Stage I:
Employment –
At the Workplace
This theme focuses on the communication skills and workplace cultural knowledge required to be successful at a job.
Choose a CLB level by clicking below to access information about Real-World Tasks and Detailed Sample Tasks for this theme.
Listening
CLB 1
Listen to a coworker confirm the day, time and location of a one-on-one meeting.
Comprehending Information.
- Identifies a few obvious factual details, such as numbers, letters, times and dates.
- Identifies a few key words and short expressions related to immediate needs.
Listen to a coworker ask for help with a task to find out the task.
Getting Things Done
Understand expressions used to attract attention and to request assistance in situations of immediate personal need.
- Identifies a few common key words and formulaic expressions (Help! Watch out!)
- Indicates comprehension with appropriate verbal or non-verbal responses.
CLB 2
Listen to a supervisor tell you the day, time and what to bring to a team meeting.
Comprehending Information
Understand simple information about familiar, concrete topics.
- Identifies specific factual details, such as numbers, letters, time, place, key words and expressions.
- Identifies words related to personal identification information.
Listen to a coworker’s apology for being late to take over a shift to find out the reason they were late.
Getting Things Done
Understand expressions used to make and respond to requests and warnings in situations of immediate personal need.
- Recognizes apologies.
- Responds appropriately with physical or verbal responses.
CLB 3
Listen to an announcement about an upcoming meeting to find out the topics that will be covered in meething.
Comprehending Information
Understand short, simple, descriptive communication about a person, object, situation, scene, personal experience or daily routine.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, key words and expressions as required.
Listen to a coworker’s request to switch shifts so they can celebrate a cultural holiday with family like Eid, Nowruz, Lunar New Year and so on to find out the date and time of the shift.
Getting Things Done
Understand expressions used in familiar everyday situations (such as requests, permission and warnings).
- Identifies phrases and sentences related to simple persuasive functions.
- Understands the gist and an expanding range of factual details.
CLB 4
Listen to a supervisor summarize the key points from a meeting that you missed.
Comprehending Information
Understand short descriptive or narrative communication on topics of personal relevance.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies factual details, some implied meanings, key words and expressions.
Listen to a coworker’s request to modify a specific task to accommodate their disability to find out what accommodations they need.
Getting Things Done
Understand short communication intended to influence or persuade others in familiar, everyday situations.
- Identifies purpose, main ideas, factual details and some implied meanings in simple announcements, commercials or infomercials.
- Understands an expanded range of factual details and some implied meanings.
Speaking
CLB 1
Give 2-5 word instructions to your sick coworker on how to ask for a day off like Call the supervisor and Say you’re sick.
Giving Instructions
Give brief, simple, common, routine instructions to a familiar person.
- Uses imperative forms and memorized stock expressions.
- Uses appropriate courtesy words (such as please, thank you).
Introduce yourself to a new coworker.
Interacting with Others
Use and respond to basic courtesy formulas and greetings. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Responds appropriately to common greetings, introductions, and leave-takings.
- Uses appropriate basic courtesy formulas.
CLB 2
Give short simple instructions to your sick coworker on how to switch shifts with another employee.
Giving Instructions
Give short, simple, common, routine instructions to a familiar person.
- Uses imperative forms, memorized stock expressions, and appropriate courtesy words (such as please).
- Gives both positive and negative commands.
Respond appropriately when a coworker tells you to have a good weekend.
Interacting with Others
Use and respond to courtesy formulas and greetings. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Initiates and responds appropriately to introductions and leave-takings using appropriate courtesy formulas.
- Indicates communication problems verbally, if needed.
Ask your coworker where the washrooms are in your workplace. Identify if they are gender neutral.
Getting Things Done
Make and respond to simple requests related to common everyday activities.
- Uses appropriate memorized expressions, simple sentences, and courtesy formulas for requests.
CLB 3
Give 2 to 3 simple instructions to your coworker on how to request time off for a religious or cultural celebration.
Giving Instructions
Give simple, common, routine instructions and directions to a familiar person.
