Funding provided by Human Resources & Skills Development Canada TESL NS 2005

CCLB’s Essential Skills Website Presented by: Marianne Kayed, Project Mgr. Mkayed@language.ca

Education vs. Skills Literacy Educational Credentials Numeracy Problem Solving Skills In the latest ALLS survey from Stats Canada, the numbers show that where recent immigrants are concerned, that Educational credentials do not always correlate with functional levels of ability in literacy, numeracy, or problem solving in the official language of the host country. Learning a Living: First Results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (2005)

Knowledge vs. Skills In Canada, 65% of recent immigrants with upper secondary education , yet only about 40% attain Levels 3, 4/5. (Literacy levels) “This raises an important question regarding whether the knowledge and skills acquired abroad are useable in the host country and to what extent the portability is attenuated by (official) language proficiency.” p.212, Learning a Living: First Results of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (2005)

Essential Skills Workers who have Essential Skills at the levels required for their desired occupations will have enhanced employability. Measuring Up! How well do newcomers and immigrants measure up?

The 9 Essential Skills Reading text* Document use* Numeracy Writing* Oral Communication* Working with Others Continuous Learning Thinking Skills Computer Use These are the nine essential skills identified by HRSDC. For our project, we will be working only with those skills associated with language: Reading text Document Use Writing Oral Communication.

CCLB & HRSDC Currently 2 projects related to Essential Skills funded by HRSDC Includes alignment between CLBs and ES related to communication Work done to develop resources and materials based on the alignment useful to both ESL/FSL and to Essential Skills practitioners.

Two CCLB Projects… Online ES Resources for ESL/FSL Professionals 2. Language Profiling of Tourism Sector Occupations Based on ES Profiles The two projects we’ve received funding for are: Online Essential Skills Resources for ESL/FSL Professionals. Language Profiling of Tourism Sector Occupations Based on Essential Skills Profiles. Both projects are scheduled to run for one and a half years.

ES Resources for ESL/FSL Web Page (itessential.ca) CLB/Essential Skills Comparative Framework Best Practices How to Manual Online version Sample Module Lists of Resource Materials Sample Lessons

Language Profiling Project Web Page (itessential.ca) Occupational Language Analyses Best Practices Orientation to OLAs Online version Sample Lessons Sample Module

The Skills Alignment Canadian Language Benchmarks Essential Skills Speaking Oral Communication Listening Reading Reading Text Writing Reading & Writing Document Use As mentioned on the previous slide, we are dealing with 4 Essential Skills that are slightly different than those we’re used to in the CLBs. For the alignment, we are suggesting we align the skills as in the table. In Essential Skills, oral communication which is a broad definition of tasks, is aligned with the CLB Speaking and Listening skills. Document Use refers to how a person uses authentic workplace materials and could cover things like reading tables, schedules, safety manuals, graphs, forms, etc.

Itsessential.ca Home Page

Background

About ES

What’s New?

Comparative Framework

Initial CF Validation Pilot Pilot #1 - January – March 2005, over 40 ESL teachers participated in pilot of Comparative Framework. CLB and ES experts also participated in review and feedback of document. Pilot #2 – Nov.2005 - Jan.2006 Researchers: Stewart, Geraci, Nagy Teachers asked to use the framework for a 2+ month period with materials selection, curriculum development, and indicate other ways they found it useful. Part of the feedback centred on the specific parts of the framework. Particularly gave feedback on clarity, usability, usefulness, comprehensibility of document. Skills evaluated in focus groups – Reading and Document Use. Plans to seek funding to do further validation of the framework in Speaking, Listening, and Writing to provide further validation of the document. If you are interested in being notified when the final report is ready and/or the final version of the framework, please sign the sheet going around the room.

CF Chart

Sections

CF Global Descriptors

Task Descriptors

Community Page

Language Analyses

Definition of OLA An Occupational Language Analysis (OLA) is a standardized summary of language competencies , referenced to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), that is linked to success in one occupation.

Tourism OLAs

OLAS to Date Bartender Freshwater Angler Kitchen Helper Hotel Front Desk Agent Travel Counsellor Taxicab Driver Golf Club Manager Guest Services Attendant* Tour Guide Line Cook Food and Beverage Server Food Counter Attendant Special Events Coordinator* Professional Cook*

Definition of OLA An Occupational Language Analysis (OLA) is a standardized summary of language competencies , referenced to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), that is linked to success in one occupation.

OLA Structure Job Definition/Info Overview How to Read OLA Comparative Indicators Common Conditions of Communication Skill breakdown Tanis

OLA Best Practices Defines an OLA Describes development protocols Maintenance Interpetation Application

OLAs Immigrants Instructors OLAs Job Analysts Employers Government Sectors

OLA Support Resources “Orientation to OLAs” multimedia approach for 3 target groups: HR, ESL teachers, and counsellors. Orientation to OLA methodology For teachers, Sample Lesson Plans.

OLAs & ESL Learn about which language skills at which CLB levels are required to perform job-related tasks. See the range of language skills required to do a particular occupation. Refer to it when planning curriculum and activities for specialized ESL. Develop learning plans related to an occupation’s language requirements. Use the checklist for existing language skills and for new tasks being learned.

CLB/ES Resources

Sample Lesson Plans

Lesson Module

CLB/ES Research

CCLB Research