What services are available to help people strengthen their language skills?

Language skills are an important issue for employers who want to ensure they hire people who can effectively communicate with colleagues and clients.

When English is a second language for internationally trained individuals, it becomes difficult to measure both communication skills generally, as well as language proficiency in occupational-specific communication. However, it makes good business sense to consider applicants who are best qualified for a job if they are able to speak and communicate at a level that is sufficient for the work required.

Ways to assess and measure language needs:

The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks systems include clear descriptors and standards, and can offer employers advice on how to measure their own individual language requirements. For more information, visit the CCLB employer web page.

Language and communication skills are essential for every employee to be able to interact with colleagues and clients. If otherwise qualified individuals have language barriers, it sometimes makes business sense to hire them and provide language training. These skills can be learned and offer employers an opportunity to hire the best possible skill sets, with the benefit of adding multi-lingual staff members which can often improve global competitiveness.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered through public and private school boards, community colleges and community groups. To find out what ESL courses are available, employers can contact the Employment Ontario hotline at 1-888-JOB-GROW or 416-326-5656.

 

Need more information?

This section is new, and we expect to expand the content with your input. Send an email with your comments or suggestions to us at aptinfo@mci.gov.on.ca. Be sure to include "Employers section" in the subject of your email, to ensure the quickest response.

There are many issues facing employers when hiring internationally trained individuals. While this section may not be able to answer all of these questions or issues, we hope to be able to work with employers to make this section as informative and helpful as possible.