- Uses appropriate courtesy forms and structures.
- Expresses movement and location.
Introduce yourself to new coworkers and ask them a few, simple questions to get to know them.
Interacting with Others
Use a range of courtesy formulas and greetings in very short, casual, face-to-face interactions. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Initiates and responds appropriately to introductions and leave-takings.
- Uses simple questions to ask about another person.
CLB 4
Give 4 to 5 instructions to your coworker on how to request a short term leave for mental health reasons.
Giving Instructions
Give a set of simple, common, routine instructions and directions to a familiar person.
- Uses appropriate courtesy forms and structures.
- Expresses movement and location.
Greet a coworker and ask about their weekend. Extend the conversation by asking follow-up questions.
Interacting with Others
Use a range of courtesy formulas and some casual small talk in short, one-on-one or small group interactions. [Interlocutors are familiar and supportive.]
- Uses non-verbal communication (such as eye contact and nodding) to show interest and encourage conversation.
- Uses a range of small talk phrases and expressions.
Ask a coworker to switch shifts so you can celebrate a cultural holiday.
Getting Things Done
Make and respond to a range of requests and offers (such as getting assistance, and asking for, offering, accepting or rejecting goods and services).
- Asks questions and makes requests and suggestions politely and appropriately.
- Use modals with some accuracy.
Reading
CLB 1
Read and follow a single-step workplace instruction with visuals like Wash your hands or Wear a hair net.
Comprehending Instructions.
Understand very short, simple instructions for common, familiar everyday situations.
- Recognizes individual words (simple imperative verbs and common nouns).
- Follows instruction by responding with action.
Find personal information (name, address) and total amount paid on a pay stub.
Getting Things Done
Get information from very short, simple, common formatted texts.
- Identifies numbers (amounts, dates) and familiar words (names, addresses, city names).
- Finds total amount and dates.
Read 2 or 3 words related to supporting mothers at work like family sick days and daycare.
Comprehending Information
Recognize names, numbers and some basic details in very simple, short texts related to everyday situations and immediate needs.
- Identifies numbers, letters, a few key words and short expressions.
CLB 2
Read and follow up to 4 simple instructions with visuals to make a pot of coffee.
Comprehending Instructions
Understand short, simple, clearly sequenced instructions for common, familiar everyday situations.
- Recognizes individual words, phrases and symbols commonly used in simple instructions.
- Follows instructions in the proper sequence.
Find the pay period, total hours and gross and net income on a pay stub.
Getting Things Done
Get information from simple formatted texts.
- Recognizes layout.
- Scans text to find specific details.
Read 2 or 3 simple sentences about maternity leave in the workplace.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose and some basic details in very simple, short texts related to everyday, familiar, personally relevant situations and topics.
- Identifies purpose.
- Identifies numbers, a few key words and short, common expressions.
CLB 3
Read and follow up to 5 instructions to set the security system when you leave.
Comprehending Instructions
Understand short, simple, clearly sequenced instructions for familiar everyday situations.
- Recognizes individual words, phrases and symbols commonly used in instructions.
- Follows instructions in the sequenced order.
Find deductions and benefits information on a pay stub.
Getting Things Done
Get information from simple formatted texts.
- Identifies layout and specific information.
- Scans formatted text to find specific information.
Read 5-7 sentences about gender equality in the workplace.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose, main idea, key information and some details in simple, short texts related to everyday familiar and personally relevant situations and topics.
- Gets the gist.
- Identifies key information and main idea.
CLB 4
Read and follow up to 6 instructions to report a workplace incident.
Comprehending Instructions
Understand short, simple, clearly sequenced instructions and instructional texts for familiar everyday situations.
- Identifies sequence and location signals (such as first, next and before).
- Recognizes common sentence patterns, phrases and symbols commonly used in instructions.
Compare information from a previous and current pay statement.
Getting Things Done
Get information from simple formatted texts.
- Identifies layout and specific information.
- Identifies type and purpose.
