By Ronald Quaroni

English opening doors

English classes preparing P.A. newcomers for employment

Feb 14, 2019 | 11:57 AM

Newcomers to Prince Albert seeking to improve their English language skills can do so with a new course.

The Prince Albert Multi-Cultural Council is offering English for Employment, a program with a special focus on preparing students as they enter the workforce.

Christian Fure, originally from the Congo, said he knew French when he first came to Canada. He spent two years earning his MBA in New Brunswick.

He said a move to P.A required him to improve his English.

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“When I came here to Prince Albert, it’s only in English. So I must improve my English for day-to-day conversation,” Fure said.

Fure is the Executive Director for the French Canadian Society in Prince Albert. He hopes to become fully bilingual and connect with more people in the community.

Youjin Lim, a fellow student, who hails from South Korea said she is very happy with the program.

“I love this program and this system,” Lim said. “I love our teacher Teresa. The teaching makes it very easy to learn.”

Teresa Kowalik is one of two teachers at the Multi-Cultural Council.

Acting Executive Director for the Multi-Cultural Council, Michelle Hassler explained the classes help explain unique challenges newcomers face.

“For me, it took me a while to get adapted to Canadian money. There are terms — loonies and toonies,” Hassler said. She added students will learn about more colloquialisms learned at work.

“For example: you’ll say banked hours or time in lieu,” she said.

Canadian history is also included Hassler said, with a particular focus on the country’s diversity and Indigenous culture.

The free program is open to all newcomers. Attendance is one of the main requirements to take the class. Students must not miss any classes.

For more information check out the Prince Albert Multi-Cultural Council’s Facebook page.

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ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni