Connexion Corner: ESDC's Monthly Learning Bulletin
September 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!
Second Official Language Learning
Lots of things make Canada’s public service unique. Diversity and inclusion are certainly two things that come to mind, and we can’t forget bilingualism. At ESDC, supporting and encouraging bilingualism has been part of our departmental culture for many years.
Whether you are looking to maintain your Second Official Language skills or wondering where to start with Second Official Language Learning, ESDC has learning opportunities for everyone, from self-paced to more formal options.
As we get ready to celebrate Linguistic Duality Day on September 9th, we have compiled an exciting list of learning offerings and resources for you to discover.
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!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30
In past editions of Connexion Corner, you will notice that the Spotlight On! section generally takes a closer look at the month’s theme. Given the recent and ongoing recoveries around former residential schools, and as we prepare to mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, we are moving in a different direction this month.
In preparation for this important day, let’s shine the spotlight on Indigenous Awareness Learning and what each of us can do to honour the legacy of residential schools. As public servants, this day is an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past and the present, and to solidify our commitment towards reconciliation.
Please join us for these upcoming activities:
- Reconciliation Circle: A discussion group co-facilitated by Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees. Various dates are available, in both English and French, throughout the month of September.
- Facing the truth: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Join us on September 28th at 10:30 am EST (French session) and 1:30 pm EST (English session) to learn about our role in educating ourselves and reminding others about the history of residential school and how we can navigate a path toward reconciliation.
- Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Join public servants from coast to coast on September 29th at 2:00 PM EST for a virtual event presented by the Canada School of Public Service.
If you can’t attend the live events, remember that many Indigenous Awareness Learning activities are available as part of ESDC’s Essential Training Curricula. Visit the Indigenous Awareness Learning page to see the suite of learning available.
Explore these online learning offerings at anytime
- GCWiki: Linguistic Duality Day
- Discover Acadia!
- Mauril App
- Infographic: Understanding Linguistic Insecurity
- Vocabulary Consolidation: Four Professional Communication Topics in French as a Second Language (E320)
- Vocabulary Consolidation: Four Professional Communication Topics in English as a Second Language (E321)
- How to Chair a Bilingual Meeting
- Vox Pop on the Culture of Bilingualism
- College@ESDC Language Learning iService
- GCWiki: Community of Official Languages
Do more learn more
Ask Coco!
Dear Coco,
I really want to improve my Second Official Language skills this year. Does ESDC have anything that can help? I heard about different types of offerings, but I don’t know where to go for more info.
- Looking beyond “Hello-Bonjour!”
Dear Looking,
Thank you for your excellent question! There are tons of internal and external resources available to help you!
Since Official Languages Learning is one of ESDC’s Learning Priorities, the department has options to meet everyone’s needs. These include both self-paced and formal learning options.
Self-Paced:
The first step to planning your self-paced learning journey is to download the Self-Study Learning Planning Workbook. This workbook was developed to help you organize your self-study, assess your progress and ensure your success.
The Course Finder is another tool that can help you discover offerings available to you.
Be sure to have a discussion with your manager and to include these opportunities in your learning plan before registering.
Formal Learning Options:
If you are interested in formal Second Official Language Learning options, please talk to your manager and/or your regional/branch learning coordinator to:
- discuss your specific learning needs;
- obtain information on the options available to you.
Regardless of what option you choose for your Second Official Language Learning, check out the Second Official Language Learning page on iService for all the info you need!
Linguistic Duality Quiz
English: September 9, 2021, various times
French: September 9, 2021, various times
Learning Priority: Official Languages
- Description:
-
To learn more about idioms, frenglish expressions and linguistic duality in Canada, employees are invited to participate in the Linguistic Duality Quiz. The event will be hosted by the Learning Services Delivery - Second Language Training team. Registration will be done through SABA. The quiz will be held at four different times during the day on September 9. To meet accessibility standards, the events will be held in one official language only (2 English events, 2 French events). Employees are welcome to participate in the event in the language of their choice.
Linguistic Duality: A Symbol of Inclusion at the Heart of Canadian Values
Date: September 9, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages. American Sign Language and langue des signes québécoise interpretation will be provided. Communication access real-time translation (CART) services will be provided.
Learning Priority: Official Languages
- Description:
-
The Council and the Canada School of Public Service are working with Canadian Heritage, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Translation Bureau and the Regional Federal Councils to organize a webcast event on the theme of linguistic duality and inclusion, on September 9, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET). The event will feature some great surprises! Don't miss this colourful event, which will bring together public service employees, community stakeholders, youth and artists, among others! Register now on the Canada School of Public Service website.
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day: Julie Kathleen Campbell - Creating hope through action: doing things differently to prevent suicide
English: September 9, 2021, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
French: September 10, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
Beyond identifying people who may be experiencing suicidal ideation, beyond crisis intervention or help-seeking, let's also explore everyday actions, attitudes and habits that will promote wellness and build resilience, which are the basic conditions for real suicide prevention.
Tackling Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
Date: September 10, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: Bilingual with simultaneous translation
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
On any given day, almost a dozen Canadians die by suicide. Of these, eight suicides are by men and boys, and over 4000 deaths are preventable each year. What can we do, as federal public servants, to help?
