the global welcome centre

englISh For SPecIFIc PUrPoSeS

THE GLOBAL WELCOME CENTRE

gwc

We are committed to helping newcomers adjust to university life and achieve

success in Canada by offering a comprehensive approach and encouraging

their academic success.

UWinnipeg continues to reach out to children and adults in our surrounding

neighbourhood to break down barriers to post-secondary education and tackle

the graduation gap. UWinnipeg offers a number of innovative programs and

pathways for higher education through our Community Learning Initiatives

including the Opportunity Fund, which awarded over 800 bursaries to students

last year, allowing greater access to education.

We want to assist you in minimizing barriers to post-secondary education and

both The Global Welcome Centre for Immigrants and Refugees and the English

for Specific Purposes program will help you achieve this goal. We believe

that everyone, regardless of background and socio-economic status, should

have access to higher education.

Welcome to your University.

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy

President and Vice-Chancellor

Welcome to The University of Winnipeg

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The Global Welcome Centre

(The GWC) opened it’s doors in 2007

and is a non-profit organization that

offers programs and services related

to language, education, and culture

that help immigrants and refugees

access and succeed in post-secondary.

If you have dreams of completing

your post-secondary education

we are here to help you.

• high school students

• in adult education, training and language training programs

• in college or university

• members of the local community

• professionals in training

• Internationally Educated Professionals

we worK wIth ImmIgrantS anD reFUgeeS who are:

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

offers a learner-centered approach

to teaching English as an Additional

Language, which focuses on

developing English communication

skills for professional or academic

purposes. Learners are also

exposed to Canadian business

or academic culture.

If you are interested in employment

or academic related language

training, then our program may

be the perfect fit for you.

greetIngS From the global welcome centre anD englISh For SPecIFIc PUrPoSeS.

2 THE GWC

ResoURce cenTRe & compUTeR LoUnge • Computers with public internet access

• Clean, safe, quiet place to study

• Access to language and education resources

• Information about newcomer settlement, orientation, and employment providers

• Friendly staff and volunteers

AcADemIc pLAnnIng • English as an Additional Language

• Research and select programs

• Guidance with language and academic requirements

• Clarify your academic and career goals

• Call 204.258.2929 for an appointment

TUToR AnD menToR pRogRAm • Help with high school, language, or post-secondary courses

• One-on-one academic and language tutors and mentors

• Meet each week at a time that works for you

TypIng cLAss • Teaches typing skills needed for success in post-secondary

• Located in the resource lounge computer lab

• Class is once a week

• Volunteers help you work at a speed that is best for you

Programs and Services at The GWC

THE GWC 3

compUTeR cLAsses • Teaches the basic computer skills needed in post-secondary

• Classes are once a week for eight weeks

• You will learn Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Classes are held at The University of Winnipeg

• Admission requires a Canadian Language Benchmark of 6

BRIDge-To-UnIveRsITy WoRkshops • Teaches newcomers about post-secondary education

in Canada

• Highlights the language terminology used in post-secondary education and academic planning

• Addresses specific barriers faced by English as an Additional Language learners and newcomers

• Classes are held at The University of Winnipeg

• Workshops are a minimum of an hour long

• Easily facilitated at high schools, adult education centres, or support service programs

• Call 204.258.2929 to book a B-T-U workshop

AcADemIc LAngUAge coURses foR posT-seconDARy • For immigrant and refugee students who wish to attend

post-secondary and for whom English is not their first language

• Taking courses offered in partnership with the English for Specific Purposes Program at The University of Winnipeg will build on what you already know, and prepare you for the demands of a university or college classroom environment

4 ESP

UnIveRsITy pRepARATIon pRogRAm • UPREP focuses on academic skills in the areas of writing, speaking

and listening, and prepares students for post-secondary education

• This program will introduce you to basic university policies and terminology, and academic communication and study skills

• This program consists of two, six month courses; Academic Writing and Academic Speaking and Learning

• Students who complete Academic Writing with a minimum grade of C+ meet the language requirement for degree studies at The University of Winnipeg. They will also get 3 unallocated credit hours to use towards a degree at The University of Winnipeg

• This part-time program requires you to have a Canadian Language Benchmark of 7 or higher

engLIsh foR InTeRnATIonALLy eDUcATeD pRofessIonALs • ESP offers professional language and communication skills courses

for internationally educated accountants, agrologists, IT professionals, engineers, teachers and business professionals

• This part-time program requires you to have a Canadian Language Benchmark of 7 or higher

foUnDATIons foR engLIsh foR specIfIc pURposes • This course includes vocabulary and spelling development, and speaking

and listening strategies required for academic and/or day-to-day work settings • Students who complete Foundations for ESP with a minimum of 80% will

be eligible for other ESP courses at UW • This part-time program requires you to have a Canadian Language

Benchmark level of 5 or 6

englISh For SPecIFIc PUrPoSeS

ESP 5

Funded Programs and Servicesprograms and services offered by The global Welcome center

and english for specific purposes are fULLy fUnDeD, and offered

at no cosT to immigrants and refugees living in manitoba with

any of the following:

• Permanent Resident Status

• Canadian Citizenship

• Refugee Claimant Status (proof of claim filed with the Immigrant Refugee Board)

• Provincial Nominee Status (Letter of Approval from the Province)

The Global Welcome Centre and The English for Specific Purposes program are funded by:

6 THE GWC & ESP

things to consider when attending University

Education is an investment for your future. Before you enter

university, you need to do some research.

