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I struggled to find a job in Canada for more than six months. It turned out that in the marketing field, most employers are looking for professionals with Canadian experience. I did have extensive experience, but it was limited to my home country. I was applying for marketing jobs and trying to make connections but didn’t have any promising leads for a while when I heard about the ELT program from a friend.

I decided to give it a try since other ways of finding a job weren't working at that time. The program was very useful – I learned a lot about local culture and business communication, got a lot of insights into how employers think, talked to a lot of people who were in the same position as myself, and got a lot of support from Job Developers as well as program instructors.

At the end of the program, I was confident enough and prepared for any interviews I could face and had a chance for a 6-week work placement in a local agency. My work placement transformed into an actual contract, and now I’m a Senior Strategist at a creative agency in Toronto.

I highly recommend the ELT program to anyone struggling to find a job in their field, fearing that their language capabilities are not good enough and not feeling confident in the new market. If you invest your time and effort into the program, you will benefit from it and reach your goals.

Thank you again and all the best,

I would like to share a review about the ELT Accounting and Financial Services program. I really liked this program, as it is specialized for expats who are looking for work. First, instructors help with writing a resume that meets all Canadian standards and regulations. Secondly, special tasks in the form of writing a presentation and public speaking add self-confidence.

The ELT program involves studying all the recommended questions that will help you pass a successful interview in the future. After a trial interview, you become more aware and confident in your abilities.

It was interesting to work with the job developer (JD), it is a person who supports and guides during the entire program. I worked with Genevieve G. She is very attentive to detail and works responsibly, I really enjoyed working with her.

The most interesting thing for me was finding a place to volunteer. I successfully completed this task and signed a contract with a company where did my volunteer placement for 1.5 months.

I would like to recommend this program to everyone. Because you will not only learn more about the Canadian work environment, but you will also make new useful contacts.

I came to Canada more than one year ago, and I could not find any jobs. So, after seven months of being here, I went to the YMCA, and they recommended me to attend the ELT program. I chose office administration & customer relations (OACR) class to find a job in this area.

All eight weeks passed so fast. I found a good classmate, and we supported each other, sharing tips about job searching. It was excellent training to prepare for interviews. My teacher was Sohaila. She is a very positive person, and her energy and teaching method helped me improve myself. Also, my English level has become much better.

My job developer was Roxanne. She is very professional and really helped me find a job. She recommended me to an employer, and now I enjoy my job and the people I'm working with.

I know that if someone asks me about job searching and a program that can help people find a job, I will recommend the ELT program to everyone. It can truly help change your life and make a difference in Canada.

Thank you very much for this training, I really enjoyed being a part of it.

“As a newcomer to Canada in August 2022, I was overwhelmed by the new environment and culture of Canada and was wondering most of the time what the work culture be like in this beautiful and diverse nation. It took me a few months to navigate jobs online with my version of my resume. I was disappointed and wondered about not getting any interviews despite being qualified. I learned about the ELT program through a Facebook advertisement in January 2023 and a detailed information brochure about professional development for newcomers to Canada. This program truly guided me with the work culture of Canada, professional networking techniques, and the exact way to prepare a resume which truly was a simple yet phenomenal experience that to date is fetching me many interview calls.

The ELT program, in my experience, stands out as a beacon of support and empowerment for internationally trained professionals. Its holistic approach not only equips with the necessary skills but also fosters a supportive community that understands and addresses the unique challenges faced by newcomers to the workforce.

My time in the ELT classroom was enriching. The interactive and collaborative learning environment, coupled with the guidance of skilled instructors, created a space where diverse perspectives were valued, and knowledge exchange was encouraged. Working with the Job Developer was a pivotal aspect of my ELT journey. Their insights, guidance, and personalized support were instrumental in navigating the intricacies of the Canadian job market, ensuring a smoother transition into a new professional landscape.

ELT has been a bridge, connecting the aspirations of internationally trained professionals with the realities of the Canadian job market. The program's targeted resources, industry insights, and networking opportunities played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges unique to my international background. The valuable lesson among many that I took away from the ELT program is the power of community and collaboration. The program provided me with skills and instilled a sense of belonging within a supportive network that continues to be a source of inspiration.

I wholeheartedly recommend the ELT program to others seeking a comprehensive and supportive pathway to integrate into the Canadian workforce. Its impact is transformative, both professionally and personally.

I am truly grateful to ELT for helping me with the volunteer job placement which after 2 months of volunteering is now a paid job at a reputable and well-recognised organisation in Toronto.”

