Overview

OSLT classes are free for those that are eligible. Students learn the communication skills needed to find and keep a job in Canada. In class, students practice dialogue and communication tasks commonly performed on the job, in their field, sector and occupation. OSLT classes are offered part-time, twice a week evenings and weekends.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying to Seneca's OSLT program, please contact Angela Jacewicz (OSLT Coordinator) at Angela.Jacewicz@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Applicants will need:

• Proof of status in Canada (like a Permanent Resident card). Participants must be Permanent Residents of Canada or Protected Persons.
• A Canadian Language Benchmark score of 6 or higher (CLB 6 - 8) from one of the Assessment Centres.
• Résumé showing previous work experience.  

Location

OSLT Schedule

Eligibility

Assessments

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Success Stories

Alan He

Alan He came from Beijing to Canada in 2021, during the pandemic, which made it especially challenging to make professional and personal connections. He says the OSLT Accounting and Finance course gave him the opportunity to adapt to the Canadian workplace and make friends.

"During the OSLT course, I had the opportunity to chat and laugh with people," says He. "It was nice to share our life and work with our instructor twice a week. There are several class activities related to scenarios like talking to co-workers, supervisors and customers. It was a good way for me to learn the Canadian working culture. We also had classes about small talk, which is quite useful here in North America."

He says he found the important tips from his OSLT instructor and the sessions on English presentations particularly helpful, which allowed students to present in front of the class and learn from each other.

Currently, He works at a technology risk consulting firm in Toronto. He credits the OSLT course in helping him feel more confident when communicating at work and making connections with other students, which have remained strong even after the course ended.

Bahar Sarlak

Prior to immigrating to Canada in 2021, Bahar Sarlak worked as an engineer in Iran, but always had a passion for coding and web development.

"I started self-learning web fundamentals by watching online tutorials and exploring available documentations," recalls Bahar. "After I moved to Canada, I recognized that this is a perfect opportunity to dive deeper into programming."

Upon hearing many high recommendations about Seneca's OSLT offerings from family and friends, Bahar joined the OSLT Technology course in spring 2022 to help support her career and improve her workplace communication skills.

"OSLT is not just about language training," says Bahar, who now works as a junior developer in Canada. "What I learned in this course will benefit me throughout my life. This course not only improved my English skills, but also helped me become familiar with Canadian workplace communication strategies."

Bahar also credits Seneca's OSLT Technology course with helping her develop both personally and professionally in her new career path.

"I was able to have IT professionals as my colleagues and we all benefited from the course content and networking opportunities," she says. "Before attending OSLT classes, public speaking was a bit difficult for me. Now I feel more confident in presentations and professional communications."

Daniele Sousa

It can be intimidating to make a mid-life career shift, but even more so in a new country while navigating a new language. However, Daniele Sousa, who came to Canada from Brazil in 2016, has embraced the challenge, changing her career path from office administration to software tester. The OSLT Technology course at Seneca has helped Sousa learn about the technology sector in Ontario, while practicing the workplace communication skills needed to find and keep a job in the technology industry.

"Since I started this course, I have learned a lot about the Canadian workplace," says Sousa. "I am feeling more confident speaking in public both professionally and in my personal life."

Throughout her time at Seneca, Sousa has also made valuable connections with her fellow classmates and instructor, who praised Sousa for her professional and diligent approach to the course material.

"I have met a lot of people that are working already in the technology field," says Sousa. "I have learned a lot - how to speak professionally, leave messages, write professional emails, grammar, how prepare for an interview, and how make good presentations."

Eli Sun

After 10 years of working in international business sales for a machinery import/export company in Shanghai, China, Eli Sun decided it was time for some global experience in his personal life. So he and his wife decided to move with their 13-year-old son to Canada last spring.

After settling with his family in Richmond Hill, Ontario, a city just north of Toronto, Sun planned to build on his considerable business experience and his Masters of Business Administration degree to resume his sales and marketing career. However, he realized he was at a disadvantage because he knew very little about Canadian business culture. But he soon discovered a great course to learn about it: Workplace Communication Skills for Entrepreneurship and Sales & Marketing. Read More.

