Detailed Sample Task: Stage II
CLB 6 - Reading Interacting with Others
Collaboration and Teamwork
Real-World Task
Read an invitation from Human Resources about openings on BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace advisory committees.
Planning Context
Helpful Knowledge:
- Some knowledge of workplace culture and how co-workers communicate with each other.
- Awareness of what workplace committees and working groups are and the purposes they can serve.
- Some knowledge of what BIPOC, gender-equity and 2SLGBTQIA+ mean and the groups of people and identities these include.
Context:
- Many workplaces have workplace advisory committees or working groups. These committees are usually formed to give advice and lead initiatives on specific topics.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Sample Vocabulary:
- advise
- inclusion
- representative
- best practices
- goal
- address/ tackle
- bias
- discrimination
- strategy
- workshop
- build relationships
- apply for
Sample Grammar:
- Collocations and phrases related to being on a committee, for example, “interested in”, “be part of”, “take part in” and so on.
- Conditional sentences, for example, “If you are interested in this position, email…” or “If you would like more information about this opportunity, contact…”.
- Semi-formal invitation phrases for a workplace environment, for example, “We are looking for people who are interested in…” or “We would like to invite people from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to take part in…”.
Knowledge and Strategies
Textual and Functional Knowledge:
- Recognize a formal general workplace invitation.
- Recognize parts of a workplace email: the subject line, greeting, purpose statement, links and so on.
- Ability to use critical thinking skills to interpret who a general invitation email is aimed at and addressing.
Sociolinguistic Knowledge:
- Recognize formal workplace language and formats.
- Some knowledge of equity-deserving groups in Canada and the workplace rights and protections they have.
Activities and Tasks
Sample Skill-Building Activities:
- Look at the word “advise” and review what it means.
- In groups, brainstorm ideas about what a workplace advisory committee does.
- Read an explanation of what a workplace advisory committee does and compare to predictions.
- Read or listen to explanations of workplace discrimination and or biases.
- Predict some barriers that BIPOC people, women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people might face in the workplace.
- Read or listen to explanations of some barriers that BIPOC people, women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people might face in the workplace and compare to your predictions.
- Read or listen to explanations of some barriers that BIPOC people, women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people might face in the workplace and discuss some possible solutions with your classmates, such as EDI training, more diverse management, childcare, flexible working hours and so on.
- Read explanations of the roles of BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace advisory committees and answer comprehension questions.
- In groups, discuss what you already know about workplace emails, such as formality, use of subject lines, appropriate workplace language and so on.
- Look at an example of a workplace email from Human Resources and identify examples of formal language.
- Learn strategies for understanding vocabulary in context and complete a vocabulary exercise using example workplace emails.
- Learn examples of formal invitation phrases in a workplace context.
- Read examples of workplace emails and identify what the invitation is for in each case.
- Learn examples of conditional sentences and that they are often used to give instructions for how to apply. Read examples of workplace emails and identify how to apply and in which situation.
Sample Skill-Using Tasks:
- Read an invitation from your organization about an opening on a 2SLGBTQIA+ working group; identify the purpose of the email, details about expected work, and how and when to apply.
- Read an invitation from Human Resources about an opening on a BIPOC workplace advisory committee. Identify the purpose of the email, the formality and relationship between sender and recipients, details about the work done on the committee, how to apply and deadlines.
Sample Assessment Tasks:
- Read an invitation from Human Resources about openings on BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace advisory committees.
Teaching Considerations
Cultural Considerations:
- Ensure learners know that workplace advisory committees and similar bodies only exist in some more formal/ professional workplaces, but that race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and so on are all protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act and in all workplaces.
- Have learners compare and contrast EDI workplace policies and processes from their own countries and Canada to develop intercultural awareness.
Digital Literacy Strategies:
Successful completion of some tasks may require some baseline knowledge and digital skills.
Learners may need to:
- Understand and use email etiquette.
- Have an email address and be able to navigate email proficiently.
Instructors can:
- Introduce websites that are relevant to the task(s).
- Refer learners to programs to improve their digital skills.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization Strategies:
Instructors can:
- Use diverse representations of people in all your 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 some learners may experience changes to gender roles when they come to Canada. For some, this may be a welcome change, but for others it may be challenging. Address their concerns with sensitivity but teach that Canada is equitable and inclusive to people of all genders.
- Recognize that some learners may have different views. You can be sensitive to their differing opinions, but all learners benefit from EDI, and all learners have the right to an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
- Teach that race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disability are all protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Trauma-informed Strategies:
Possible Trauma Triggers:
- Learners may have experienced discrimination, racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny or gender-based violence. Discussions of EDI may be triggering: be aware that there may be learners who need help, but it may also provide some comfort and support.
Strategies:
- Make space for learners to feel safe and recover from the experience of sharing their experiences.
- Giving learners the knowledge, skills and language to access resources can be empowering.
Resources
Outings, Guest Speaker Suggestions, Extension Activities:
- Invite someone in HR at your organization or another organization to discuss workplace advisory committees or other strategies to address workplace discrimination and bias.
- Invite guest speakers from BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ community or advocacy organizations to speak to your class on EDI in the workplace.
- Create an agenda for a BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace advisory committee meeting.
- Role-play a discussion in a BIPOC, gender-equity or 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace advisory committee meeting.
Realia:
- Workplace policies and strategies that address workplace discrimination and bias
- Recorded workplace advisory committee meetings on YouTube
Units and Modules:
(Adapt for the CLB level you teach).
- Avenue Course Builder: Select the theme Workplace Communication – General and Employment, and CLB 5, for units related to listening to instructions or communicating at work.
- CLB 5+ Workplace Laws and Policies
- CLB 5 + Workplace Culture
- TIES, Diplomatic Communication at Work
Lessons and Activities
(Adapt for the CLB level you teach).
Multimedia:
Instructor Resources and References:
- Framework – Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks
- Skill components and proficiency levels – Canada.ca
- UP Skills for Work Get Started: Collaboration
- Free Employee Training Resources l UP Skills for Work
- Skills for Success: Collaboration – alis (alberta.ca)
- Employment Archives – New Canadians
- Skilled Worker
- Ten tips to manage your career transition as a newcomer to Canada | Canadian Immigrant
Detailed Sample Task
This exemplar is aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and is designed to guide and inform your lesson and module planning. Consult the Canadian Language Benchmarks English as a Second Language for Adults for detailed performance descriptors at this benchmark and skill.
The information in this document is not exhaustive and can be expanded on. As well, you can use more learner-friendly language in your materials and assessments.
This is NOT a lesson or module plan.