I learned about the ELT program while taking an ESL class and decided to participate the moment I saw the poster. The ELT program was fun and informative for me. I enjoyed interacting with my classmates and it helped me understand the real situations and feelings of many people and broadened my perspective.

Through my class teacher Sohaila, I got positive energy and mind. Above all, she tried to boost our confidence, which in turn changed our perspective and gave us the strength to try the challenges that we were currently facing. I will always cherish her motto, and I realize it will be important for the future of life.

And Roxanne, who was my JD, was also extremely helpful to me. She has been a bridge to my current job, for which I am incredibly grateful. She was exceedingly kind and helpful in answering my questions.

I would like to recommend the ELT program to anyone who has been in the same situation as me in the future. I would like to tell them not to be afraid to join this program. Once you enter this place, you will receive positive energy which is especially important to live as an immigrant in Canada. And you will learn how to strategically write your resume.

I am grateful for all the past that I have experienced.

Thank you so much.

Everything was new when I moved to Canada. New country, new people, new culture, and new life. It was so new to me, and that was why I lost my self-confidence. I didn’t have enough information about so many things and above all, the job market and culture. After two months of looking for a job, I was completely confused and somehow desperate. I knew that something is wrong with my efforts, but I could not find out what it exactly is.

One day, while talking to my friend, I shared my problems with finding a job. He recommended participating in Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program. At first, I thought that might be related to boosting language abilities only, which was not my main problem, but when I saw the ELT website, it seemed that it is what I have been looking for. They exactly offer what most newcomers need to know to get into the job market and be able to recover their self-confidence, which is a must for finding a job in the competitive market of their career.

When the class calendar was shared, I became fully curious about it. The steps outlined in it were exactly what I didn’t know. When the class started, I found out that I am not alone, there were other newcomers who faced the same problems. Our teacher exactly knew our weaknesses and concerns. She was really calm and kind, and she tried to answer all of our questions and address all of our ambiguities. That was where I could start recovering my self-confidence, solve my problems and correct my mistakes in the way I corresponded with employers and presented myself. Besides our teacher, we were guided by a sector specialist instructor who provided us with the most recent updates about the engineering job market, concerns, and fashionable ideas.

One thing that I did not know before joining the program was that a Job developer was going to help me. I discovered many things to be learned at my first one on one meeting with them. I understood that my resume needs changes and I need to prepare an introduction based on the role that I want to apply for. However, that was not all. During the sessions with job developers in class, many helpful points were discussed and gaps between our previous professional skills and the way we have to present them here were identified and addressed.

During the program, I found out that the reason why newcomers, including me, lose their self-confidence is not lack of work experience, it is indeed the lack of knowledge about the ways we need to present our knowledge and experience and communicate with our potential employer. This is what I took from the ELT program which had, have, and will have a great impact on my career. I really recommend ELT to those who just moved to Canada and are frustrated about their abilities and competencies. This is the place you can find your way and recover your self-confidence.

I want to share my experience with the ELT program for health and wellness professionals. I heard about this training program at YMCA, and I thought, why not try it, to become more professional, learn English, and get information about the job market in Canada? I didn’t know anything about this program and what to expect, but when the class started, I was pleased by how well-organized and structured the program was.

Working in class was unusual for me because everybody was from different countries and have different experiences, but it was very interesting to be in a multicultural group where you can learn and find new information and friends. Working with JD was important and useful because I had a person with whom I can consult about what to do, where I would like to work, and how to make my next steps.

As a result of this program, it helped me to make the right choices and to receive a posi-tion in a wellness organization as a mental health consultant.

Also, ELT helped me to speak my English better, express my thoughts, to be more confi-dent about the language, helped me to write a professional resume, and cover letter, un-derstand how to find a job in Canada, understand more about Canadian life, diversity, some rules, and new information.

Due to this program, I understand that you shouldn’t be afraid of new things in your life, because new things can become your great achievements! I already recommend my friends to the ELT program. For me, it was the right choice to start my career in Canada.

In 2019, I arrived in Canada as an international student and became a permanent resident in late 2021. Like many newcomers, I faced the challenge of sending numerous resumes and applications through job boards without receiving any responses, which was quite frustrating. However, my perspective changed when I discovered the ELT program through social media and decided to give it a try. This program turned out to be a fantastic experience for me. Not only did it provide me with valuable knowledge and skills for employment, but it also presented me with a wonderful volunteer placement opportunity.