• Meet with an Academic Advisor to help you find out which program or post-secondary institution is best for you. Call 204.258.2929 for an academic planning appointment at The GWC

• Find out how much it will cost for tuition and living expenses

• Determine what skills you will need for a successful experience

• Find out if you meet the language requirements

• All Canadian universities and colleges have entry requirements

• Most universities require that students have a high school diploma with an average of 60%

• To determine if you meet the requirements, meet with an Academic Advisor at your chosen post-secondary institution

Learning the English language can be a big challenge for

newcomers to Canada. It is important to know your Canadian

Language Benchmark (CLB) level if you want to attend government

sponsored English programs, such as English for Specific Purposes

at The University of Winnipeg.

InfoRmATIon ABoUT The cLB AssessmenT • If you have been in Canada for more than three months, you are

required to contact The Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC). Your writing, reading, speaking and listening skills will be evaluated and given a score of 1 to 8

• The WELARC assessor will refer you to an English program that will meet your needs

• This assessment is free of charge to all immigrants and refugees

• You can have one free assessment each year

• Call 204.943.5387 or visit 400-275 Portage Avenue to make an assessment appointment

canadian language benchmarks

schoLARshIps AnD BURsARIes • Scholarships and bursaries are both money that

you do not pay back

• A scholarship is awarded based on academic performance

• A bursary is awarded based on financial need

• Each post-secondary institution will have grants and scholarships available for their students to apply for. For example, every year The University of Winnipeg publishes a handbook with all the awards, scholarships and bursaries. This handbook can be found at the Awards and Financial Aid Office

The oppoRTUnITy fUnD AT The UnIveRsITy of WInnIpeg • Awarded to students who show academic

promise and financial need

• Immigrants and refugees are encouraged to apply for the Opportunity Fund

• For more information, call The UW’s Awards and Financial Aid Office at 204.786.1420 or The GWC at 204.258.2946

cAnADA sTUDenT LoAn AnD mAnIToBA sTUDenT AID • Student loans are offered by the Canadian

federal and provincial governments

• A student loan is money that you borrow from the government and you must pay it back

• The difference between borrowing money from a bank or from the government is that you do not make payments or get charged interest on a government loan as long as you are registered as a student. If you borrow money from a bank or credit union, you get charged interest as soon as you start using the loan

• A student loan has a maximum amount of financial assistance and the amount is determined based on your financial circumstance

• For more information, call 1.800.204.1685 or to apply for a student loan online go to www.studentaid.gov.mb.ca or visit Manitoba Student Aid, Room 401-1181 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

peRsonAL LoAn • You may apply for a personal loan from your bank

or credit union. To get approval for a personal loan, you must have a good credit history

• The bank may also ask a co-signer to complete your application. A co-signer is a person who will sign for your loan. This means you and the co-signer are both responsible for paying back the loan

• Once your loan has been approved you have to pay back the interest on the loan for a set time while you are attending university

The TAp-In pRogRAm • Tap-In will give you a chance to take Continuing

Education courses for a reduced fee

• The Tap-In program is a partnership with The University of Winnipeg, Red River College, Winnipeg Technical College and Safety Services Manitoba

• The Immigrant Centre administers the Tap-In program

• For more information, call 204.943.9969 at extension 242

THE GWC & ESP 7

8 THE GWC & ESP

ATTenD cLAss AnD pARTIcIpATe • Class attendance and participation are very important

• Professors often grade students on punctuality and regular attendance

TAke An AppRopRIATe nUmBeR of coURses • Take a manageable course load so you can give each course the time

and dedication to maintain a good Grade Point Average

• If you decide to withdraw from one or two classes, you are required to officially withdraw before a certain due date. Due dates vary, so contact an Academic Advisor at your institution for the specific deadlines

noTe-TAkIng • It is important to write clearly and organize your notes for review and study

• Listen and write about the key points of the lecture, not everything your professor says

BeIng AccoUnTABLe To yoURseLf • As a post-secondary student, you are responsible for your success

• It is important to learn the university policies; written and unwritten codes of conduct. For example, copying authors without acknowledging their work (plagiarism) is a very serious offence. To learn more about university policies visit The GWC and get some advice

TIme mAnAgemenT • University can be one of the most memorable times of your life if you use

your time wisely

• It is important to maintain your social, family and work life as well as being a committed student

sTUDy, sTUDy, sTUDy • For every hour spent in class you should be spending one to two hours

outside of class studying, writing papers, and preparing for labs, lectures, tests and assignments

tips for Post-Secondary Students

Study, Study, Study

contact US: the global welcome centrephone: 204.258.2946 email: globalwelcomecentre@uwinnipeg.cawww.uwinnipeg.ca/index/gwc-index

englISh For SPecIFIc PUrPoSeS Programphone: 204.982.1818 email: infoesp@uwinnipeg.ca www.esp.uwinnipeg.ca

the global welcome centre

englISh For SPecIFIc PUrPoSeS

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THE GLOBAL WELCOME CENTRE

gwc