e-Work: Online English Language Training for the Workplace

Applications for e-Work are closed as of June 2011. Please check back at this site for updates.

What is e-Work?

e-Work is a series of 10 online, short courses designed for immigrants in BC, both employed and not yet employed, to improve their job-related English language skills. The online courses are delivered electronically, so both the instructor and the students use computers. The courses are at a high intermediate to advanced English language proficiency level, or Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 6-9, and the course topics are relevant to a variety of workplaces. Each course runs for 8 weeks for a total of 35 hours, or about 5 hours a week.

How long is a course?

Each course is a total of 35 hours, offered over 8 weeks. The first week is an orientation to Desire 2 Learn (D2L). Weeks 2-8 are divided into 6 or 7 lessons. Although each lesson totals 5 to 6 hours, each one contains many learning activities, most of which can be completed in as little as 20-30 minutes. These shorter learning activities can be more easily scheduled into a busy day.

How will I study?

In e-Work courses, there are no scheduled class times. You can study at times that are most convenient for you. However, you also need to be very well organized to keep on the weekly schedule.

Each course includes 3 types of learning: activities that you do on your own, activities that you do with a group, and interaction with the instructor. You will take part in online conversations and discussions, and complete individual and group assignments.

How will I be assessed?

Each lesson includes an assessment activity, where you apply what you have learned in the lesson. In this activity you also will reflect on what you have learned and share an example on the discussion forum.

In the final lesson of each course, you will demonstrate your understanding of the concepts taught in the course through a final activity related to the course content. This activity assists in determining your achievement on the course outcomes.

Who are the instructors?

The e-Work courses are taught by Camosun College English Language Development instructors who have specific expertise in teaching English for the Workplace to high intermediate and advanced level students. They are familiar with workplace communication and have experience teaching online courses.

The instructors will help you improve your English in many ways, by:

providing quick feedback on your assignments and assessments,
answering your questions,
commenting on posts on discussion boards,
checking in with you to see how things are going,
asking for your feedback on the course.

In addition, instructors will be available online at set times for drop-in online discussion.

This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.