Faranak AmirEbrahimi

"If I want to describe Faranak, I would say she is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and pleasant human beings to work with" says Faranak's OSLT Technology instructor.

Faranak came to Canada to join her husband after being separated for eight years. She wanted to continue her career in Canada in the tech sector.

She joined OSLT Technology upon the recommendation of her friends. She says, "Personally, it has improved my English communication skills, increasing my confidence in social interactions and daily conversations. Professionally, it has enhanced my ability to perform better in interviews, understand technical documentation more effectively, and communicate more clearly with colleagues and clients."

While taking the OSLT course, Faranak found a job as an IT system engineering specialist. She plans to continue with improving her communication skills and on advancing her career in the IT field.

Iryna Atamanenko

Iryna made the difficult decision to leave Ukraine in 2022 with the hope of finding a safe and secure place for her family to live. She felt Canada would offer both a high quality of life and opportunities for her in its emerging tech sector.

As an IT professional, she found Seneca's OSLT Technology course to be a great asset in building her confidence in communicating professionally. The course offers practical activities that students encounter in the workplace.

She says, "The breakout rooms and workshops in the course have been especially helpful in reaching my professional goals. Participating in breakout rooms allowed me to practice real-life scenarios and receive feedback in a collaborative setting. The workshops provided hands-on experience and practical skills, such as effective communication and presentation techniques. These activities have significantly enhanced my ability to interact professionally, present my ideas clearly, and integrate smoothly into the Canadian work environment."

She feels the connections she made with her peers were valuable in providing constructive feedback in a safe environment and helping her build a professional network.

Iryna says, "The OSLT course has helped me adapt to Canadian culture by improving my communication skills and understanding of professional norms. It has taught me how to interact effectively in both casual and formal settings, including workplace interactions and social situations. This has made it easier for me to integrate into Canadian society and connect with people from diverse backgrounds."

Iryna plans to leverage her experience and skills and advance her career while continuing to grow professionally.

Klaas Braga

Klaas Braga, a successful project management specialist, had a great life with his family in Brazil but he always aimed at taking his career to the next level in North America. Once he obtained his PR status, he acquired a job offer and then immigrated to Canada.

He now works as a technical project manager, leading the company's connectivity software projects by leveraging his previous experiences and knowledge in agile methodologies.

Braga joined Seneca's OSLT technology in Fall 2022 and found the program helpful in improving his communication skills. He valued learning about the cultural and emotional intelligence aspects of communicating in the Canadian workplace, as well as improving his skills in conducting professional calls, voicemails and strategizing for job interviews. Braga also finds himself more confident in writing professional emails and giving effective presentations at work. He also cherishes the professional network he has created with his peers.

Braga's instructor mentions he went above and beyond, projecting great leadership skills and exemplary commitment to both his peers and the coursework.

Maja Peric

In 2016, Maja Peric, from northeast Italy, was among the immigrants who chose to start a new life in Canada. She settled in a city north of Toronto to be with her Canadian partner. Peric was intent on resuming her career as a digital marketer.

"I love marketing; I couldn't see myself doing anything different," says Peric, who had worked in the field for two years in Italy. Peric soon discovered an OSLT course offered by Seneca Polytechnic's Newnham campus in Toronto: Workplace Communication Skills for Entrepreneurship and Sales & Marketing. The course explains communication norms in business workplaces and how to interact effectively with customers, managers, colleagues, employees, suppliers and other key stakeholders. Read More.

Mir Asim Ali Khan

Before taking Seneca's OSLT Technology course, Mir Asim Ali Khan was working as a marketing manager in the luxury auto industry in India.

"This course helped me understand what I was missing," says Ali Khan, who is currently working as associate project manager in Canada. "The curriculum and constructive feedback from the OSLT instructor made me realize the few things I was missing while communicating with others. For instance, indirect communication is a politer manner to talk, as well as the importance of assertive communication, not only in professional but also in personal life."

