News Release - Backgrounder

February 17, 2010

About Common Ground: English in the Workplace

Consists of three components:

1. How-to Guide for Employers
• Helps to asses if this program is an appropriate resource for their company
  
• Provides step-by-step instruction on how to setup processes
  
• Provides a variety of assessment tools pre- and post-program
  
2. How-to Guide for Facilitators
• A series of questions and answers to help prepare facilitators to teach
  English in the workplace
• Special emphasis on teaching through an intercultural “lens”
  
3. Training Manual
• 10-weeks of modules including assignments on safety, pronunciation clarity, intercultural awareness, idioms and conversation how to’s.
  
• Vocabulary lists for the following industries: food processing, manufacturing, food service, hospitality, and tourism.
  

To download a free copy of Common Ground: English in the Workplace, visit http://www.norquest.ca/cfe/intercultural/proj_commonground.asp

About the Centre for Excellence in Intercultural Education

Dedicated to involving and transforming businesses and community organizations through customized, innovative and practical intercultural training grounded in applied research, the Centre for Excellence in Intercultural Education is part of NorQuest College’s commitment to develop intercultural and communication competence in Canada.

The Centre specializes in a broad range of language and cultural training services:

• Training and professional development through customized courses, on-site workshops and RBC Speakers Series presentations.
  
• Coaching on intercultural and workplace integration solutions
  
• Integrating intercultural and language instruction into educational programs
  
• Consulting with private, public and non-profit organizations on cultural and intercultural diversity issues
  
• Developing solutions through applied research
  

About NorQuest College

NorQuest College is Edmonton’s community college with campuses in Edmonton, Wetaskiwin and Stony Plain, community learning centres in seven other Alberta communities and online distance learning available in more than 200 communities in Canada. NorQuest delivers post-secondary diplomas and certificates in a variety of health, human services, business and industry career programs, and has expertise in adult literacy, academic upgrading, English as a Second Language (ESL), Aboriginal education, and learner supports for students with disabilities.

As the largest community college in Alberta, NorQuest serves about 10,000 full- and part-time students each year. NorQuest is designated by the Alberta government as the regional steward responsible for the Edmonton region, from Camrose to Jasper and Drayton Valley to Whitecourt.

For more information, visit www.norquest.ca