Connexion Corner: ESDC's Monthly Learning Bulletin
March 2021 Edition
No matter your role within our department, you can find something to fit your unique needs and interests within Connexion Corner: your one-stop-shop for everything learning related at ESDC!
Supporting bilingualism at ESDC
Supporting and encouraging bilingualism and the use of Canada’s two official languages in the workplace has been a long-standing characteristic of our culture at Employment and Social Development Canada
Whether you are a new learner or are looking to brush up on your abilities in your second official language, you’re in luck! This month’s Connexion Corner theme is Second Official Language Learning and you’re bound to find something that fits your language learning needs, no matter your current skill level.
Ready to start learning? Browse the learning options below to register for the offerings of your choice, or send this page to your colleagues to make it a team event.
Spotlight on!
Looking for an engaging way to learn or maintain your second official language from the comfort of your own home?
If so, we have just the opportunity for you!
Mauril is a new, free and ad-free digital platform leveraging a wide range of stimulating and entertaining content from CBC/Radio-Canada to help users learn English and French. Financed and endorsed by the Government of Canada, this new tool is designed and deployed by CBC/Radio-Canada, in collaboration with a committee of pedagogical experts. It’s meant to help improve oral comprehension and integrate language knowledge in everyday life
Mauril will be available for download in the App Store for iOS devices and the Google Store for Android devices, so you can develop your abilities in your second official language from anywhere!
To learn more about this application and to view a short video about Mauril, visit the Mauril website.
Explore these online learning offerings at anytime
- Self-study Toolkit: Achieve BB in French as a second official language
- Learn more about non-binary gender in French (French only)
- Embracing the singular “they” as a neutral pronoun
- How can we promote the use of both official languages when teleworking?
- Official Languages and Me
- Exercising my Leadership in Official Languages
- Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages – Portal for Public Servants
- Language Portal of Canada
- Canada School of Public Service's Language Maintenance Tools
- An Introduction to the Management of Investment Projects at ESDC: Project and Programme Management Practice
Do more learn more
Ask Coco!
Dear Coco,
I am a bilingual employee – French is my first official language, but I also speak English comfortably. I work with many colleagues who are striving to improve their abilities in French.
When I am conversing with someone who is speaking French and I see that they are struggling, I tend to automatically switch to English. I do this to be considerate of them; I don’t want them to feel obligated to accommodate my language preference, especially if it seems uncomfortable for them to do so.
At the same time, I don’t know if they are speaking French to try to practice and maintain their own abilities. In that case, I am happy to encourage and support their use of their second language. I never know what to do in this situation and it is something I face frequently. Do you have any tips for me or anyone in a similar position?
- Duo Lingo Dilemma
Dear Duo,
Opening the channels of communication between colleagues can help to resolve these confusing situations!
I encourage employees who want to practice their second official language to add a line to their email signature block saying, “I am a (French/English) language learner. I encourage you to communicate with me in my second official language to assist me with my learning progression.”
For bilingual employees, like yourself, who are comfortable communicating in both official languages, you could also add a line to your signature block saying, “Feel free to communicate with me in the official language of your choice.”
It is through steps like these that we can overcome linguistic insecurity in the workplace: the speaker’s feeling of self-consciousness or lack of confidence when communicating in their second official language.
Building linguistic security takes respect, encouragement and awareness from employees at all levels of the public service. It’s important to encourage employees to ask colleague to help them practice, and to avoid switching to the first official language of a learner who is trying to practice.
You may want to check out the related learning event: From Linguistic Insecurity to Linguistic Security: Coaching, Resilience and Risk-Taking on March 3rd, 2021!
Best Practices Forum on Official Languages
Date: March 1 – 5, 2021
Time: Various times
Language: Available in English and French
Learning Priority: Official Languages Learning
- Description:
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Employees are invited to take part in the Best Practices Forum on Official languages, organized by the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions, the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, in collaboration with the Canada School of Public Service. Offered in virtual format this year, the Forum will focus on diversity and inclusion and open its doors to the entire public service.
Find all the activities on the Forum’s GCwiki page.
From Linguistic Insecurity to Linguistic Security: Coaching, Resilience and Risk-Taking
Date: March 3, 2021
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (EST)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Learning Priority: Official Languages Learning
- Description:
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A virtual event hosted by the CSPS. Experts will share their experiences with the competencies that enhance linguistic security on an individual and organizational basis.
Registration deadline: March 2, 2021, 4:00 PM (EST)
Armchair Discussion on Official Languages Leadership: Walking the Talk Across Canada!
Date: March 3, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (EST)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Learning Priority: Official Languages Learning
- Description:
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A virtual event hosted by the CSPS. The guest speakers, public servant executives recognized for their leadership in the promotion of French and English, will inspire you by discussing their leadership style with respect to official languages and how they help to foster workplaces that are bilingual, inclusive and diverse within the federal public service.
Registration deadline: March 3, 2021, 10:00 AM (EST)
Improve your cognitive function through a holistic health approach
English: March 18, 2021, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (EST)
French: March 18, 2021, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (EST)
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
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This workshop aims to shed light on the issues facing our time in the workplace and especially in teleworking. With health and nutrition playing an important role, it is beneficial to take an integrated and straightforward approach to solutions easily available to all and which are involved in reintroducing the required intellectual advantage in the face of both individual and organizational.
An Introduction to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
English: March 23, 2021, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (EST)
French: March 9, 2021, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (EST)
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
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This session will cover: the prevalence of mental health challenges; description and benefits of EAP; stress risk factors; who can access the EAP; how to access and use the EAP; and what happens during counseling sessions.
From Disability Management to Building Organizational and Individual Resiliency Pathways with Dr. Katy Kamkar (available in French)
Date: March 29, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (EST)
Language: French
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
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This session will cover the important aspects of building individual and organizational resiliency pathways, including mental health, mental health disabilities, prevention, continuum of care, work stress, common organizational stressors identified; common mental health problems and mostly risk factors related to moral distress, compassion fatigue and burnout; key elements as part of disability management; and establishing organizational and individual protective factors and resiliency pathways.
Registration deadline: March 24, 2021, 11:30 PM (EST)
Managing the Unmanageable: Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty with Dr. Georges Sabongui
Date: March 30, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (EST)
Language: English, with simultaneous French translation
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
-
This session will cover the important aspects of building individual and organizational resiliency pathways, including mental health, mental health disabilities, prevention, continuum of care, work stress, common organizational stressors identified; common mental health problems and mostly risk factors related to moral distress, compassion fatigue and burnout; key elements as part of disability management; and establishing organizational and individual protective factors and resiliency pathways.
Try this!
Throughout the Francophonie month of March, “Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie” has many events and activities in store for you! Check out their calendar of events, participate in one of their contests, or explore this year’s theme, “Acadia, at the heart of my country” as a way to celebrate the Francophonie and its culture, diversity and inclusiveness across Canada.
Sneak Peek
Your Connexion Corner theme for April is ESDC’s Mandatory Training.