Transcript Working in French at the WRHA

OFFERING SERVICE IN
FRENCH AT THE WRHA
WHY DO WE DO IT?
Requirement of the 7 designated bilingual
Regional Health Authorities
Requirement of the Francophone Affairs
Secretariat – Province of Manitoba
But more importantly :
IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND IT’S
IMPORTANT TO THE FRANCOPHONE
CLIENT, PATIENT, RESIDENT AND/OR
THEIR FAMILY
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
Here are a few responses from a community
survey undertaken in 2007:
 I only speak French.
 Because it’s my language and when it comes to
health care I think people express themselves
better in their language.
 Although I can get by in English, my mother
tongue is French.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
The more personal the communication the
more I want to speak in my mother tongue.
During a crisis, for me I understand and
communicate better in French.
I feel comfortable when I can speak in
French and people understand me.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
It’s easier to communicate (my) needs.
 Especially when I’m with my kids because
they do not understand English at all, so
it’s easier in French.
I speak English to speed up the process.
People give in to the circumstances when
they are in need of medical care, or a
loved one is.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? WHAT
DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
It’s my mother especially who needed
services and she would have understood
better if the communication had been in
French. I accompanied her everywhere to
explain and translate what the nurses and
doctors said, even with home care
services. Her English was limited; her
French was better.
WHO WORKS IN FRENCH?
 Designated bilingual employee – working in
French is a requirement of their position
 Must meet linguistic requirements set for the
position
 Position is designated bilingual based on
population served
 Must make an « active offer » of French
 Works for a designated bilingual or francophone,
facility, program, service or agency of the WRHA
WHO WORKS IN FRENCH?
Bilingual employee – Providing service in
French is a personal choice
 Offers a service in French when a bilingual client
presents and the employee feels they have the
appropriate linguistic capacity to serve the client
in French
 The « active offer » is optional
 No lingustic criteria attached to position
 Works for a designated bilingual or francophone,
facility, program, service or agency of the
WRHA, or elsewhere
WHAT IS AN ACTIVE OFFER?
An offer of services in French which
reflects measures taken to ensure that
services in French are evident, readily
available, easily accessible (whether
provided by oral, written or electronic
methods) and of comparable quality to
those offered in English.
LINGUISTIC TESTING - formal
Only employees applying for designated
bilingual postions are formally tested
We test spoken French (how some one
expresses themself and their
understanding of verbal French)
May also test written French (writing and
comprehension of written French)
Each position has different linguistic
requirements based on the functions of the
position
LINGUISTIC TESTING - formal
If the empoyee does not pass their test at
the required level they can still be hired
under « condition of employment » if they
meet the minimum language criteria
Given a maximum period of 2 years to
improve their French
Must attend night classes
Must take a test every 6 months until they
pass
LINGUISTIC TESTING - Informal
Service offered to all bilingual employees who
are interested in knowing what their level is
based on the system used by the WRHA
Only test spoken French
Consists of a 10 minute conversation about your
work, your interests in life, etc.
Results are confidential
If the employee ever applies for a designated
bilingual position, they would have to take a
formal test
EXAMPLES OF LEVELS
 Nurse – Level A
 At this level, one is able to give oral presentations in both
formal and informal settings. The individual is able to present a
fairly detailed outline of his/her line of reasoning on general or
work-related topics in these settings as well as in meetings
and discussion groups. Some mastery of idioms and of
specific vocabulary appropriate to a variety of contexts, both
formal and informal, is evident. The correct use of regional
variants is expected while deficiencies in vocabulary will most
probably be compensated for. Grammar is generally
appropriate. Pronunciation may show moderate mother tongue
interference. Deficiencies in vocabulary will be compensated
for by synonyms and paraphrases. Discourse may be marked
by hesitations but these may nevertheless appear acceptable
to the mother tongue listener. Problems may be encountered
in discussing more specialized topics, but the individual at this
level will have very little difficulty in making himself/herself
understood.
EXAMPLES OF LEVELS
 Scheduling Clerk – Level B+
 This level implies the capacity to take part in a variety of
verbal exchanges using different kinds of sentences types.
The individual at this level would function optimally in a
one-to-one interview, but should also be able to contribute
to meetings and discussion groups. The individual would be
able to convey the essentials of his/her ideas and opinions
on general or work-related topics without necessarily being
able to give a detailed outline of the line of reasoning.
There would likely be vocabulary, idioms and regional
variants inappropriately used. Hesitations of moderate
length may be relatively frequent on general or work-related
topics and would increase as the individual attempts to
speak in detail on any specific subject matter.
EXAMPLES OF LEVELS
 Regional Manager of French Language Services - Level A+
 This level implies all the capacities in level A.
One uses native-like pronunciation. Knowledge
of grammatical structures is almost equivalent or
equivalent to that of a native speaker of the
same occupational group. Vocabulary is
apparently as accurate and extensive as that of
a native speaker of the same professional
group. Speech on all professional and general
topics is effortless and smooth.
HOW ARE BILINGUAL
EMPLOYEES SUPPORTED?
Courses at Collège Saint- Boniface – 2
programs
Workshops offered by French Language
Services :
 Vocabulary Builder /Active Offer with Ease
Bite-sized grammar courses
Immersion Days
Resource Centre
Web site
Hello/Bonjour + J’apprends le Français pins
Cultural activities
WHY WE VALUE BILINGUAL
STAFF
Whether an employee is working in a
designated bilingual job or a bilingual
employee who volontarily offers a service
in French to francophones, their work and
their passion contribute to the well-being
of the WRHA’s clients.
But it is not only French Language
Services who appreciates bilingual
staff...
OUR CLIENTS APPRECIATE
THEM TOO
I was thrilled when we were greeted in
French at the Children's Hospital day
surgery dept! Thank you very much! My
son felt much more comfortable.
Completely satisfied with Centre de santé
St Boniface and Health Links - Info-Santé
Foyer Valade is French and we are always
received in French. Bravo!
OUR CLIENTS APPRECIATE
THEM TOO
I have always received magnificent
service in the two facilities which I go to.
I have lived in Winnipeg for 39 years and
the services have greatly improved.
There has been a lot of improvement
these past years. Bravo.
OUR CLIENTS APPRECIATE
THEM TOO
I always feel like I am disturbing people
if I ask for service in French!
We hear this type of comment less and
less often because of the service bilingual
employees provide.
Their clients notice the difference
QUESTIONS?
• Call French Language Services at
237-2889 or email us at:
[email protected]