Environmental Immigrant Bridging Program Curriculum

Module - Duration

EIB 1 – Professional Verbal Communication – 22.5 hours

EIB 2 – Professional Written Communication – 13.5 hours

EIB 3 – Technical Writing – 10.5 hours

EIB 4 – The Canadian Professional and Cultural Context – 30 hours

EIB 5 – The Canadian Environmental Context – 52.5 hours

EIB 6 – Critical Thinking and Judgment– 6 hours

EIB 7 – Leading and Influencing Others – 10.5 hours

EIB 8 – Learning and Creativity – 4.5 hours

EIB 9 – Planning and Organizing Projects – 7.5 hours

EIB 10 – Work Ethics – 7.5 hours

EIB 11 – Computer Proficiency – 3 hours

EIB 12 – Building Your Career – 12 hours

Total Duration – 180 Hours

MODULE 1 / Code / Delivery Mode / Duration
Professional Verbal Communication / EIB-1 / Classwork / 22.5 hours
PREREQUISITE: / None
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: / · Excellent verbal communication skills
· Strong understanding of the English language
· A solid knowledge of communication patterns and strategies
OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of this module is to provide the students with a solid grounding in verbal communication strategies in a variety of professional contexts.
Students completing this module will understand:
1. Language and techniques for socializing and networking in a professional situation;
2. Culturally appropriate appearance, behaviour, and conversation topics in professional social situations;
3. Techniques for communicating clearly, confidently and directly in professional situations;
4. The concept of plain language and the appropriate use of acronyms, jargon and slang;
5. Techniques for asking questions, including open and closed questions;
6. Culturally appropriate questions for different social situations;
7. Techniques for active listening;
8. Language for asking for clarification;
9. Language and techniques for offering opinion;
10. Language and techniques for agreeing;
11. Language and techniques for disagreeing;
12. The difference between assertive and aggressive;
13. Techniques for turn-taking and interrupting;
14. The etiquette for communicating professionally on the telephone;
15. Phraseology for communicating on the telephone;
16. The different aspects of non-verbal communication;
17. How to interpret non-verbal communication appropriately;
18. How to use appropriate non-verbal communication for the Canadian work context;
19. The structure of a formal professional presentation;
20. Phraseology for each stage of a presentation;
21. Techniques for presenting effectively ;
22. Guidelines for the use of PowerPoint and other presentation tools;
23. The structure of a formal interview;
24. Typical interview questions;
25. Phraseology for an interview;
26. Legal and illegal interview questions;
27. Culturally appropriate interview behaviour;
28. Different types of interviews (technical/behavioural, one-on-one/panel, telephone/video/Skype);
29. Interview and job preparation services offered by local immigrant services provider
Students completing this module will be able to:
1. Effectively socialize in a professional context;
2. Communicate orally in a professional manner;
3. Speak in plain language;
4. Appropriately and correctly ask questions;
5. Listen actively;
6. Request clarification;
7. Offer opinions, agree and disagree in a culturally appropriate way;
8. Use culturally and linguistically appropriate turn-taking and interrupting techniques;
9. Communicate effectively and professionally on the telephone;
10. Use non-verbal communication appropriately in a professional context;
11. Create a well-structured professional presentation;
12. Clearly and confidently deliver a professional presentation;
13. Effectively use PowerPoint and other presentation tools;
14. Prepare themselves for a job interview.
15. Apply what they have learned in the module to case studies.
MAIN TOPICS:
1. Socializing and Networking Skills
2. Professional Communication
3. Questioning and Listening in a Professional Context
4. Offering Opinion, Agreeing and Disagreeing in a Professional Context
5. Taking Turns and Interrupting in a Professional Context
6. Telephone Communication Skills in a Professional Context
7. Non-Verbal Communication in a Professional Context
8. Presentation Skills
9. Interview Skills
LEARNING MATERIALS:
Student Worksheets
EQUIPMENT:
Laptop computer, Data projector, Screen, Flip chart paper, Markers, Headphones and Web cam
INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH: (General approach and details of instruction including, suggested methods for specific topics and skills, timeframes, use and application of learning materials, and suggested evaluation methods)
A highly interactive instructional approach will be used. The class will brainstorm the language, techniques and behaviours for each type of communication. Additional information will be provided by the instructor and included on lesson handouts. Students will take part in role plays that are relevant to the environmental sector professional context. Interaction patterns will include whole class discussions and debates, small group discussions, pair work and individual work.
Outline:
1.1 Socializing and Networking Skills 1.5 hours
1.2 Professional Communication 1.5 hours
