Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT)

Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) are free communication skills courses for newcomers.

Participants will develop the language and communication skills needed to:

  • understand workplace culture in their occupation and sector
  • interact effectively with their colleagues, clients and supervisors
  • give and receive information by email and telephone
  • interview and network effectively

Conestoga College offers OSLT courses in the following areas:

  • Business
  • Health Sciences
  • Human Services
  • Technology

Admission requirements

Participants must be permanent residents or protected persons who live in Ontario and have:

  • training or experience in a specific occupation or sector, but need to improve their occupation-specific communication skills.
  • language proficiency of at least level 5 in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Some courses/modules require higher CLB levels.

Program classes

Please contact OSLT@conestogac.on.ca for more details.

Business: Accounting/Finance

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand business workplaces in Ontario
  • communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, financial officers and governmental offices
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Business: Entrepreneurship/Sales/Marketing

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand business workplaces in Ontario
  • interact effectively with customers, colleagues, employees, suppliers, financial officers and government officials
  • network and connect with local business associations, employers and employment resources
  • learn how to use your workplace communication training in a variety of business and workplace settings
Business: Communication Skills for Professional Managers

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand management within business and technology workplaces in Ontario
  • interact effectively with staff, colleagues, upper levels of management
  • network and connect with employers and employment resources
Healthcare

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand health care workplaces in Ontario such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes
  • interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients and supervisors
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Interprofessional Healthcare

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • provide and obtain information on the care of a client
  • describe your occupation to another professional
  • seek and provide assistance to team members
  • manage challenging team interactions
Technology

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand technology workplaces in Ontario
  • interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, supervisors and stakeholders and in project teams
  • develop strong interviewing, networking and career-building communication skills
Early Childhood Education Providers

This practical and innovative course will help you:   

  • understand human services workplaces in Ontario, including child-care centres and schools
  • interact clearly and effectively with colleagues, clients, supervisors, and the public
  • network and connect with local employers, agencies, and employment resources
  • learn how to use your workplace communication training in settings such as nursery schools, centre and home-based daycares, elementary schools, and high schools

Program locations

Classes are currently being held virtually. When in person, courses may be offered at any of the following locations:

Opportunities and pathways

Students who graduate from any Workplace Communication skills class will receive a certificate of completion and may be interested in moving directly into the workforce or pursuing the following programs:

Conestoga College OSLT is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.