Through the ELT program and with the guidance of my Job Developer, Roxanne, I learned that 80% of jobs are obtained through referrals. As new immigrants, it can be difficult for us to break through the barriers and obtain referrals. This is where volunteering can be highly effective. During my volunteer placement, I had the opportunity to showcase my work skills and personal qualities. By excelling in my role and demonstrating my capabilities, I left a lasting impression on employers. Once you are in an office environment, it's important to engage with others and let them know who you are. This way, if another department is hiring, you might be considered for the position.

I am truly grateful for the consistent support I received from my Job Developer, Roxanne. Even after completing the program several months ago, she has continued to reach out to me, checking on my progress, and keeping me informed about job postings that she believes would be a good fit for me. Her dedication and ongoing assistance have been invaluable in my job search journey.

I arrived in Canada in 2019 and became a permanent resident in late 2020. Soon, I started to apply for jobs and started to get worried because I couldn't get a job. I learned about the ELT program through the YMCA. What attracted me best in this program was the 6-week job placement opportunity.

I am thankful to my ELT instructor Susan and my Job Developer Roxanne. I had the best experience in the class. They gave me honest feedback on how I can improve my English grammar and speech, other than that improved my confidence level, shyness to speak to others, presentation skills, and my writing email style as well. And improve my interview skills and develop my resume for the Canadian market.

In this program, you get your own job developer to support you along the way to finding a job. My job developer Roxanne has worked actively to contact the employers one by one and found me an opportunity to work with a well-known organization. After volunteering in the company for 6 weeks, I gained lots of relevant experience and received a full-time position offer from this organization.

I highly recommend it to newly immigrated professionals and every individual who is finding difficulties landing a job and the business English language. Trust and follow the process, and you won’t regret taking this program, it is really helpful for your future.

When I moved to Canada, I was looking for a professional English course to improve my confidence during a conversation. I heard about the ELT program from the YMCA.

The program started with a professional team, and I found out that in this class there were a lot of experienced students in their field. The course is well organized and focused on details. The team is interested in getting actual results.

There are three basic things I got from the ELT team:

Firstly, I improved my English speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Before the class, my basic level was 6. After eight weeks in every aspect, I improved and scored higher on the exit tests.

Second, I learned how to access the hidden job marketing system of Canada, how to make job searches, and find contacts in my field.

Third, I had a mock interview with my Job Developer- Roxanne. It was a great opportunity because I learned how to prepare for a job interview and answer questions. After this experience, I had my first interview in English with an International Organization, and they hired me.

I got the maximum: confidence, courage, improved communication skills, etc.

That's why I am always saying: I highly recommend this program! You should try.

Thank you so much!

I heard about ELT from TNG and the YMCA.

ELT program is a source that helps someone to gain their confidence back. It helps you understand the Canadian market in depth and trains you to achieve the best job opportunities in the market. ELT has personally given me a vision to understand the IT market and the concise way to move forward to gain a better opportunity.

I had the best experience in the class as the instructors and job developers personally pay attention to the things that you need to improve to survive in the Canadian market. They give every individual the opportunity to represent themselves and give honest feedback to improve in speech. Other than that, they give you the details of how to write emails, talk on phone calls, and every small detail for a conversation.

My experience was great with the job developers as they helped me gain the knowledge of how to answer the interview question, and how to build the confidence to answer the trickiest question.

They help you improve English, structure your vocabulary as well as you’re writing. They help you improve your presentation skills as well by creating the situations, and how to respond to real-life examples.

My take away are the 6 C's. Those are Concise, confident, clear, courteous, correct and coherent. These 6 professional skills have helped me a lot throughout to land a job very easily.

In my opinion I would recommend every newcomer and every individual who is finding difficulties to land a job. This will change your career for good and I would love to recommend it to my friends and family as well.

At last, I would just say that specifically Susan, Roxanne and Genevieve were very helpful to everyone. They guided them individually and are great mentors as well.

I came across the ELT program by TDSB when I was searching some employment program for new immigrants. What attracted me best in this program was the 6-week job placement component

I have been really impressed by how well the program is planned from the very beginning to the end of class participation, resume workshop, mock interviews, and volunteer experience. Each of the above mentioned component has contributed to improving my prospect of getting the first job in my desired industry. I particularly appreciate the industry specific classes, which was greatly helpful to familiarising you with the regulations and required qualifications

In this program, you get your own job developer to support you along the way for finding a job. My job developer Roxanne has worked actively to contact the employers one by one, and found me an opportunity to work with a well-known organisation in the engineering consulting field. After volunteering in the company for 6 weeks, I have gained lots of relevant experiences, and received a full-time position offer from this organisation

My experience is a clear demonstration of the worthwhileness of this program. I highly recommend it to the new immigrated professionals. Trust and follow the process, and you won’t regret for taking this program.