This event will feature an expert panel of speakers who will tackle the still all-too taboo topic of suicide and the critical role that we can all play in its prevention. Join us on World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2021) for this important global conversation where you will learn about:
- suicidal ideation, risks, and protective factors;
- the demographics most at-risk;
- the signs of someone who may be struggling with suicidal ideation;
- safely starting and sustaining the conversation about suicide;
- the role of a healthy workplace in suicide prevention; and
- available resources and support networks.
Kahontakwas Diane Longboat, CAMH Elder, Senior Manager Strategic Initiatives, Shkaabe Makwa - Traditional Indigenous Approaches to Mental Health and Well-Being
Date: September 14, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: English with simultaneous translation in French
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
The global pandemic carried by the smallest microbes brought the world to a standstill, and it is not over. What is your reaction and how are you evolving? What are the elements of Indigenous spiritual wisdom that can guide self-care? How can we evolve into natural Human Beings with a Good Mind, conscious of relationship to all Beings in creation, celebrating diversity, accepting the duty to protect the natural world and ultimately finding peace within?
Join us to share a framework that can be used to embody your culture and spiritual tradition to strengthen and heal the human being-mind, body, emotions and spirit.
An introduction to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
English: September 14, 2021, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
French: September 14, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
This session will cover the following topics:
- The prevalence of mental health problems;
- Description and benefits of EAP;
- Stress risk factors (why access the EAP?);
- Who can access the EAP (employee and immediate family members)?;
- How to access and use the EAP;
- What happens during counseling sessions.
Putting Accessibility Considerations First in Post-Pandemic Workplace Planning
Date: September 21, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Learning Priority: Intercultural Competence
- Description:
-
As the Government of Canada considers a gradual return to the workplace, departments are in the process of looking at options that will bring back some normalcy in operations while maintaining the flexibility to work remotely. While guidelines are under development, accessibility and disability inclusion need to be considered every step of the way.
Team check-in tool (employees)
English: September 21, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (EDT)
French: September 21, 2021, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
This facilitated workshop will allow participants to experience a team check-in exercise that explores each person’s current mental/emotional state in relation to their work. In an almost entirely virtual work environment, maintaining connection with staff (as a manager) or with colleagues (as a team member) is more important than ever. This tool is for all participants to be used individually (to pause and self-reflect) and at the beginning of team meetings.
IITB’s Mindfulness Moment
Date: Every Monday
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EDT)
Language: English
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
Join your colleagues across the country for a simple and relaxing guided mindfulness moment offered by IITB.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA- virtual)
English: September 22 and 23, 2021, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (EDT)
French: October 5 and 6, 2021, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and practice using MHFA actions to support that person and to maintain one’s own mental well-being.
Orientation to the Resilience Gym
Date: September 23, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (EDT)
Language: Bilingual
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
Over the past year, ESDC’s workforce has shown resilience as we have collectively adapted to our new and evolving environments. However, did you know that resilience can be strengthened intentionally? In fact, it is present in everyone, and with repeated practice, is a set of skills we can continue to develop as individuals, teams, and organizations. Come join us to explore the Resilience Gym on iService where you will find a suite of tools, videos, daily practices, and live sessions that will help build your resilience ‘muscles’. Choose where to focus from activities in six resilience circuits: self-awareness, optimism, mental agility, self-regulation, character strength, and connection.
Indigenous Awareness – Facing the truth: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – with T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin
Date: September 28, 2021
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Language: French only
Learning Priority: Indigenous Awareness
- Description:
-
Join T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin, Algonquin Elder and hereditary chief to learn about our role in educating ourselves and reminding others about the history of residential school and how we can navigate a path toward reconciliation.
Indigenous Awareness – Facing the truth: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – with Niigaan Sinclair
Date: September 28, 2021
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Language: English only
Learning Priority: Indigenous Awareness
- Description:
-
Join Niigaan Sinclair, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba, writer and media commentator on Indigenous issues to learn about our role in educating ourselves and reminding others about the history of residential school and how we can navigate a path toward reconciliation.
Wellbeing Check-in for Self and Team (Managers)
English: September 30, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT)
French: September 30, 2021, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
Learning Priority: Mental Health
- Description:
-
This facilitated, interactive workshop will teach participants to take the pulse of their current mental/emotional state in relation to their work using a simple infographic. Participants will then learn how to use the infographic to spark ‘real’ conversations and build trust among team members. In an almost entirely virtual work environment, maintaining connection with staff (as a manager) or with colleagues (as a team member) is more important than ever. Come ready to share and learn!
Try this!
If you are looking to put your language knowledge to the test, check out the many quizzes on the Language Portal of Canada. You will find quizzes on everything from grammar and syntax to spelling and vocabulary, available in both official languages. Does your team have a competitive streak? Challenge your co-workers to see who gets the most points!
While you are on the Language Portal, take a few minutes to explore the Language Navigator. This valuable resource will help you quickly find answers to questions about language and writing in both official languages.
Sneak Peek
Your Connexion Corner theme for October is “Healthy Workplace Month”.
- We are gearing up for Data Week and the ESDC Data Awards. To stay on top of all the activities, check out the ESDC Data Week website. To learn more about the Data Awards and details on the nomination process, the ESDC Data Awards website is the place to go. Hurry! Nominations close on September 17th.
- Pierre Durand - Mental health and wellbeing: burnout and resilience in a pandemic – October 6