Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT)

Improve your workplace communication skills

Newcomers to Canada often encounter barriers to employment, including lack of Canadian work experience, language barriers, differences in workplace culture, difficulties in obtaining recognition for foreign qualifications and international experience, discrimination and lack of workplace integration and diversity programs.

Pursue FREE newcomer service language training that will help you to:

communicate better with supervisors, colleagues and clients;
understand your sector and occupation in Canada;
understand Canadian workplace culture in your field; and
develop strong interviewing, networking and job-search communication skills.

Who is eligible?

Participants must be one of the following:

- Permanent resident
- Convention refugees/Protected persons
- Ukrainian temporary resident
- Temporary resident affected by the crisis in Gaza (showing “MOME2023” in status documentation)

They must live in Ontario and have training or experience in a specific occupation or industry but need to improve their occupation-specific communication skills.

Participants must have CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) level 5 and up. If your level is lower than 5, please refer to Fanshawe’s English Language Institute to learn how you can improve it and become eligible for OSLT.

How to get started?

Step 1

Learn more about the OSLT courses.

Step 2

If you have questions about OSLT or would like to register, contact us at oslt@fanshawec.ca.

Step 3

Staff will book a one-on-one virtual or phone appointment with you to answer questions and help you register.

Upcoming Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) courses

Workplace Communication Skills For Professional Manager | Blended | Sep 9 – Nov 30, 2024

This 140-hour course is delivered in a blended format that integrates zoom classes and online elements.

This practical and innovative course will help you

understand management within business and technology workplaces in Ontario.
better communicate as a professional manager and understand the socio-cultural dimensions of management in Ontario.
interact effectively with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management.

Small-group exercises based on everyday communication tasks in management will help you

practice common on-the-job communication to improve your workplace language skills.
communicate in one-on-one interactions, in meetings and through email.
give presentations appropriate for managers.
share information and manage challenging interactions with staff, colleagues and upper levels of management.

Workplace Communication Skills for Professional Managers is for you if:

you have training or experience as a manager in business or technology environments.
your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 12 hrs/week for 12 weeks

Dates: September 9 – November 30, 2024

Days: Zoom classes on Mon/Thu 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. /

Online learning 6-8 hrs/week at your own pace

Managing Workplace Interactions | Online | Sep 9 – Oct 27, 2024

This practical and innovative 40-hour online course will help you learn and practice language skills for managing interactions and working effectively with others in the workplace. Relevant cultural concepts will also be presented throughout the course. You will participate in Zoom classes once a week and the rest of the work is done online. This course requires access to a computer with video and audio capabilities as well as an Internet connection. This course can be taken from anywhere in Ontario.

This practical and innovative course will help you

explore workplace structures and workplace cultural concepts.
work in teams, make and respond to requests, offer suggestions and recommendations, and negotiate and problem-solve with others.
participate in team meetings.
deal with challenging interactions.

Managing Workplace Interactions in Ontario is for you if:

you have training or experience in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, project management, sales and marketing, architectural technology, engineering technology or information technology.
your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
you are familiar with computers and related technology.
you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 6-8 hrs/week for 6 weeks

Dates: September 9 – October 27, 2024

Days: Zoom Classes - 1 hr/week on Tuesdays 6 - 7 p.m.

Online learning 5-7hrs/week at your own pace

Accessing The Business Job Market |Online | Nov 4 – Dec 22, 2024

This 40-hour online course addresses the language and communication skills needed when searching for a job.

This practical and innovative course will help you

develop communication skills needed to introduce yourself professionally in the job search context.
describe requirements for working in your chosen occupation in Ontario.
develop a Job Action Plan for securing employment in your chosen occupation.

Accessing the Business Job Market is for you if:

you have training or experience in business or technology environments.
your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 6-8 hrs/week for 6 weeks

Dates: November 4 – December 22, 2024

Days: Zoom classes on Thursdays, 7 – 8p.m.

Online learning: 5-7 hrs/week at your own pace.

Exploring Intercultural Communications In Health Sciences |Online | Dec 2 – Dec 22, 2024

Zoom classes: once a week, evening hours, exact days tbd

In this course you will learn about intercultural communication in Health Sciences and discuss related concepts, such as workplace culture and cultural competence.

Exploring Intercultural Communications is for you if:

you have training or experience in health care environments.
your English is at an intermediate level (at least level 6 in Canadian Language Benchmarks).
you are a permanent resident or a protected person who lives in Ontario.

Time commitment: 7 hrs/week for 3 weeks

Dates: December 2 – December 22, 2024

Days: Zoom classes on Wednesdays, 7 – 8p.m.

Online learning: 5-6 hrs/week at your own pace.