- Work Ready: CLB Resources for Counselling, Hiring, and Working with Internationally Trained Individuals
- Using culturally-competent interview language
- Awareness of body language at interviews
ADDRESSING LANGUAGE BARRIERS IN THE WORKPLACE
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TOOLKIT
Hiring and Training Resources
Communicating with Limited English Speakers
Language Assessment Resources
Most immigrant service organizations and school boards offering ESL classes can help individuals find a Language Assessment Centre.
- For information on using Language Assessment Centres, click here.
- Click here to find a list of centres in centres in Ontario that conduct English language assessments.
Occupation-Specific Language Assessment Resources
Occupational language analysis
- An occupational language analysis (OLA) defines the standard English and French language requirements of an occupation based on the tasks identified in occupation-specific Essential Skills Profiles. To learn more, click here.
Centre for Canadian language benchmarks: a guide for trades and professional organizations
- This manual provides guidelines and a framework for organizations interested in developing occupation-specific language assessment tools for professions and trades based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks. To learn more, click here.
Language Training for Immigrants
Access to language training services
Many immigrants require English language training, but often encounter various barriers in accessing language training.
There are services to help skilled immigrants enhance their language skills, if necessary.
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LINC training
- ESL (English as a Second Language) Tutoring Programs: if an immigrant does not qualify for LINC training, there are ESL tutoring programs that rely on volunteer tutors to assist immigrants in developing their language skills
- To find a listing of English and French language classes for immigrants in Ontario and an Online Search Tool, click here
- To find a listing of language training providers across Canada, click here
Clear, reliable communication between all levels of an organization and between an organization and its clients is critical to an organization’s success
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Communication can be verbal (spoken) or non-verbal (body language such as gestures and facial expressions)
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Communication styles and customs often vary from one culture to the next
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The type of media, technology and other tools used to convey information should be appropriate and effective for the target audience in each situation. Consideration of appropriate methods of conveying messages to specific groups in a diverse community is beneficial
Hiring and management staff often cite communication difficulties as a major barrier, if not the greatest barrier, to employing internationally educated/trained individuals; however, many of the challenges related to language barriers in the workplace can be addressed using the tools and resources found below.
Employers, especially those of diverse groups, should prepare their staff for success. This occurs through training, mentoring, and behaviour modelling. Providing training to staff in cultural competence reflects organizational commitment to establish culturally competent work environments and services. Understanding cultures and subcultures that make up teams and organizations provide a greater likelihood that cross-cultural integration will succeed. Communication is at the centre of the integration process. If companies fail to see the importance of effective communication, workplace happiness, staff retention, and productivity may suffer.
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Helpful Links |
