors
Description of the Tool
Screening Form for reading and writing
Screening Interview for listening and speaking
Two checklists
Report Form
Gives feedback on the approximate level of a learner
Why CLB 6
Why does the WLA Pre-Screening Tool refer to
Benchmark 6?
Benchmark +/- 6 is the generally accepted
entry level into bridge-to-work programs or
professional employment
Using the Checklist
Clients generally should meet at least three of
the criteria in each of the speaking and
listening checklists to be considered ready for
next steps that require higher levels of English.
Use the information gathered from the checklists
to inform decisions on training, employment or
further language assessment.
WLA Pre-Screening Form
First part looks like an application form.
Second part requires the ITI to provide an
introduction to his/her work experience.
Pre-Screening Interview
Interviewer follows a script.
Reviews the ITI’s performance based on the following
questions:
•
Are the answers relevant?
•
Does the ITI have the words to say what he/she means?
•
Is the conversation easy to follow
•
Are the responses structured and are the arguments
developed?
The WLA Pre-Screening Tool in Context
Refer to
language
training
ITI
WLA
Pre-Screening
Tool
Counselor
Result
Tool Box
11/26/2007
Refer to
Bridging/
ELT
Refer to
higher level
assessment
Refer
to
employment
24
Language for Work
Language for Work contains…
Best Practices
• Program design
• Assessment and intake
• Classroom methodology
• Integrating Best Practices into the workplace
Language for Work contains…
Three-Step Diagnostic
Step 1
Determine Needs
Step 2
Identify Workplace
Language Skill Gaps
Step 3
Incorporating
Techniques and
Interventions in the
Classroom
Learner Profile: Example
• In Canada for over 20 years
• Has developed good listening skills and the ability to speak
confidently, although with grammatical errors
• Completed only grade eight in her native country of Poland
• Struggles with printed material
CLB level
(benchmark)
Speaking
8
Listening
9
Reading
4
Writing
6
Eva
Language for Work contains…
Resources for ESL Literacy Learners
Who are ESL Literacy Learners? They:
• Are speakers of a language with no writing system
• May have had little or no education in their country
• Have some sporadic education and understand written words
have meanings but cannot read or write in their native language
• Have come from a country with a non-Roman alphabet, but have
reading and writing skills which can be transferred into English
Resources for ESL Literacy Learners
Diagnostic Literacy Checklist
• Used during an interview
• Checklist/questionnaire completed by the practitioner
• Helps recognize literacy needs
Reflective Practitioner Checklist
• Mental checklist
• Used on an ongoing basis to self-check planning and
teaching
Contact us:
Anne Senior, [email protected]