The OSLT Technology course has helped Ali Khan improve his workplace communication skills, specifically in areas like email, memo and report writing, presentation skills, facilitating meetings, and engaging confidently in social settings and networking events.

"OSLT course helped me hone my communication skills and helped me become more confident," says Ali Khan. "Now I can comfortably communicate with anyone and everyone across the spectrum. I think not only communication, but I was also introduced to some other OSLT resources that helped me become compassionate, improved my emotional quotient and active listening skills both personally and professionally."

Ali Khan's OSLT Technology instructor is proud of his hard work and commitment in the class. His willingness to take initiative and participate in various activities in class has also been a great example for his classmates.

Raul Garcia

When Raul Garcia and his wife chose to move to Canada from El Salvador in 2014, their goal was to provide better opportunities for their two daughters, then ages 16 and 10. But to help his family thrive, Garcia knew he'd have to integrate effectively and quickly into the Canadian workforce. Garcia, who is an experienced industrial engineer, began exploring avenues to resume his career in Toronto.

His research turned up a promising option: an Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) course called Workplace Communication Skills for Technology, which offers work-related language training to newcomers wanting to restart their careers in technology or other fields. It teaches about effectively interacting with co-workers and supervisors, the cultural aspects of technology workplaces, and how to network with local employers. The 180-hour course is available at a number of colleges throughout Ontario and is open to immigrants with training or experience in engineering, architectural or information technology. Read More.

Sanaz Farzadfard

April 14, 2012 was a life-changing day for Sanaz Farzadfard.

That is the day Sanaz fulfilled her childhood dream of creating a new life by moving abroad.

After settling in Toronto, Farzadfard turned her attention to employment. She sought to build on her education - a bachelor's degree in computer engineering - and her work experience as a logistics manager at a technology firm in Dubai.

Before long, she came across an educational option that could help her gain the language competencies she needed to rebuild her career in Ontario: a course called Workplace Communication Skills for Entrepreneurship and Sales & Marketing. Read More.

Sanaz Hemati

When it comes to employment, having technical skills is important – but so is knowing the language and culture of your workplace. It's the soft skills in this second area that can be challenging for immigrants, as Sanaz Hemati knows first hand.

In 2013, Hemati moved to Canada from Iran, where she had enjoyed an eight-year career in the quality assurance department of an international food processing and packaging company. After settling in Toronto with her new husband, she was keen to explore local job opportunities in food quality assurance. However, she knew she first needed to understand the business employment landscape in Ontario. A web search turned up just what she needed: a course called Workplace Communication Skills for Entrepreneurship and Sales & Marketing. This free course offers work-related language training to newcomers wanting to restart their business careers. Read More.

Tsai-Ying Lien

Tsai-Ying Lien found fulfillment in her career as an accountant back home in Taiwan. She also cherished her time with family and friends. Wanting to rebuild her life here in Canada, Lien decided to focus on her English skills. She followed her husband's recommendation and signed up for an OSLT class at Seneca to learn the communication skills needed to thrive in the workplace and adapt socio-culturally in Canada.

"Since my husband signed up for this course last year, sometimes I would hear what he learned during the class such as how to have small talk, greet others and respond to questions correctly in the workplace," says Lien. "The course helps me to build confidence and have a chance to blend in with Canadian culture."

Even though Lien's journey is still in progress, her instructor sees her as a success story, saying her performance, attendance and participation in classes have been exemplary.

Yana Butunina

Yana Butunina, an experienced professional who came to Canada in 2022, is putting the knowledge she learned in her OSLT Accounting and Finance course to use at her new job. She feels the OSLT course played an important part in helping her prepare for a career in Canada.

