Language for Work: CLB and Essential Skills For ESL Instructors -Colette Pépin, Project Officer, CCLB

Outline 1. Essential Skills Initiative (3 guidebooks) 2. Guidebook for ESL Instructors 3. Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), Essential Skills (ES) and how they relate 4. Lesson Plans (template and rational) 5. Approaches to Incorporate ES

Tools and Resources to Support the Use of Essential Skills Project aims to support three groups o Job analysts o Workplace trainers o ESL/FSL instructors Three guidebooks entitled Language for Work: CLB and Essential Skills

Language for Work - what’s inside? Section I - Information CLB, ES and their relationship Employers expectations (communicative performance) Transferable skills (workplace to workplace) Language skills in the classroom versus in the workplace

Language for Work - what’s inside? Section II- Resources for planning The Comparative Framework o CLB 3 – 12 Foundational Framework o CLB 1-5 Links to additional resources o A variety of authentic workplace-related materials for all CLB levels

Language for Work - what’s inside? Section III – Ideas and tips Approaches in creating lesson plan Tips to incorporating Essential Skills 10 sample lesson plans

Canadian Language Benchmarks For adult ESL learners Illustrates communicative proficiency in progressively Demanding tasks Demanding contexts Higher performance expectations

Essential Skills Not created for ESL learners Describe tasks rather than a person’s ability to demonstrate a task Not technical skills, apply to all occupations Complexity ratings 1-4 or 5 * Except Working with Others and Continuous Learning “Essential Skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life.” - ES Website

Understanding Complexity Levels Oral Communication : Find out which global issue concerns your neighbour the most. (Obtains specific information; ES 1) Converse with your neighbour to learn why this issue is the most important and follow-up with a question. (Exchanges information; ES 2)

Convince your colleague that your issue is more important than theirs, without disregarding their opinion. Try to anticipate their reaction and consequently adapt your approach in trying to persuade them. (Persuades. Exchanges detailed complex information and opinions; ES 3) Manage a discussion with a multi-stakeholder population. Present a global issue and suggest possible solutions that can accommodate as many people as possible. (Facilitates complex group problem solving and decision making; ES 4) Understanding Complexity Levels (cont’d)

Nine Essential Skills 1. Reading Text 2. Document Use _ (ex)(ex) 3. Writing 4. Numeracy _ (ex)(ex) 5. Oral Communication 6. Thinking Skills (6 types) 7. Working with Others 8. Computer Use 9. Continuous Learning

CLB and ES: Matching the Skills CLB Reading = ES Reading Text and ES Document Use CLB Writing = ES Writing and ES Document Use CLB Speaking = ES Oral Communication CLB Listening = ES Oral Communication

Resources for CLB and Essential Skills 1. The Comparative Framework (2005) Illustrates what CLB levels are required to be able to demonstrate Essential Skills

CLB & ES Comparative Framework Overview (2005) ES Oral Communication1234 CLB Speaking CLB Listening ES Reading12345 CLB Reading ES Writing12345 CLB Writing ES Document Use12345 CLB Reading & Writing ES Oral Communication1234 CLB Speaking CLB Listening

Comparative Framework Online Can be used to: See how the CLB and ES levels correlate Place CLB descriptors in a workplace context

Lesson Plans 10 lessons (1.5 – 3 hrs each) Range of lower-level CLB Transferable skills Essential Skills that correlate with CLB skills Materials are provided Available from (Feb./Mar. 09) Template _linklink

Examples Workplace Culture: In the Canadian workplace: Workers are expected to report problems that prevent them from doing their work. Reflective Evaluation: Circulate while learners are working to determine if learners: Are able to communicate that they are experiencing a problem; Are able to articulate the type of problem using appropriate phrases. Debriefing/Wrap up: Point out the three steps to reporting problems seen in class can be used in a variety of settings. Illustrate this by practicing the three steps in contexts provided by the learners.

Approaches to Incorporate ES Two starting points: 1. CLB tasks or language function 2. Essential Skills, workplace task or authentic document (available from the Comparative Framework, Essential Skills Profiles or workplace documents available online) Different starting point – similar result!

Approaches to Incorporate ES: Example CLB or Language Function Lesson Title Asking for Clarification: Understanding the Message Objectives (Transferable Skill) To assist learners in asking for clarification when they do not understand, whether due to lack of understanding the meaning or because they could not hear what was said To assist learners in politely interrupting when they need clarification In pairs… Provide activities that link this to the workplace (C.F. can help with this) Workplace culture? Debriefing activity (Emphasizes transferability from workplace to workplace)

Workplace Culture and Debriefing Lesson Title Asking for Clarification: Understanding the Message Workplace Culture - In Canada, employees are expected to ask for clarification when they don’t understand. Debriefing/Wrap-up - Discuss importance of information accuracy and safety. - Offer case studies, e.g., a worker who does not understand instruction about a meeting and ends up missing it. - Ask learners to brainstorm similar possible situations in their place of work. - For lower levels where discussion is less fluent, use pictures to illustrate a similar situation in a multitude of workplaces.

Approaches to Incorporate ES: Example Essential Skills, workplace tasks or authentic materials Lesson Title Reading WHMIS Information on Product Labels Objectives To understand what WHMIS is and to recognize and understand WHMIS symbols To understand what kind of information is available on a WHMIS label To learn where to find information on a workplace label In pairs… Provide activities that practice the language related skills required to demonstrate this task Workplace culture? Debriefing activity (Emphasizes the transferability from workplace to workplace)

Lesson Title Reading WHMIS Information on Product Labels Workplace Culture - In Canada, employees are expected to follow written instructions regarding safety. Debriefing/Wrap-up Workplace Culture and Debriefing - Show pictures/provide descriptions of a variety of jobs where learners are expected to understand symbols --for safety --for information - Discuss potential consequences if a symbol is misunderstood - Examine a variety of symbols in everyday Canadian life

The guidebook contains: Information on the relationship between CLB and ES Resources to support teachers in planning; Practical tips for incorporating Essential Skills Language for Work: CLB and Essential Skills for ESL Instructors

How can I get a copy? Guidebook and lesson plans are free Available March Thank You!