I came to know about ELT program offered by TDSB through an advertisement on TTC. With the help from YMCA, I completed my CLB assessment and immediately reached out to ELT program email address. Bhim promptly replied and I was enrolled in ELT program right away.

ELT program is fruitful for newcomers who want to continue their professional journey within their field. Everyday classes ranging from assignments, daily news sharing, resume-cover letter preparation to weekly insights from our sector specific instructor helped to understand work culture as well as financial landscape of Canada.

I am thankful to my ELT instructor Ms. Sohaila and Sector Specific Instructor Mr. Bruce. They have many decades of expertise, and their valuable insights gave an edge to my speaking skills, boosted self-confidence, and eliminated weaker areas of my resume writing and interview skills.

My job developer Ms. Jennifer guided me on finding target recruiters, and weekly sessions with my job developer led to receiving successful responses from one of the employers. Previously I never knew I can use Scott’s directory by Toronto Public Library for my job search. I am really glad that Sohaila, Jennifer and Laurie shed some light in those aspects.

In my experience, you may consider ELT program offered by TDSB as a free LinkedIn premium version. TDSB is offering us all professional development skills for free! No other country on this globe has such government funded program for skilled professionals. I am fortunate that ELT program focused on rectifying my mistakes while applying to various jobs and interviews. Because this helped me to tackle one of the final interviews with the reputed company and now, I am hired! ELT has improved my networking and social skills.

Whenever I meet any newcomer with a good skillset and education, I talk about this program and highly recommend they commit to ELT program and get the desired employment.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my instructors Chunxia (Laurie) Zhang, Sohaila Mir, and Shefali Patel for this incredible experience in ELT Class - Accounting & Financial Services.

This course was life-changing for me! First and foremost, I got my first job in my specialty in Canada thanks to my Job Developer Laurie who recommended me to the employer.

During this course, I got essential knowledge about the employment process in Canada, I have learned how to write a successful resume and how to prepare for a job interview. I used this information while applying for the job. I also want to highlight the friendly and professional atmosphere during our learning process.

Thank you, a lot, for this course, I really enjoyed being a part of it!

I learned the ELT program from a web search. It was described not only as a language program but also as a bridge for newcomers’ professional backgrounds with new careers in Toronto. With my social work background, I was successfully admitted to the ELT program for Health and Wellness.

During the 8-week full-time training, I got real Canadian experience. I met classmates from diverse backgrounds. We were all goal driven and studied hard. Course instructors and job developers were knowledgeable and helpful. I enjoyed the good vibes in class and learned a lot like writing Canadian-style resume, job search, preparing for interview questions, recent development in the sector, work culture, and making professional connections. In addition, I appreciated the first-aid training included. There were numerous class activities and practices. The training was effective and relevant to my needs.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Kurt, Dr. Matthew Missiha, and Laurie. They were my course instructors and job developer who walked me through the learning journey. Thank you so much.

Having finished the ELT program, I got the faith to proceed with my job search. I have applied all that I learned to secure my first professional job in Toronto. Thank you, ELT program.

I recommend the ELT program!

I had the opportunity to take the ELT program two months ago.

I really would like to recommend the ELT program (enhanced language training program) because this provides language training that helps you find and keep jobs that match your skills and qualifications. ELT program helped me to have bridge-to-work assistance, including mentorship, work placements, and other employment training related to resumes, cover letters, interview questions, dress code, and verbal and nonverbal communication skills. I really enjoyed this helpful program and I’m so happy because I started a paid placement with one of the top Canadian financial institutions in the tax and financial reporting role. I hope to be hired at the end of this work placement term.

I appreciate all people from the ELT program for supporting and helping to start this Canadian experience.

I’m grateful to Laurie who encouraged me during the interview process. She gave me some advice that really helped me to succeed in all of them.

If you are a newcomer looking for a job this is a big opportunity to enhance your English skills to start your Canadian work experience.

