Language Training for Canada

Knowing English or French helps open the door to jobs, services, news and information in Canada. Learn about the steps you can take to improve your language skills before and after you arrive in Canada.

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Transcript: “Language Training for Canada”

Video length: 5:19 minutes

MUSIC: The video begins with upbeat background music.

THE SCENE: A sequence of images that starts with a dentist and his assistant treating a patient. That is followed by men in white smocks in a computer lab and then a nurse taking a patient’s temperature. And finally, a woman is shopping in a store.

NARRATION: Being able to understand and speak the language of a country is very important to your success in living and working in that country.

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: The image fades to a stylized blue background with the image of a globe spinning on its axis. A dark blue stylized graphic appears at the bottom of the screen with the title “Language Training in Canada.”

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: Two young people are entering an education centre followed by a scene with students of various nationalities seated at computers in a classroom.

NARRATION: Knowledge of one of Canada’s official languages helps open the door to jobs, services, news and information.

THE SCENE: The sequence of images continues with a woman instructing a young man seated next to her, reading aloud. An image appears of two women talking in a store.

NARRATION: The Government of Canada offers language classes to help you improve your English or French. You can also start working to improve your language skills before you arrive.

THE SCENE: A young man is talking. A child is looking at a sheet of paper with drawings.

NARRATION: Language helps you improve your education and the education of your children.

THE SCENE: A scene of two women in a beauty salon is followed by a few people signing forms at a citizenship ceremony, followed by a medium close-up of official immigration documents. The image sequence continues with a man seated at a computer followed by a medium close-up of his hands typing on the keyboard. The shot switches to a bird’s eye view of the man. 

NARRATION: Language helps you to meet new people and participate in activities in your new community. And it helps you to obtain citizenship. To become a Canadian citizen, you must show that you have adequate knowledge of one of Canada’s official languages, measured through the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: A stylized blue graphic background fades in then the phrase, “Language Testing” appears.

NARRATION: No narration

THE SCENE: Two women in a classroom are working in exercise books followed by a few persons walking on a sidewalk.

NARRATION: In Canada, our official languages are English and French. Many Canadians speak both languages.

THE SCENE: A family gathered around a computer. A white line is then superimposed across the screen. The words “Language Testing” and “www.clb-osa.ca” appear respectively above and below the line.

NARRATION: If you have access to the Internet, you can take a practise test in English or French even before you arrive in Canada.

THE SCENE: The homepage of the CLB-OSA website appears on the screen. Then a close-up of a man wearing glasses appears followed by a wider shot of the man. This is followed by a family gathered around a computer screen.

NARRATION: This will give you an idea of your strengths and what you may need to work on to improve your skills.

THE SCENE: The family, enjoying the experience, is still gathered around a computer screen. The CLB-OSA website appears again. The phrase, “Testing Centre” appears on the page.

NARRATION: It’s easy to do, it takes about one hour, and there’s no cost. And it will better prepare you for your formal assessment.

THE SCENE: The screen background fades to a stylized blue background. “Training” and “Options” appear respectively above and below the line.

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: People of different nationalities are all sitting at a table listening to a teacher in a small classroom. Then, in a larger classroom, two rows of people are sitting and listening to a teacher’s instructions. Finally, the teacher is seen at the front of the classroom.

NARRATION: When you arrive in Canada, organizations that provide immigrant services can help you to get more information about language classes that can best meet your needs.

THE SCENE: A medium close-up of a student reading a text is followed by a close-up of a student writing on a piece of paper and then a wider shot of a classroom of students.

NARRATION: To enrol in a class, you and your family will need to have your English or French skills tested at an assessment centre. Organizations exist across Canada to help newcomers find those testing facilities.

THE SCENE: A close-up of a student. On the wall of an education centre, a poster on a bulletin board reads, in English and in French, “Helping Newcomers Succeed - Aider les nouveaux arrivants à réussir.” Newcomers enter a classroom.

NARRATION: We want you to succeed in your language studies, so there are different training options available to suit your needs

THE SCENE: A close-up of a student reading a text in a classroom is followed by a medium close-up of her hands holding the text.

NARRATION: Depending on where you choose to settle, you can take English or French training.

THE SCENE: A woman is talking in a classroom.

NARRATION: There are training programs that are paid for by the Government of Canada.

THE SCENE: A stylized background fades to blue then the phrases; “Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada” and “Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada” appear respectively above and below the line. This is followed by a series of images from various angles of students in a classroom.

NARRATION: Programs such as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada in English and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada in French are available to adult permanent residents or refugees for free.

THE SCENE: We see a teacher giving a course to students; followed by a close-up of the teacher. Then we see a dictionary and a book entitled “Moi, je parle français!”

NARRATION: Training is available at all levels: from very basic classes for those who have little or no English or French skills….

THE SCENE: A close-up of a student is followed by two men talking in a classroom.

NARRATION: … to advanced classes focused on workplace-specific skills.

THE SCENE: A classroom with a teacher in front of a white board. The teacher then hands out documents to the students. This is followed by a man and a woman talking as they sit at a computer. Finally, two people are sitting at a table filling out forms.

NARRATION: For example, in advanced classes, you can get language training to help you find a job that matches your skills and qualifications.
These classes may offer work placements, mentoring, cultural orientation to the workplace and licensing exam preparation.

THE SCENE: Different shots of students sitting in a classroom followed by an outdoor scene of people entering an apartment building. Then, a series of shots of a sign that reads “Rental Office.” That is followed by a man in a military uniform arriving at a bank counter and then by people taking their citizenship oath at an official ceremony. Finally, a woman is giving a job application to an office worker.

NARRATION: During language training, you’ll also get information to help you get settled in Canada. You’ll learn about housing, banking, citizenship, rights and responsibilities, government services, and how to get a job.

THE SCENE: Students in a classroom followed by a teacher giving instructions. Then a group of people is seated at computers while a teacher is helping an Asian student. This is followed by people entering a multicultural centre and then a medium close-up of a sign that reads, “Multicultural Centre of the Yukon.” Two students are talking in a classroom. Finally, another teacher is supervising students in a classroom setting.

NARRATION: You can choose to take full-time or part-time classes… in a classroom or online… during the day, the evening or the weekend… at all levels from basic to advanced… at various locations such as community organizations, schools and colleges… at a time that is convenient for you and at no charge to you.

THE SCENE: An outdoor scene of people entering a building. Then, inside the building, a woman and her son enter an office. They are greeted by a smiling woman.

NARRATION: Some programs offer child care and provide services for students with special needs.

THE SCENE: The image returns to students in a classroom. A teacher is instructing the students.

NARRATION: All classes are taught by qualified, experienced instructors who want to help you succeed!

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: A stylized background fades to blue then the words, “Get Started” and “Now” appear respectively above and below the line.

MUSIC: Lively background music fades up.

THE SCENE: A man with headphones is sitting at a computer. A stylized graphic screen appears then the following bullets appear in succession:

• Take the CLB online practice language test before you arrive in Canada
• Visit an immigrant assistance organization as soon as you arrive
• Get a formal language assessment at an assessment centre
• Register in a language class
• Start taking language classes at no cost to you and begin improving your skills without delay!

NARRATION: So remember, as soon as possible,

1. Take the CLB online practice language test before you arrive in Canada.
2. Visit an organization that serves immigrants as soon as possible once you arrive.
3. Get a formal language assessment at an assessment centre.
4. Register in language classes.
5. Start taking language classes at no cost to you and improve your skills right away

MUSIC: Lively background music continues.

THE SCENE: Returns to the image of a classroom with a teacher and his students. In turn, the faces of newcomers appear.

NARRATION: Don’t wait until you apply for Canadian citizenship to improve your language skills. We look forward to greeting you in both official languages…

MUSIC: Lively background music continues.

THE SCENE: The Canadian flag is waving in front of a blue sky.

NARRATION: Bienvenue au Canada!
Welcome to Canada!

MUSIC: Full music continues.

THE SCENE: A page from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website appears on the screen. Welcome to Canada – What you should know publication appears then the scene returns to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web page. At the bottom of the screen www.immigration.gc.ca/settlement appears.

NARRATION: No narration.

MUSIC: Music fades out

THE SCENE: The screen fades to black. In the center of the screen, Citizenship and Immigration Canada logo appears. The screen fades to black again. The following text appears at the bottom of the screen:
“Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada represented by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2014.”

MUSIC: Fades-out.

THE SCENE: The screen fades to black. The CANADA wordmark appears on the screen. The video fades to black.

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