Detailed Sample Task: EAL Literacy

CLB 4L - Writing
Reproducing Information

Employment - At the Workplace

Real-World Task

Copy a list of suggestions for how French and English are both supported in the workplace.

Planning Context

Helpful Knowledge:

Vocabulary related to languages.
Reading compound and some complex sentences.
Reading connected text.

Context:

Canada has two official languages,  French and English.
Some workplaces, including the Federal Government, require support from managers for both official languages to be used by employees.

Vocabulary and Grammar

Sample Vocabulary:

Sample Grammar:

Modals to effectively convey recommendations.
Basic syntax, including word order.
Common everyday English spelling and punctuation rules and conventions.

Knowledge and Strategies

Textual and Functional Knowledge:

Connective words and phrases within and between sentences to indicate addition (such as also, and) and sequence (first, second, then).
Common text formats for specific purposes.
Beginning ability to use dictionaries and where relevant, spell checking functions of a word processing program.

Sociolinguistic Knowledge:

Canadian conventions related to official languages and bilingualism.

Activities and Tasks

Sample Skill-Building Activities:

Match visuals to words about language.
Discuss official languages in Canada and Canada as a multilingual country.
Review a list of simplified workplace instructions and underline the verbs in each statement.
From a short, simple instructor-made story on the topic, have learners listen as the instructor reads, following with their finger. Have learners repeat after the instructor to match intonation and fluency. Finally, have learners read the story as a group, and then individually.
Listen to some simple workplace instructions about official languages at work and match the missing word to a list of vocabulary words.
In small groups, talk about languages that are spoken by group members and discuss knowledge of Canada’s official languages.
Look at signs written in French and English and highlight all of the English instructions.
Copy a list of calendar appointments paying attention to accurate capitalization.

Sample Skill-Using Tasks:

Copy a list of workplace considerations on the equality of the usage of both official languages.

Sample Assessment Tasks:

Copy a list of suggestions for how French and English are both supported in the workplace. The task will be assessed using a rubric which assesses accuracy of spelling and punctuation, legible text, whether there are any omissions and accuracy of formatting.

Teaching Considerations

Cultural Considerations:

French and English are the two official languages of Canada. Some provinces have one official language, some have two official languages.
Francophone culture is a very important part of Canadian culture.
There are French-language resources, support and services for many things, including assistance with employment and accessing government services, across Canada.

Digital Literacy Strategies:

Successful completion of some tasks may require some baseline knowledge and digital skills.

Learners may need to:

Look at a website.
Read information from a screen.
Have keyboarding and typing skills.

Instructors can:

Introduce websites that are relevant to the task(s).
Show learners how to find a website.
Use digital tools such as translation or pronunciation tools to support language learning and foster autonomous learning.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization Strategies:

Instructors can:

Use diverse representations of people in all learning resources and images, including people who are 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Francophone and of other cultures, and people who have disabilities or who are neurodivergent.
Recognize that Canada is a country with two official languages which have legislated protections.
Recognize and teach learners that Canada is a diverse place and  has people from many different cultures. Canadian culture includes the cultures of all people in Canada.

Trauma-informed Strategies:

Possible Trauma Triggers:

Learners who have faced discrimination for being a minority group, in another country or in Canada, may find discussions of discrimination triggering.
Learners who have experienced trauma can be triggered by people in positions of authority; make sure learners understand their rights in the workplace and give strategies for making polite requests.

Strategies

Give learners advance warning of this topic and be aware that there may be learners who require support.
Allow learners choice:
- the choice to work on a different topic
- the choice to share or not share their own experiences
- the choice to work alone or to work with others
- the choice to take care of themselves
- the choice to step out of the learning environment
Learners have the right to choose if, when and what they share about themselves.
Giving learners the knowledge, skills and language to access resources can be empowering.

Resources

Outings, Guest Speaker Suggestions, Extension Activities:

Visit a Francophone cultural centre.
Visit a Francophone cultural event, such as dance or music.
Invite a speaker to the class who can talk about official languages at work.
Research French language classes available in the community.
Look at a map showing bilingualism by province in Canada.

Realia:

Workplace notices in French and English
Calendars in French and English
Visuals of signs from Government of Canada buildings in French and English

Units and Modules:

Tutela. Follow instructions and directions at work CLB 3/4

Lessons and Activities:

Multimedia:

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. What are the signs of a truly bilingual workplace?
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Canada is a bilingual country and our two languages are a part of our identity!
Canada’s History. Canada in Focus: Bilingual, But More

Resources:

Government of Canada: My Official Languages Booklet