1. Using the Language Companion as a Classroom Tool
Catherine Hodgins
Ottawa Carleton School Board
PBLA Lead/LINC and ESL Instructor

2. Language Companions Who uses them in their classroom now?
What level/levels do you teach?
What do you like best about the binders?

3. Language Companions 3 levels – Literacy, Stage 1 and Stage 2
Part of LINC and ESL programs
Free for learners
Welcoming (and a welcome) gift
Support PBLA process
to collect artefacts that show learner progress towards their goals
to document competence and achievement in language related to CLB goals

4. Language Companions Orientation to class/school
Looking at and understanding CLB levels
Storing class papers and assessments
Reading assignments
Build vocabulary and idiomatic spoken English
Getting to know your new community and country

5. Orientation to class/school
Opening binder package, name card, move dividers
Introduction to PBLA process
Education information
Tips for learning English
Listening/reading activities – Table of Contents
Scavenger hunts
Binder introductions for new learners

6. Language Companion
Name:________________________
Date:_________________________
Go to page ii. Read and copy the words.
The Language Companion is yours.
The Language Companion belongs to _____________.
Put your ____________ and phone number of your school on it.
Bring it to each _____________.
The Language Companion has helpful information.
It can help you while you learn __________________.
It can help you learn about _________________.
Your___________ will help you use the Language Companion.
The Language Companion is a place to keep your work.
Put your ___________ in the Language Companion.
You and your teacher will _______ at it to see how you are doing.
My Canada
What page is Canada? ________
What page is Holidays? ________
What page is Health Care in Canada? _______
Helpful English
What page is Days and Months? ________
What page is Weather? ________
What page is Immediate Family?________

7. New Language Companion Scavenger Hunt – Stage 1
Welcome to the New Language Companion.
Read the questions and find the answers by searching through your new Language Companion. You can work with a partner if you wish.
Look in My Canada section:
1. Write the page numbers for the following topics:
Canada’s People ______
Money and Finances ______
Renting a Home ______
Services that Help ______
2. Look for information about Holidays. Check page _____
When is Thanksgiving? ___________________
3. Look for information about Education for Children. Check page ____
Secondary School (High School) in Canada is from grade __ or __ to grade ___.
Look in Where I Live section:
4. Write the page numbers for the following topics:
Government ______
Healthcare ______
Transportation ______
5. Look for information about My Province or Territory. Check page ___
Copy the website to get information about Ontario _________________
Look at Helpful English section:
6. Write the page numbers for the following topics:
Getting a Job ______ to _____
Learning ______ to _____
Past Verb Tenses ______
Tips for Learning English ______
7. Look for information about Helpful Websites for Learning English.
Check page _____
Copy one website address you would like to try ______________________

8. Looking at and understanding CLB levels
Canadian Language Benchmarks section
Literacy Binder – 3 pages on ESL Literacy: “Some things you can do in class” – Reading, Writing and Numbers
Record benchmarks on a contract or needs assessment for learner’s reference
Can Do statements

9. Storing class papers and assessments
Filing and retrieving class papers
Keeping things in order
Listening to instructions and finding information and/or materials in different sections

10. Reading assignments Comprehension questions Note-taking
Read and report to others
Use websites to explore further…

11. CLB 2 Reading Health Care in Canada
Name: ________________ Date: __________________
Answer these questions about Health Care in Canada:
(Language Companion CLB 1 – 4 My Canada p. 30)
True or False – circle the correct answer:
1. Canada has public health insurance.
True
False
2. Canadians pay directly at the doctor, clinic or hospital.
3. Every province has its own public health insurance system.
4. Public health insurance pays when you stay in the hospital
5. Public health insurance pays for dentists.
6. Public health insurance does not pay for some services.
Total: ___/6

12. Build vocabulary and idiomatic spoken English
Helpful English section
Literacy –
Picture dictionary format
Stage 1 and 2 -Functional English – appropriate sentences for a variety of situations explaining about formal and informal language
Stage 2 –
Employment
Academic Success

13. Getting to know your new community and country
My Canada section
Wonderful maps
Supports thematic units you are working on in the classroom
Where I Live section
Fill in the blanks on some pages with relevant, local and current information

14. Use it Everyday Calendar Look up information on a regular basis
Last 10 minutes/First 10 minutes – “Binder Time”
Self-Reflection

15. More ideas… PBLA Guide for Teachers and Programs Challenges
Please share your ideas…

16. Thank you! Thank you for your participation Enjoy your weekend!