Read a short simple paragraph about how companies can encourage more mothers to come back to the workforce.
Comprehending Information
Understand the purpose, main idea, key information and specific details in simple, short texts related to everyday familiar and personally relevant situations and topics.
- Gets the overall meaning.
- Finds key information and specific details.
Writing
CLB 1
Complete a reply to accept a coworker’s invitation to a cultural celebration in their home.
Interacting With Others
Convey greetings or other goodwill messages by completing cards or other very short, simple standard texts.
- Completes a standard greeting card or message with simple and minimum information.
- Completes a message with an appropriate salutation (such as hi, hello, dear, to) and closing (such as from, regards, love).
Fill out up to 5 personal identification items on a change of address form for Human Resources.
Getting Things Done
Complete very short, simple or simplified forms that require only basic personal identification information.
- Writes basic personal information in appropriate sections.
- Follows some conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
CLB 2
Complete a short reply to decline a coworker’s invitation to a workplace event.
Interacting With Others
Convey an expanding range of goodwill messages (such as thanks, apologies, congratulations, get well wishes, goodbyes, and sympathy) by means of standard cards or guided notes.
- Completes a standard greeting card or message with simple information.
- Uses adequate spelling and punctuation.
Fill out up to 10 items on an emergency contact form for Human Resources.
Getting Things Done
Complete short, simple or simplified forms that require only basic personal identification or familiar information.
- Follows some conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows some basic spelling conventions.
CLB 3
Write a reply to a coworker’s invitation to a workplace event for International Women’s Day and inform them you will arrive late.
Interacting With Others
Convey short, personal and informal social messages on topics related to familiar everyday situations (such as invitations, thanks, updates, cancellations and apologies).
- Uses language and content that are appropriate to the intent of the message and the social context.
- Describes some feelings appropriate to the occasion.
Fill out 12 to 15 items on a timesheet to record your hours for the week. Include the tasks and responsibilities that were completed.
Getting Things Done
Complete short, simple forms that require basic personal or familiar information and some responses to simple questions.
- Follows appropriate conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows most spelling conventions.
Copy 5-6 sentences about a workplace sexual harassment policy.
Reproducing Information
Copy or record a range of information from short texts for personal use.
- Copies or records letters, numbers, words, and sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation.
- Copies legibly, causing only slight uncertainty in decoding for the writer.
- Copies text with no major omissions and only occasional copying mistakes.
CLB 4
Write a reply to a colleague’s invitation to a workplace anti-racism awareness event and ask how you can contribute.
Interacting With Others
Convey short, personal, informal social messages on topics related to familiar everyday situations (such as invitations, thanks, updates, cancellations and apologies).
- Conveys the message so that a reader can follow it.
- Conveys main ideas and supports them with some detail in a basic paragraph structure.
Fill out 15 to 20 items on a form to request a wheelchair accessible workstation.
Getting Things Done
Complete simple forms that require basic personal or familiar information and some responses to simple questions.
- Follows appropriate conventions for addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
- Follows most spelling conventions.
Create a promotional poster about a BIPOC or Queer lunch that’s offered at your workplaces regularly. Give details like the day, time, location and what topics will be discussed.
Getting Things Done
Write simple business or service messages.
- Conveys main ideas and supports them with some detail in a basic paragraph.
- Uses language and content that are appropriate to the purpose, intent, and social context.
Sample Real World Tasks
This information is aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and is designed to help guide you in the planning process. You can use these sample real-world tasks to guide and inform your selection or creation of skill-building activities, skill-using tasks and assessment tasks
These sample real-world tasks include the following: skill, real-world task, competency area, one competency statement and two sample indicators of ability. This is not an exhaustive list: there are more indicators of ability and information about this CLB level in Canadian Language Benchmarks English as a Second Language for Adults. Consult this resource for more information and to select your own competencies or indicators of ability. Remember, you can use more learner-friendly language in your materials and assessments.
This is NOT a lesson plan, module plan or curriculum.
