future directions in language training 37th tesl ontario conference panel discussion december 11,...
TRANSCRIPT
Future Directions in Language Training
37th TESL Ontario Conference Panel Discussion
December 11, 2009
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Outline
1. Immigrants in the recession
2. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) goals and priorities
3. Current language training system in Ontario
4. Redesigning MCI’s language training program
• Goal
• Implementation
• Objectives
5. Future vision of adult language training
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Immigrants in the recession
• Pre-recession immigrants experiencing labour market challenges.
• At the peak of the recession impact, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants had doubled and was twice that of Canadian-born.
• Labour market recovery seems to have begun, yet immigrants are still experiencing disproportionately high unemployment rates.
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Ministry of Citizenship and Immigrationgoals and priority areas
• Priority areas:
1. Attraction Initiatives and Pre-arrival Services
2. Coordinated Settlement Services
3. A Comprehensive Language Training System
4. Labour Market Integration
5. Community and Employer Engagement
• Goals:
Support the economic success of immigrants and the economic growth of the province
Contribute to the development of a multicultural, diverse society of fully participating citizens
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Current language training system in Ontario
Provincial Programs
• Adult Non-Credit ESL/FSL/CL (MCI)
• Specialized Language Training (MCI)
• Bridge Training (MCI)
• Adult Credit ESL (MEDU)
• English Language Learners – K to 12 (MEDU)
• Literacy and Basic Skills (MTCU)
Federal Programs
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
• Enhanced Language Training
• Occupation-specific Language Training
Delivering Agencies
• School boards (K-12 and Continuing Education)
• Community Organizations
• Colleges and Universities
• Private Institutions
• Independent Learning Centre (TVO)
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Navigating adult language training in Ontario
Where do I go?Where do I go?
How do I register?How do I register?
What is the right What is the right class for me?class for me?
LINC, ELT, OSLTLINC, ELT, OSLT
18 LINC18 LINCAssessmentAssessment
CentresCentres
I AM… I AM… Permanent Resident/Permanent Resident/Convention Refugee/ Convention Refugee/ Protected PersonProtected Person
I AM… I AM… Citizen/ Citizen/ Permanent Resident/Permanent Resident/Refugee Claimant/ Refugee Claimant/ Convention Refugee/ Convention Refugee/ Protected PersonProtected Person
Adult Non-CreditAdult Non-CreditAdult CreditAdult Credit
SLTSLTBridge TrainingBridge Training
In-class, In-class, Informal Informal
and Formal and Formal AssessmentAssessment
Language
Training
Classes
Post-secondary &Post-secondary &Private InstitutionsPrivate Institutions
Range of tests: Range of tests: TOEFL and TOEFL and
IELTSIELTS
I AM… I AM… Paying Paying StudentStudent
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Redesigning MCI’s language training program
Goal:
To ensure the provincial Adult Non-Credit English/French as a Second Language Training Program:
• is learner-focused and results-based;
• addresses the full spectrum of adult language training needs;
• aligns with provincial objectives for adult education; and
• is coordinated with federal language training programs.
Objectives:
1. Access to training
2. Program accountability and standards
3. Labour market language training
4. Coordination with the federal government
5. Funding and program design flexibility
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Implementation
• Will be phased in over 3 school years:
2009/10 School Year
Introduce program changes
2010/11 School Year
Continue implementation of program changes
2011/12 School Year
Complete implementation of program changes
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Objective 1:Access to training
Key initiatives / activities:
• Promoting language training
• Clarifying and expanding the eligibility criteria
• Facilitating learner transitions
• Ensuring there are no service gaps
www.ontarioimmigration.ca/adultlanguagetraining
Find a Language Class
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Objective 2: Program accountability and standards
Key initiatives / activities:
• Supporting professional development opportunities for instructors
• Aligning courses to the Canadian Language Benchmarks
• Introducing standardized curriculum guidelines
• Introducing a minimum instructor certification standard (considering TESL Ontario)
• Adopting the Average Enrolment Method as the single standard method to calculate Average Daily Enrolment and developing a reporting framework
• Establishing performance measures and an evaluation framework
• Introducing a Learner Feedback System
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A demographic profile of MCI learners
Characteristics of learners (mainly ESL) in the
provincial language training program as of Fall 2008:
• Female
• Post-secondary school graduate
• Between 30 and 44 years of age
• First language either Spanish or Chinese
• Born in China or Colombia
• Lived in Canada for 3 years or less
• Either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
• Worked in a “white collar” job in their country of origin
• Not currently working
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Objective 3: Labour market language training
Key initiatives / activities:
• Continuing to support the Specialized Language Training Pilot Projects initiative
• Facilitating access to curriculum resources
• Supporting partnerships between school boards and employers
• Encouraging innovation
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Objective 4: Coordination with the federal government
Key initiatives / activities:
• Improving coordination with federal programs
• Coordinated language assessment and referral system
• Guidelines for the coordination of federal and provincial classes
• Developing provincial standards for learner promotion and transition
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Objective 5: Funding and program design flexibility
Key initiatives / activities:
• Increasing funding level in 2009/10
• Providing one-time funding grants to support Redesign activities
• Entering into multi-year agreements
• Exploring the development of specialized program criteria
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Future vision for adult language training system in Ontario
I am an adult who wants to learn English or French as a Second Language.
Where am I
going next?
• Post-secondary• Accreditation• Work• Other
LanguageTrainingClasses
• Adult Non-Credit • Specialized
Language Training• Bridge Training• LINC• ELT• OSLT
CoordinatedLanguage Training
System
Coordinated LanguageAssessment and Referral System