I arrived in Toronto in June 2022 from India with a professional experience of 7+ years in accounting and finance. I was fortunate enough to have heard about the ELT program from my acquaintance who had attended it. I emailed the program to enquire about it and received a quick response from Shalom. I had the impression that it was just an orientation for new immigrants. It was offered online, which was convenient for me. At the orientation, there was an introduction with all the participants and ELT staff. I was able to borrow a laptop free of charge for the duration of the training. The classes began with our instructor Kurt, who was kind and welcoming to everyone. We were all new and qualified immigrants from different parts of the world, looking for a start.

Ivetta was my JD, during the first session she gave me a positive perspective on how I could start a career in Canada. The program was a perfect combination of Canadian work culture and sector specific training. Kurt taught effective ways of improving business English. Shefali, CPA by profession, helped bridge the professional gaps by teaching me the tax system as well as the accounting software used in Canada. I was able to add all of this to my resume. Ivetta helped us with the important and crucial skills such as interview preparation, professional conduct and resume building among others. I applied to the jobs I researched with a modified resume. Thanks to my JD, I appeared in my interviews with more confidence in my skills.

It was great to meet people from various countries, learn to adjust and grow in a new place, improve language skills and succeed. I was offered two jobs towards the end of the program; I am now working as a Financial Analyst in a big firm in Toronto.

I am grateful for this experience, and strongly recommend this program. It makes you confident, helps bridge the industry professional gaps and makes you feel welcome in the new country. I am forever indebted to their guidance that helped me get the start I wished for.

I am Tetiana, and I would like to share the story of my first job experience in Toronto.

I arrived in Canada from Ukraine in May 2022, driven by the unfortunate outbreak of war in my home country. Prior to the war, I had been working as an HR manager, but I had recently completed full-stack developer courses and desired a career switch. After a decade of working with people, I felt burnt out and sought a profession where I could see tangible results, which led me to join web development courses. However, due to the circumstances at home, I couldn't embark on my new career path.

Making a difficult decision, I left everything behind and started fresh in Canada – a new continent, a new country, and a new field of work. After successfully passing my English exam at YMCA in Toronto, I had the opportunity to participate in the ELT program with TDSB, which not only enhanced my English skills but also taught me essential skills such as creating resumes and cover letters, self-analysis, recognizing my professional strengths and weaknesses, understanding the interview process, and becoming acquainted with Canadian corporate culture. This knowledge proved crucial in securing my first job.

Upon completing the ELT program, I attended interviews with two different companies. Fortunately, I was offered a placement at Myant Inc., which served as a stepping stone toward realizing my dream of working in software development. I joined the validation and verification team, where my main responsibilities involved testing the final product against the specified requirements.

During my placement, I eagerly embraced every opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Working closely with experienced software testers, I absorbed their knowledge and gained hands-on experience in various testing methodologies, tools, and frameworks. My background in HR provided me with a unique perspective in understanding user requirements and ensuring software quality. Moreover, my passion for front-end development played a significant role in my success as a software tester. Having a strong understanding of web technologies and user interface design principles allowed me to effectively identify and report bugs, ensuring the software met the desired standards of functionality and user experience.

Through perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to continuous learning, I excelled during my placement, which ultimately led to a full-time position as a software tester. In my current role, I am responsible for testing software products, analyzing requirements, creating test cases, executing test plans, and providing valuable feedback to the development team. I constantly strive to improve my skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and practices in software testing to deliver high-quality products.

Reflecting on my journey, I take pride in the progress I have made. Transitioning from an HR professional to a software tester has brought about significant personal and professional growth beyond my initial expectations. My determination, adaptability, and willingness to seize opportunities have been the driving forces behind my success. Although the war disrupted my life in Ukraine, it also pushed me to explore new avenues and embark on a rewarding career in the tech industry.

I am grateful for the support and opportunities I have received from TBSD (Thomas Brown and Jennifer Kolins), and I am excited to continue my journey in software testing, contributing to the development of innovative and impactful software solutions.

I arrived in Canada in 2020 and became a permanent resident in late 2021. Soon, I started to apply for jobs and started to get worried because I couldn't get a job. I learned about the ELT program through the YMCA. At first, I thought the classes were only focused on business English, not realizing that it could help me prepare for a job interview.

As the program started, I really enjoyed it. In addition to the excellent business English class, I had excellent sessions with my Job Developer. All the preparation and schedule of the program are taught for the development of the student. With the dynamics of the program, the instructor and job developer help students to be more confident and find their qualities.

