09: Côte-Nord

PROJECT TITLE

Côte-Nord Language Training 2010-2013

AGENCY

Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de la Côte-Nord

PARTNERS

The CSSS de la Basse-Côte-Nord, le CSSS de Sept-Îles, the Centre de protection et de réadaptation de la Côte-Nord, le CSSS de Manicouagan, le CSSS de l’Hématite, le CSSS de Port-Cartier, le CLSC Naskapi.

The Côte-Nord region plans to offer professional English and professional French language courses - in the case of the Basse-Côte-Nord (CSSS de la Basse-Côte-Nord) and of Kawawachikamach (CLSC Naskapi).

OBJECTIVES

• Professional English language section:
  Allow workers to communicate adequately with unilingual English-speaking clientele or those who have difficulties communicating in French.
• Professional French language section:
  Meet language training and improvement needs of English-speaking workers and ensure effective communication with French-speaking clientele.

NEEDS AND PRIORITIES

• Professional English language section:
  • Develop and improve workers' ability to meet the needs of the English-speaking clientele in the Côte-Nord region;
  • Use bidirectional communication strategies to establish and encourage relationships;
  • Give the reception staff the means to clearly meet and precisely answer English-speaking client and healthcare partner requests by phone or in person;
  • Understand the client’s need and refer him to the person that can help him;
  • Establish communication that encourages a relationship of trust between the client and the worker.

STAFF TARGET FOR 2010-2013

• Professional English language section
  Reception (20), Health (15), Social (15)  
  Total: 50
• Professional French language section
  Reception (2), Health (2), Social (1)    
  Total: 5

DESCRIPTION OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES

• Training activities:
  • Professional English language section: Face-to-face teaching and distance teaching via the Web.  The project encourages an intensive session model over two weeks. However, in order to fulfill the wishes of certain institutions, a training model spread over a few months for a few hours per week could also be offered.
  • Professional French language section: Intensive or immersion training when hiring English-language staff.
• Activities for maintaining and developing skills and knowledge transfer: Various activities are planned to encourage professional English language learners to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves in their environment to expose themselves to English or to speak it. These include radio, television, books, magazines, songs or various communication situations.
• Learner evaluation: Before the start of the session, candidates will be tested and placed so as to create consistent groups and ensure quality teaching that fits each student’s education level.  Oral and written (mixed) tests will measure learners’ ability to maintain a conversation, their comfort with using language and the clarity of the communicated message. During the session, the instructor will evaluate the learners through activities such as role playing in relation to their professional environment. Reading and writing projects can also be introduced using materials that learners normally use based on subjects that interest them. The learners can review their tests after they are graded so they can see their progress. At the end of the session, the trainer will administer a mixed test (oral and written) to measure the progress that has been made and to indicate to learners their strong and weak points.  The trainer will also be able to tell the learner if he has reached a higher level of learning (e.g. if he has advanced from beginner to intermediate).
• Training materials
  • The Cégep de Baie-Comeau will use a book created by the trainer, the English Grammar Booklet, which includes various exercises, conjugation rules, etc. For conversation, vocabulary to use when receiving a client, answering a phone call, etc., the Cégep trainer will use Sofad bilingual communication materials. 
  • For the beginner level, The Northern Lights Adult Education and Vocational Centre will use materials available on the McGill University website (Easy Essential Grammar Exercise Book), materials created by the trainer and the Petit Lexique de la santé et des services sociaux. For the intermediate level, the trainer will use Momentum Building English and Grammar Skills, materials created by the trainer and the Petit Lexique de la santé et des services sociaux.
  • The Business Class training house will use the Basic Grammar 3^rd Edition, Test Your Professional Medical English, Boost Your Vocabulary 4 and materials created by the trainer.
  • The Commission scolaire du Littoral will use materials available on the McGill University website and materials created by the trainer.

The courses will take place on the premises of the network institutions and training organizations.

PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES

For 25 employees, the courses will be offered during work hours with staff replacement costs reimbursed (full reimbursement or based on another percentage to be discussed with the institutions based on the number of participants). Reimbursement will be made only if employee participants attend the course; proof of attendance will be required.

For the remaining 25 employees, courses will be offered outside of work hours. A bonus will be given as an incentive to participate. This bonus will be determined with participating institutions and proof of attendance will be required.  

TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS

The Cégep de Baie-Comeau; the Northern Lights Adult Education and Vocational Centre, Business Class; the Commission scolaire du Littoral   

BUDGET ALLOCATED FOR 2010-2013: $240,000