1.3 Conversation Management Skills 1.5 hours
1.4 Offering Opinion, Agreeing and Disagreeing 1.5 hours
1.5 Telephone Communication Skills 1.5 hours
1.6 Non-Verbal Communication 1.5 hours
1.7 Presentation Skills 6.0 hours
1.8 Interview Skills 4.5 hours
1.9 Professional Verbal Communication Case Studies 3.0 hours
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attend at least 90% of classroom instructional time.
2. Participate 100% in class activities.
3. Competence in at least 75% of the objectives related to the module.
MODULE 2 / Code / Delivery Mode / Duration
Professional Written Communication / EIB-2 / Classwork / 13.5 hours
PREREQUISITE: / Module 1
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: / · Excellent written communication skills
· Strong understanding of the English language
· A solid knowledge of written communication formats, patterns and strategies
OBJECTIVES:
The main objective of this module is to provide the students with a solid grounding in professional written communication strategies for key written formats including reports, letters and e-mails.
Students completing this module will understand:
1. The importance of understanding your audience;
2. The importance of plain language in written communication;
3. The differences between formal and informal writing styles;
4. Phraseology for formal writing;
5. How to correctly use acronyms;
6. What plagiarism is and how to reference someone else’s work;
7. The correct format for memos, letters and short reports;
8. The format for professional e-mails;
9. The etiquette for the use of e-mail, blogs, Facebook and Twitter in a professional context;
10. The legal implications of electronic communication use;
11. The importance of proofreading and editing their own work;
12. Proofreading for purpose and audience;
13. Key grammatical edits to look for;
14. Key punctuation edits to look for.
Students completing this module will be able to:
1. Write according to who their audience is;
2. Use correct phraseology in formal writing;
3. Write in plain language;
4. Correctly use acronyms;
5. Correctly reference someone else’s work;
6. Correctly format memos, letters and short reports;
7. Use electronic communication appropriately in a professional context;
8. Proofread and edit their own written work.
9. Apply what they have learned in the module to case studies.
MAIN TOPICS:
1. A Professional Writing Style
2. Formatting Written Communication
3. Electronic Communication
4. Proofreading and Editing Your Written Communication
LEARNING MATERIALS:
Student Worksheets
EQUIPMENT:
Laptop computer, Data projector, Screen, Flip chart paper, Markers, Post-it notes
INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH: (General approach and details of instruction including, suggested methods for specific topics and skills, timeframes, use and application of learning materials, and suggested evaluation methods)
A highly interactive instructional approach will be used to enable students to fill in the gaps in their knowledge of professional written communication. The class will brainstorm the rules that govern professional written communication including formatting, formality and phraseology. Additional information will be provided by the instructor and included on lesson handouts. Students will take part in discussions on the etiquette and legalities of electronic written communication. Students will work in pairs and groups to practice proofreading techniques.
Outline:
2.1 A Professional Writing Style 1.5 hours
2.2 Formatting Written Communication 3.0 hours
2.3 Electronic Communication 1.5 hours
2.4 Writing a Cover Letter and Resume 6.0 hours
2.5 Proofreading and Editing Your Written Communication 1.5 hours
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attend at least 90% of classroom instructional time.
2. Participate 100% in class activities.
3. Competence in at least 75% of the objectives related to the module.
MODULE 3 / Code / Delivery Mode / Duration
Technical Writing / EIB-3 / Classwork / 10.5 hours
PREREQUISITE: / Module 2
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: / · Excellent written communication skills
· Strong understanding of the English language
· A solid knowledge of technical writing, including writing style, document types and document formats.
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this module is to provide students with the skills to write technical documents accurately, clearly, concisely and directly.
Students completing this module will understand:
1. Various audience types and factors that influence how the audience is interpreting technical writing;
2. How to use technical controls to adapt their writing to their audience;
3. How to focus their technical writing topic;
4. Outlining and note taking techniques for technical writing;
5. Drafting and revising techniques for technical writing in independent, peer review and team writing contexts;
6. Common spelling, grammar and usage errors in technical writing;
7. How to put numbers into their technical writing;
8. The purpose and components of proposals;
9. Different types of proposals;
10. The objectives, functions and organizational patterns of progress reports;
11. The components of environmental assessment (EA) documents;
12. Where to find additional information about different types of environmental assessments required in Canada;
13. How to read and interpret real environmental assessments.
Students completing this module will be able to:
1. Complete technical writing that is appropriate for different audiences both technical and non-technical
2. Complete outlining and note taking for technical writing;
3. Apply these drafting and revising techniques to their own technical writing;
4. Use correct spelling, grammar and usage in their technical writing;
5. Edit their technical writing for spelling, grammar and punctuation;
6. Write effective proposals and progress reports;
7. Participate effectively in the process of writing an environmental assessment
8. Analyze and understand real environmental assessments.
MAIN TOPICS:
1. Characteristics of technical writing
2. Formatting your technical documents
3. Drafting and editing your technical documents
4. The types of technical writing
5. Understanding environmental assessments
LEARNING MATERIALS:
Student Worksheets
EQUIPMENT:
Laptop computer, Data projector, Screen, Flip chart paper, Markers, Post-it notes
INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH: (General approach and details of instruction including, suggested methods for specific topics and skills, timeframes, use and application of learning materials, and suggested evaluation methods)
Students will discuss how technical writing differs from other types of professional and business writing. They will complete activities that allow them to understand these key differences. Students will learn the different types of technical documents that need to be written in the environmental sector. Students will then learn and practice different technical writing skills including adapting for audience, narrowing the topic, drafting and editing.
Outline:
3.1 Adapting to Your Technical Audience 1.5 hours
3.2 Note Taking Skills for Technical Writing 1.5 hours
3.3 Drafting and Revising for Technical Writing 1.5 hours
3.4 Language Errors in Technical Writing 1.5 hours
3.5 Completing Proposals and Progress Reports 1.5 hours
3.6 Completing Environmental Assessments 1.5 hours
3.7 Analyzing Environmental Assessments 1.5 hours
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attend at least 90% of classroom instructional time.
2. Participate 100% in class activities.
3. Competence in at least 75% of the objectives related to the module.
MODULE 4 / Code / Delivery Mode / Duration
The Canadian Professional and Cultural Context / EIB-4 / Classwork / 30 hours
PREREQUISITE: / Module 3
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS: / · Knowledgeable about what culture is, the forces that shape it and how to analyze and understand it.
· Knowledgeable about Canadian history, geography, aboriginal history, economies, the Canadian legal system and human rights and workplace legislation
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this module is to provide students with the professional and cultural context that governs the workplace in the Canadian environmental sector. This includes forces that shape culture including history, geography, economics, and the legal system.
Students completing this module will understand:
1. What culture is;
2. What happens when individuals from different cultures interact;
3. Key Canadian cultural behaviours and values;
4. What happens personally as they interact with Canadian culture;
5. A basic outline of key events in Canadian history;
6. How Canadian historical events contributed to the development of Canadian culture;
7. A basic overview of Canadian geography;
8. How Canadian geography influences Canadian culture;
9. The role of the Aboriginal People in Canada’s history;
10. Current constitutional responsibilities to the Aboriginal People;
11. How the Aboriginal people have influenced current Canadian culture;
12. A basic overview of Canada’s economy;
13. A basic overview of the regional economy;
14. How the Canadian economy influences Canadian culture;
15. A basic overview of the different business structures permitted in Canada;
16. A basic overview of how Canada is governed;
17. A basic overview of Canadian political parties;
18. How responsibilities are divided between federal and provincial parliaments;
19. A basic outline of the different types of legislation in Canada;
20. A basic overview of how the courts work in Canada;
21. The history and contents of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
22. The history and contents of provincial Human Rights legislation;
23. How human rights legislation impacts the Canadian workplace and Canadian culture;
24. Federal and provincial ministries governing the Canadian workplace;
25. Employment standards legislation;
26. Labour relations legislation;
27. Workplace safety legislation, including field work safety;
28. The unique features of their region, including history, geography, economy, and how it is governed;
29. How these unique features influence the environmental sector
30. The regional legislation that governs local environmental workplaces.
Students completing this module will be able to:
1. Discuss Canadian behaviours and values accurately and in detail;
2. Discuss the personal tensions that arise as they interact with Canadian culture;