The experience in class was essential for me to improve my English. Barbara is an amazing instructor. She has the knowledge of business English and knows how to teach, keeping the student attentive. The dynamics of the classes and presentations made by the students at the end of the course are of great value for us to feel more confident about the English language.

My job developer, Genevieve, certainly knows how to help students with their resumes. In addition, she was essential for me to learn about how to answer the questions in an interview and how to conduct myself. The preparation in the mock interview helped me to assertively answer the questions asked in the real interviews. Even if asked in another way, the questions are compatible with what companies ask.

In general, the course helped me to understand the Canadian culture and environment in a workplace. It taught us the importance of LinkedIn and how to network.

Towards the end of the 8 weeks, I was already participating in a hiring process and got the job. Certainly, the program was essential in finding my qualities as a professional and learning how to demonstrate them confidently throughout the interview process. I highly recommend ELT for newcomers who are looking for their first job in Canada.

I heard about the ELT program from my ESL teacher. Her students found jobs after taking this program.

The ELT class was designed for all English level newcomers to improve their English communication skills, including listening, writing, speaking, and reading. I improved my English skill and grew professionally. I gained professional knowledge about sales and marketing as well as Canadian culture through the ELT class. In addition, I learned about Canadian employees' rights, which prevented illegal workplace requests.

A special thanks goes out to Genevieve, who helped and supported me throughout my entire ELT program. Through the mock interview, I became aware of my interview weaknesses, which helped me during the actual interview. Additionally, she provided me with job search and job-seeking advice.

I am grateful to this ELT program, and I treasure every single opportunity with humility, and I will always be.

It is highly recommended that newcomers register for this program. The experience will help you start your new life in Canada off on the right foot.

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success” – Alexander Graham Bell.

‘Enhanced language training’ is the place where they prepare newcomers like me to succeed in Canada. They not only taught me about the Canadian Culture, but also introduced me to the job industry, which is difficult to get into.

Susan, our class instructor, is one of the finest teachers. She was the first person who made me realize that the problem was with my tone and not with my English. Her lectures gave me the vast material to communicate with other people which elevated my confidence immensely. The concept of ‘ICE’ and ‘safe zone’ always makes me comfortable during the interviews.

Genevieve, the job developer, is by far the best person, I met in Canada. She is highly skilled, experienced, and expert in her field. She is straightforward and gives honest advice. It is easy to follow her instructions and improve upon all the shortcomings.  With her resume templates, mock interviews, and strategies to find jobs, I had the job offer on my hand before the end of the program.

It is certainly the most useful course for newcomers like me and I recommend this course to every person I meet.

I first heard about the TDSB, ELT program through a friend who found the job through this program. She suggested that the classes are a great opportunity to further my language skills.

The ELT program is an amazing training program that not only helps newcomers to advance their language skills, but more importantly help them become familiar and accustomed to the Canadian working culture. This program taught me the principles that Canadians value and facilitated my development of an accurate understanding of how to navigate my way in any Canadian work environment.

During the program, my Job Developer was the best support, and she gave me all the tips for the interview. I learned how to prepare for a job interview that eventually helped me to find a job in my own field. Other than that, I was able to work with my connections in LinkedIn and how to make a cold call which was hard for me before this program.

On this occasion, I would like to recommend to any newcomer professional looking for a job in Canada to sign up for this program.

Success is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.

I immigrated to Canada 2 years ago to fulfill the hopes and dreams of my life. It was difficult to leave a place where I lived my whole life. However, I was ready to take on the challenges of a new country, to adopt the new culture and to make Canada my new home. 

Being new in the country, I started exploring and trying to find a job of my liking on my own and failed.  One of my friends, who is now very well placed through ELT program introduced me to this program.  Joining this program is one of the best and right decisions I made.

The 8 weeks ELT course taught me very useful things such as Canadian workplace culture, interview process, resume writing and many skills which were helpful to me.

My Job Developer, Genevieve Graham, was very helpful to me.  She helped me to regain my confidence and not lose hope.  I was motivated to work hard to achieve my goals.  Immediately after the course, I was placed in one of Canada’s highly reputed banks as Customer Experience Associate.  This wouldn’t be possible without the assistance and guidance of my Job Developer.

My sincere thanks to the entire ELT team who helped me throughout the journey and for finding a job that I love.  I will always remain grateful to the ELT program for helping me move in the right direction and slowly start building my career in a meaningful way.

I highly recommend this program to any newcomer who is trying to settle.  Initially, I had no one to guide me in the right direction. I lost valuable 2 years trying to find something.  Definitely there shouldn’t be a second thought to join this program as it would guide everyone  in the right direction to succeed.

I moved to Canada in 2020, I had to take care of my son for two years. Because of Covid, it was hard to find a daycare. When I finally got a spot in the day care, I started looking for a job, but I didn’t know how or where to start without any Canadian experience. I had no idea about the interview process which is completely different from my home country.

A friend of mine who joined the program and got a work placement through ELT, advised me to join ELT. I decided to attend the program (Office Administration & Customer Relations) to learn how to apply for a job in Canada and to learn about the interview process.

I learned more than I expected about different topics, such as the Canadian workplace culture, how to write a Canadian resume, cover letter, and social networking. The best part of all, that really helped me was the training we got to master the interview questions and how to conduct as a professional during the interview.

Before I joined the program, I didn’t know that I had to prepare and practice for any interview. Both my instructor and job developer helped me understand the interview process and prepare for how to answer to any question from the hiring manager.

This was done during several activities with the instructor where we learned how to introduce ourselves and answer questions during an interview. It was sort of a rehearsal before the mock interviews. The mock interview was very interesting. I consider it as my first Canadian interview and took it very seriously. I prepared myself as it was a real job interview. It was better than a real interview because of the feedback that I got from my job developer. I learned about what I did good and what I needed to improve.

My job developer was a great value to my journey looking for a job, without her advice and help with my resume, I wouldn’t be able to get any interview. I got two placement interviews and a job interview with a reputable company. She supported me every step of the way during my interviews.

The possibility to do more than one interview helped me to succeed during the last interview and secure a job offer. This couldn’t be possible without the assistance and guidance that I received from Jennifer (my job developer).

For me personally, ELT program is a way beyond improving business English skills and introducing Canadian workplace culture. After attending this program, I feel empowered and confident to work and contribute to the Canadian society.

I would strongly recommend ELT Program to any newcomer as a shortcut to get a descent job.

As you might know, the medical field is the most regulated in Canada. I came to Canada as a Medical Doctor and ENT specialist not knowing how to continue the work I love. Learning English course after course, I could not find a way to get closer to my field.

While looking for new English courses, I came across the ELT program from TDSB. I applied for this course, and it was my best decision by far. The ELT program became a starting point to achieve my goals.

This program is unique in its opportunities for newcomers. During the 8 weeks, in addition to the professional language, I also learned about the Canadian work environment. The instructors helped to set goals and develop a strong strategy to achieve my dreams. The information which you get during this course reflects instructors’ years of experience and depth of knowledge. My course instructor, Sohaila gave me confidence and the belief that I can achieve all the goals that I set for myself. During the course, I learned how to write a professional resume, job interview tips, and networking skills. Thanks to the teamwork of my instructor Sohaila, sector-specific instructor Dr. Matthew and job developer Laurie, I was able to prepare in the best possible way for my future interviews. At the end of the eight weeks, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a Hearing Clinic, which gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Canadian work environment.

The ELT program helped me to land my first job in Canada, 3 months after finishing the course. Currently, I am working as a Hearing Care Counsellor-Ethno-specific with Canadian Hearing Services. Besides this, I am working on evaluating my MD credentials and preparing for the medical exam.

I would highly recommend this course to every newcomer who wants to succeed professionally in Canada! 

In the ELT training, I acquired advanced English language training and business terminology. In fact, I learned more than just language skills, such as corporate culture, general manners, and job-seeker attitudes. I believe that this program develops skills that are difficult for immigrants to learn on their own but are essential in Canadian society. Before the first week of training was over, I realized that this course was exactly what I needed.

I improved my competitiveness as a job seeker by learning more professional resume development and interviewing skills. I have had the opportunity to practice realistic interviews and participated in self-evaluation. Job-seeking immigrants in the IT field do not have many opportunities to talk about their professional experiences or skills in English in their daily life, so this training was a decisive help in preparing me for the interview.

After 6 weeks of work placement, I finally got a full-time job at a company that perfectly fits my career and vision. I would like to express my thanks once again to Barbara for constantly helping us train and Jennifer for introducing me to her network and wonderful opportunities for work placement.

I have already recommended this program to a friend of mine in the immigration process and would like to introduce it to others in the future. I am very positive about this program overall and look forward to the continued expansion of this institution.

