Provide access to second language tools to Canadian universities

Information kit for coordinators and students

Is this a new program?

• Yes. This pilot program was created as part of the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future, an initiative spearheaded by the Canadian government.

• The Canada School of Public Service provides access to some of its language training products to certain Canadian universities.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/slo-ols/pubs/08-13-LDL/index-eng.cfm

http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/pbp/rcld-eng.asp

What are the objectives of the program?

The objectives of this program are to:

• create a pool of new graduates who meet the federal government’s language requirements and are considering a career in the federal public service;

• give university students access to the same premium language training tools as federal public servants;

• enable the university students taking part in the program to understand the importance of and issues related to linguistic duality within the federal government.

What am I getting myself into if I participate in the program?

• Be prepared to spend 5 to 10 hours a week studying one of the two official languages.

• Participate fully and actively throughout the initiative.

• Diligently perform the tasks that are part of the curriculum.

• Meet the program requirements set by the Canada School of Public Service and your university.

How can I find out if I’m a good candidate for the program?

• You first have to meet the selection criteria.

• You will have to be available for preliminary placement and language assessment tests.

• You will have to be prepared to meet the program requirements set by the School and your university.

• You can also contact the resource person at your university for more information.

What are the selection criteria I have to consider if I want to participate in the program?

• You are prepared to spend 5 to 10 hours a week learning your second language.

• You have certain skills in your second language, that is, you have previously studied it or been exposed to it.

• You are considering a career in the federal public service.

• You are self-reliant, independent, motivated and anxious to learn.

• You are able to express yourself, seek help when you encounter a problem as you are learning, open to new approaches and to the use of technology as a learning tool.

• You are willing to share and provide feedback related to your learning.

When can I start the program?

• The learning phase of the program were launched at some universities on January 11, 2010, a bit later at others. Contact your resource person for information on when the program begins at your university.

Will I have to take any tests or exams?

• Yes, you will have to take three types of tests:

placement tests to determine your learning style and your ability to learn a language;

Public Service Commission (PSC) second-language tests to determine your level of language proficiency;

during the program, skills checks and progress tests to determine how you are advancing.

What are placement tests?

• They are designed to determine your aptitude to learn a second language and establish your learner profile.

• They are administered by the School’s Orientation Services in cooperation with your university.

• You will have to set aside 3 to 4 hours for the tests.

• They include three different components: the first determines your ability to learn a

language; the second identifies your learning style; Finally, a questionnaire provides information

on your language background.

What are Public Service Commission tests?

• The purpose of the PSC’s second-language tests is to identity your ability to perform linguistic tasks in your second language.

• The tests are administered by a PSC officer http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca or a designated representative.

• They can be completed on line or with pen and paper, in person at a PSC office or by telephone depending on where you live.

• The tests take 3 to 4 hours.• You will take three different tests:

reading comprehension; written expression; oral interaction.

Is this a university credit program? Will I get credits when I complete the program?

• For now, the program does not offer any credits that can be used

to obtain a university degree.

What will I get out of the program?

• A Public Service Commission linguistic profile valid for 5 years.

• Increased proficiency in your second language.

• Better knowledge and understanding of the federal public service and related issues.

How will this language program complement my current university program?

• Proficiency in a second language opens new doors and gives you access to more resources.

• At some universities, knowledge of a second language is a prerequisite for graduation.

• The approach used by the program allows you to develop your bilingual skills not only at school, but also in your day-to-day life.

• The approach gives you flexibility in learning your second language and also enables you to identify the learning strategies that work best for you. Imagine not having to sit in a classroom for hours in order to learn!

How will this program help me in my professional career?

• Proficiency in your second language increases employment opportunities.

• Having a valid linguistic profile already will expedite the hiring process should you decide to join the Public Service.

• You will have access to more interesting and better-paying jobs.

• You will be able to express yourself better in your second language both at work and in your free time.

• It gives you an opportunity to open up to and learn more about another culture.

• If fosters more effective communication and more harmonious relations between groups.

• It enables you to work anywhere in Canada and in other countries, too!

Will the program make me truly bilingual?

• That depends a lot on you!

• Our products are proven to work.

• Motivation, attitude, aptitude, effort, attendance and investment of time and energy are all factors that will have a bearing on your success.

Could I work on the program from home?

• Yes.

• The program is on line.

• You can work from anywhere provided you have Internet access and the software needed to run the tools.

How many hours a week will I have to spend on the program?

• It all depends on the group you will belong to.

• Within this initiative, three distinct groups will be constituted, namely: the guided group, the self-directed group and the control group.

• If you belong to the guided group, you will have to spend 5 to 10 hours a week studying your second language.

• If you belong to the self-directed group, it is up to you to determine the number of hours you will invest to your learning weekly.

• The control group is used to establish a reference point and to compare learning results within the study. (see the next slide for more information regarding the difference between these groups).

What is exactly the difference between these three groups?

• In a nutshell, the learners in the guided groups will have access to some privileges which will not be made available to the participants of the two other groups. The table below summarizes some of these privileges.

Groupe guidé Groupe autodirigé Groupe contrôle

Outils en ligne Bulletin hebdomadaire Tests progrès Soutien pédagogique Tests de la CFP

Who is eligible to take part in the program?

• Undergraduate and graduate students.

• Students identified by their university who are willing to stick with the program and meet its requirements.

I am a master’s student. Will I be able to finish the program by March 2012?

• You will not be able to do the entire program. Because this is a pilot project and for management and research reasons, the schedule applies to all participants.

• However, depending on the agreement between your university and the School, you may be able to take part in the program and do the required work for at least 12 months.

• Contact the resource person at your university for more information.

Will the program help me get a government job faster?

• The program is not designed to place participants in government jobs.

• However, at the end of the program, participants will have a valid linguistic profile, which is a requirement for a large number of federal government jobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca . In addition, they will have had an opportunity to become familiar with the realities of the federal government.

Could the program help me find a summer job with the federal government?

• The program is not designed to help you find a summer job with the federal government.

• However, the program will expose you to the realities of government, and because you will be more informed, it may be easier for you to find a summer job with the federal government http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm .

What would happen if I were to be away from university for a while? Would I be able to resume the program when I got back?

• These questions are handled directly by the university. It is recommended that you discuss the matter promptly with the program resource person at your university.

• You should know that the tools are accessible online, via the School’s virtual campus, and that you can actually continue your learning even if you are not on your own university campus. The choice is yours.

• However, your university may require you to attend in person from time to time for a variety of educational or administrative reasons related to the program.

Is this program similar to the federal government’s co-op program?

• No, this is not a co-op program.

• This is a language program. It covers second-language learning and understanding of linguistic duality in the federal public service.

What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?

• It depends on when you withdraw and the agreement with your university.

• Language learning takes place over a long time.

• You will also have to meet with the resource person at your university and complete a leaving interview questionnaire that will help us understand why you left.

What resources are available to help me complete the program successfully?

• On-line Canada School of Public Service tools specially selected for the university program.

• Resource persons assigned to the project at your university who can guide you through your learning process.

• Depending on the delivery method chosen by your university, a dedicated portal for the community of practice that includes the participants and support from the School’s educational officers.

I noticed that there were several groups. Do I get to choose a group?

Maybe. It depends on the agreement between your university and the Canada School of Public Service and whether your university is able to offer all or only some of the program options.

You should therefore discuss the matter with the program resource person at your university.

What would happen if I changed faculties or universities?

• If you change faculties, you can continue in the program provided you make arrangements with the program resource person at your university.

• If you change universities, you unfortunately cannot continue in the program unless you move to a university that also takes part in the program and is willing to let you join.

What happens at the end of the program?

• If you successfully complete the program: you will have a valid Public Service

Commission linguistic profile for 5 years;

you will know more about and have a better understanding of linguistic duality in the federal public service;

you will receive a certificate of achievement confirming that you have completed the entire program.

What is the deadline for applications?

• Get moving! Space is limited. Give

your name to the program

resource person at your university.

• He or she will contact the School

in order to get the ball rolling on a

preliminary assessment.

What do I have to do if I decide to take part in the program? Where do I apply?

• Start by deciding whether you are motivated and prepared to take on the responsibilities associated with the program.

• Contact the resource person at your university to find out if you meet all the admission criteria.

• Provide the resource person with the information needed to open a file for you and proceed with the next steps.

Where can I get more information?

Go to the following sites for more information:

• Roadmap http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/slo-ols/strat-eng.cfm

• CSPS initiative http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/pbp/rcld-eng.asp

• PSC tests http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc-cpp/sle-els/index-eng.htm

• CSPS placement services http://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/ifo/20080603-eng.asp

• Government jobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/index-eng.htm

• Student jobs http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm