Official Language Group Coaching Program for Level B to C Transition

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI Pathway from level B to C Second Official Language Group Coaching Program -Cohort B Official Languages Language Training team Coaching Advisors

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI Pathway from Level B to C is a 12-week small group coaching program that aims to strengthen linguistic security, develop behaviors that promote the continued development and use of both OL in the workplace and provide a stepping stone towards achieving oral level C; by helping to: OBJECTIVES maintain already acquired knowledge and enrich communications skills; understand linguistic insecurity and support ways of transcending it; create momentum for action and learning; develop behaviors that promote continuouslearning, the use of both OL in the workplace, and provide a stepping stone towards reaching oral level C and/or professional goals; and identify challenges, needs, possibilities and strategies to improve linguistic learning.

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI TARGET CLIENTELE, ENGAGEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS The Pathway from Level B to C Second Official Language Group Coaching Program is intended for Managers (MGs) and employees who have been identified on a succession plan who meet the following requirements: Meet the linguistic profile requirements with valid results for: Reading Comprehension: level C Written Expression: level B or C Oral Proficiency: level B or C Receive permission from your director to participate in the coaching program. Receive support from your manager to participate in the coaching program. Sign the coaching agreement; including commitment to attend 100% of the time allocated to coaching sessions (12 weeks, 3 hours per week). Commit to program engagement and expectations: Develop a plan, along with your coach, to identify and address challenges. Engage in preparatory work (readings, reflections, practices, etc.). Take opportunities to speak in your second OL in the workplace. Foster linguistic security and improve your second OL. Be motivated towards achieving oral level C. NOTE: Priority may be given to employees who are self-identified in an EE group(s).

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI INITIAL CONTACT: diagnostic meeting This first encounter with the candidate will be a one-on-one meeting between the candidate and the coaching advisor This meeting will allow the coaching advisor to: Present the second official language group coaching program. Know the candidate s language training history. Identify the candidate s strengths, challenges and eligibility for the program; by assessing abilities to easily meet the requirements of oral level B, namely: Support a conversation regarding concrete topics. Report on actions taken. Give simple instructions to employees. Provide factual descriptions and explanations.

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI SECOND CONTACT: feedback session This second meeting will be about providing constructive feedback for the way forward This meeting will allow the coaching advisor to: Explain the highlights of a short evaluation report that will be shared with the candidate Offer other Language Training options if the candidate is not eligible for the program Provide recommendations Discuss next steps Share and explain program documents with the participant, if eligible for the program Answer any questions that the candidate may have and refer them to available resources Discuss scheduling of sessions Engage in the co-creation of the evergreen individual action plan individual commitment towards action plan between sessions (e.g. self-directed learning tool, grammar review, etc.)

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI DURATION:12 weeks NOTE: Participants will have the opportunity to participate in the coaching program for a maximum duration of 24 weeks in total, if additional coaching is required; to be discussed and decided between the participant and the coaching advisor(s) towards the end of the initial 12-week program. OVERVIEW OF COACHING PROGRAM TIME: 3 hours per week GROUP SIZE: small groups (maximum of 4 participants) PROGRAM INCLUDES: Evergreen individual action plans:individual commitment towards action plan between sessions (e.g. self-directed learning tool, grammar review, etc.) Preparatory materials: shared with group one week in advance Discussions:on a variety of work-related topics (e.g. Linguistic security, my job, CRA news and priorities, Government of Canada news and priorities, etc.) Opportunities for peer support Flexible format: e.g. switching coaches, breakout rooms, etc. Break week and mid-stage evaluations Guest speakers and participation in directed workshops Open dialogue Short oral presentations:towards the end of the 12-week program

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI PATHWAY FROM LEVEL B TO C: Basic 12-week overview WEEK GOAL OBJECTIVES SESSIONS Introductions Establish contact, lay ground rules Commit to program engagement (see slide 3) Follow evergreen individual action plan (see slide 8) Follow self-directed learning tools for second OL maintenance (see slide 9) Linguistic group coaching Orientation to public service evaluation How the group will work together Calendar of sessions Welcome and orientation 1 1-2 OVERVIEW OF COACHING SESSIONS Identify and adopt communication strategies 3-4 Weekly coaching sessions (3h/week) aimed at enhancing and refreshing knowledge. Identification of linguistic (in)security zones. Focus on communication by introspective exercises and exploration strategies. Be aware of who I am in my second OL 2-4 Balance confidence and insecurities zones 5-6 Be myself 7-8 Interview scenarios 9-10 Weekly coaching sessions (3h/week) aimed at enhancing and refreshing knowledge. Practice developing small habits that can be carried out in real situations to reinforce linguistic securities. Role Play of hypothetical situations Reviewing leadership skills 11-12 Reinforce linguistic security through self-awareness 5-8 Recent events 13-14 Professional topics, debates, interview scenarios 15-16 Weekly coaching sessions (3h/week) aimed at enhancing and refreshing knowledge. Adopt communication strategies to be able to bring the participant to a level where they are able to express themselves with authenticity. Reviewing current events and oral interview simulations. Exercise humility 17-18 Exercise humility and explore the complexity of level C Workshop exploration (1) 19-20 9-12 Workshop exploration (2) 21-22 Oral presentations 23-24

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI EVERGREEN INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN PARTICIPANT S ACTION PLAN SAMPLE PLAN First Draft Developed by the coach, based on the diagnostic meeting evaluation (initial contact). Shared with the participant prior to the feedback session (second contact). PRIORITY SKILLS FOR FOCUS SELF-IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES COMMITTED ACTIONS DEADLINE It is too time consuming to read Agency documents in my second official language (OL) and fear a drop in productivity by doing so. Everyday reading in English (e- mails, policies, documents ) Ongoing High Professional Vocabulary Second Iteraction Co-improved during the feedback session; regarding learning priorities, obstacles, preferences, etc. Share your commitments with your team and supervisor. Readjust Review your plan regularly; note your achievements, learnings, challenges, etc. Meet with another member of the group to discuss, if you feel the need. Request a one-on-one meeting with your coach to discuss, if you feel the need. Download a learning app for 15 minutes of daily practice (recommendations shared by coach). 4 weeks from the beginning of group coaching Medium Grammar and verbs (complex tenses and timing) I find learning grammar monotonous. Study with another group member Evergreen Revise based on personal insights; such as: You discover a new tool that would better support your grammar review. You think a less detailed plan would help with focus and goal-setting. Download a pronunciation app for 15 minutes of daily practice (recommendations shared by coach). Ongoing Low Clarity and Pronunciation It is difficult to find time to work on pronunciation in my second OL.

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING TOOLS LANGUAGE APPLICATIONS AGENCY RESOURCES MaurilDeveloped by Radio-Canada, with 100% Canadian content! It includes various accents that we can hear across Canada! LRDGThe goal of the Language Research Development Group (LRDG) self-directed learning program is to support Agency employees in developing, improving and maintaining their second official language (OL). Self-directed learning: allows beginner, intermediate and advanced learners to learn at their own pace by focusing on specific concepts and/or skills; is suitable for people whose mother tongue is neither English nor French; and offers great flexibility to fit learning and/or second Official Language (OL) maintenance around your daily workload. Duolingo Accessible for various mother tongues; targeting vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and listening skills. National Language Buddy ProgramThe National Language Buddy Program offers employees an opportunity to practice their second OL, to help: Babbel Offers live lessons, interactive activities, podcasts, games, lessons that focus on real-life conversations! My language apps maintain and refine second OL knowledge; increase linguistic security; establish professional and friendly interactions with new colleagues across Canada in an informal and relaxed environment; and enhance the organization's ability to maintain a bilingual workforce. Memrise Focuses on immersive learning, gamified tests, video examples of language used in real life, and courses designed by native speakers! District L2District L2 is a maintenance strategy via the Share Point platform to promote continuous learning of OL at the Agency, by sharing: good practices (internal and external); promotional tools and resources; and ideas that promote linguistic exchanges.

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI CRITERIA FOR ORAL PROFICIENCY: LEVEL B vs LEVEL C ORAL LEVEL B ORAL LEVEL C A person speaking at this level understands the main points of standard speech that deals with work-related topics delivered at normal speed. A person speaking at this level understands linguistically complex speech that deals with work-related topics delivered at normal speed. Can give a simple description of a concrete topic. Can give clear, detailed descriptions of complex topics. Can explain main points comprehensibly. Can summarize a discussion. Can compare and discuss. Can express and sustain opinions, and respond to complex and hypothetical questions. Can speak with some spontaneity, with some hesitations and pauses. Has a fairly natural and even delivery, with occasional hesitations (that are mostly for ideas). Has sufficient vocabulary, a variety of simple grammatical structures and can link sequences. Has a broad range of vocabulary and structures with a relatively high degree of control. May be miscommunicating in some areas, but most stretches are clear. Makes errors, but these rarely lead to misunderstanding. Has generally clear pronunciation, even if an accent from another language is noticeable. Has clear pronunciation, even if an accent from another language is noticeable.

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFI WHO WE ARE We are a team within the Official Languages and Recognition Division (OLRD) committed to bilingualism Christianne Richard (Manager) Christianne.Richard@cra-arc.gc.ca Xavier Pachake (Acting Manager, Bilingual Coaching Advisor) Xavier.Pachake@cra-arc.gc.ca Mackenzie Hill (English Coaching Advisor) Mackenzie.Hill@cra-arc.gc.ca Alain Ouellette-Roy (French Coaching Advisor) Alain.Ouellette-Roy@cra-arc.gc.ca Claudine Gagnon (Bilingual Coaching Advisor) Claudine.Gagnon@cra-arc.gc.ca Sonia Ally(French Coaching Advisor) Sonia.Ally@cra-arc.gc.ca Abdi Aden-Chil (French Coaching Advisor) Abdi.AdenChil@cra-arc.gc.ca