"In my interview with a recruiter, I was told that taking OSLT courses shows a newcomer's intention to integrate into Canadian business relationships as quickly as possible," says Yana. "Recruiters pay attention if candidates have local experience. Since many newcomers have no Canadian education or working background, OSLT courses are an excellent opportunity for them to add their Canadian education experience to their resumé."

Through the OSLT Accounting and Finance course, Yana learned about Canadian workplace culture, developed important job interviewing skills and learned how to prepare a resumé. She also practiced work-related tasks in the accounting sector, such as writing emails and creating presentations, and made valuable connections with other students.

"A newcomer needs to see many qualified professionals who are brave to restart their careers as well as they do," she says. "Getting training from the instructor who teaches and supports you is also vital."

Yuan Fang

Yuan Fang worked in accounting for over 10 years in China, before deciding to pursue a better future for her family in Canada. Upon recommendations from former OSLT students, she signed up for Seneca's OSLT Accounting and Finance course in 2021.

"The main reason I chose OSLT is that it's designed specifically for Accounting and Finance," recalls Fang. "I want to learn how people use English in this field."

Through the OSLT Accounting and Finance course, Fang learned how to write clear and concise emails, improve her presentation skills and enhance her confidence. She also developed valuable connections with her fellow classmates and instructor, which has proved beneficial for networking and career building.

"Even after the course, I still ask my instructor questions about job seeking," says Fang, who reached out to her instructor for advice on the next steps for her career. She's now working in a permanent, full-time position in her field.

Fang has a bachelor's and master's degree from Birmingham, UK, and is currently completing the accounting program at Seneca.

Special Project

In the Fall 2019 OSLT classes, the Business Sales and Marketing and Technology classes joined forces to work in groups on a project. Through Riipen, an online platform, OSLT students connected with an employer, Rosanne Korteland, the co-founder of Country Chic Paint. Over several weeks, students worked to create reports for optimizing Country Chic Paint's social media presence.

This project allowed students to incorporate communicative tasks from the OSLT curriculum into real life, namely managing interactions in groups, developing presentation skills, writing meeting-minutes, emails and reports. Students had the opportunity to communicate with a real life employer through online and written medium. At the end of the project, the groups received constructive feedback from the employer on their reports.

Pilot Training for Entrepreneurs

Seneca is offering a series of free communication courses for newcomers running their own business.

Topics covered include:

• Gathering and Sharing Information
• Using Email and Telephone
• Making Presentations
• Managing Interactions with Clients and Customers

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Schedule:

Eight Courses (three weeks each)
Students will meet online Thursdays 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

1. Apr. 19 to May 8, 2021 - Exploring Intercultural Communication
2. May 10 to May 29, 2021 - Gathering and Sharing Information
3. May 31 to June 19, 2021 - Using Email and Telephone
4. June 21 to July 10, 2021 - Chairing and Participating in Meetings
5. July 12 to July 30, 2021 - Making Presentations
6. Aug. 3 to Aug. 21, 2021 - Managing Interactions with Clients and Customers
7. Aug. 23 to Sept. 11, 2021 - Managing Interactions with Employees
8. Sept. 13 to Oct. 2, 2021 - Managing Challenging Interactions

Eligibility:

Students must currently be running their own business, be Permanent Residents or Convention Refugees (not Canadian citizens or Refugee Claimants) and must have a current CLB assessment level 6-8.

To apply, email: 

angela.jacewicz@senecapolytechnic.ca

Articles

Read more about our OSLT courses:

• Students Master Soft Skills with OSLT
• OSLT Supports Entrepreneurs
• Elevator Pitches and Networking Opportunities
• Engaging Lessons for OSLT Technology Students
• Empowering Newcomers in Management
• The Confidence to Thrive in the Canadian Workplace
• Writing Workplace Emails Effortlessly
• OSLT Courses Open to Ukrainian Students with a Temporary Residence and Their Dependents
• OSLT Alumni Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary
• OSLT Students Strengthen Their Job Interview Skills

Program Contacts

Angela Jacewicz
OSLT Coordinator
Angela.Jacewicz@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-9722