I first heard about the ELT program through a friend who was at the time doing his post-doc fellowship at McMaster. He suggested that the classes are a great opportunity to further my language skills.

The ELT program was an amazing program that not only helps newcomers to advance their language skills, but more importantly help them become familiar and accustomed to the Canadian working culture. This program taught me the principles that Canadians value and facilitated my development of an accurate understanding of how to navigate my way in any Canadian system.

The classes were such rewarding and joyful experience for me that I did not even miss one! The classes gave us, the students, the opportunity to focus on what we needed most in terms of adapting to the Canadian working environment. One of the most crucial aspects of being able to promote yourself in Canada is self-confidence and self-courage which I frequently see lacking among the immigrants. Personally, this class had a huge impact on these aspects of me, both in terms of my self confidence in my language abilities and interpersonal skills. Finally, an absolute highlight of these classes was finding many friends that many of whom I consider close now even after few years.

After immigration, I found myself outside of my comfort zone. The new challenges I had never faced before could have easily thrown me off my course if it was not for the JDs and the instructor. After the immigration, I feel that everyone needs experienced companions that can help you gather your strength not to give in to fear, someone who trusts you and remind you of the bigger picture. For me, this person was my JD.

As I mentioned before, there are many nuances to the Canadian working culture. In the beginning, these nuances and difference between my culture and the culture here were intimidating and impossible to navigate. However, people in this program helped me find my way to acknowledging and adapting to these cultural contrasts. After a while, I gained the confidence to take on understanding and remedying these differences alone. I consider the insight I developed during the course is one of my most valuable assets in future success.

I learned that I should work hard to achieve my goals. I learned that even though it might take a while to get back to where I was standing before immigration, with confidence in myself and hard work anything is possible in Canada. I am currently doing my PhD at HEI department at McMaster. I am also in the process of applying for the only clinical residency position available to the international medical graduates.

I would absolutely refer anyone to ELT. In fact, I have referred my own mother to the program, and we are all extremely happy with the results. I wish all the staff and students best of luck.

All stories of success have a start and a long path of struggles and hard work to finalize as such. 

Me too, like many newcomers, I was wondering how to be successful in a new world and represent my self properly in the workplace. These questions began to confuse me every time I made research through internet to find a guide that would help me. 

Then, one of my friends living in Canada for a long time suggested to enroll and participate in the ELT Program, the proper one in which I would find the support I needed. I immediately started the process of enrollment. It was a smooth one, and the staff of ELT was very helpful during this step.

After I got enrolled, I was very excited how this course would be. At the beginning I thought that it would take too long, but as the days passed, I had a continuous feeling of being involved more and more in its content. 

Every day was so busy in preparing our projects, discussing, and sharing our thoughts on specific topics. At this point, I got my self-confidence and even more, new friends from all around the world. All professionals who shared the same purpose: Learn, don’t give up, Succeed.

Another part of the course, a very important one, was how to prepare successful resumes, cover letter, business letter, how to write effective emails and how to be prepared for an interview, tips that I didn’t know before. Our instructor Nelson, with the positivity and kindness that characterized him, taught us everything we needed to know how to emphasize our transferable skills and how to be more representative during an interview.

Next, our job developer, Ivetta, helped us organizing and giving instructions during our mock interviews, creating first a warm atmosphere to make us feel more comfortable, and then giving us advice how to perform better.

Finally, I have to say that this program has been an excellent experience for me, and with the help of all the ELT  program staff, which had a great willingness to help us to succeed, I can say that I am on the right path.

I will very recommend this program to all newcomers, to be on the right path, with the proper support.

If you decide to change everything in your life and move to another country by yourself, how will you figure out the correct ways in your life?           

I was always thinking about it before moving to Toronto. After I moved, I tried to handle it by myself, and it was so hard to find the correct ways to move on in my career. I completed the postgraduate program, but it was not enough to get an interview after the Covid-19 situation. Everything became more challenging and getting any offer seemed impossible to me. Then my friends encouraged me to join the TDSB ELT program from an employment training agency to get help with English and to find the right ways in job search.

To be honest with you, I thought that it will be the same as other programs, but it surprised me. After 8 weeks of class, you have a chance of getting a 6-week voluntary placement, which is rare to find in other programs. The instructors are one of the finest teachers I have ever met. They helped me to improve my academic English in my professional life. Also, they explained the Canadian culture very effectively and helped develop my soft, interview and presentation skills which were an asset to my new job.

Throughout the ELT program, my job developer Paulina Paredes extended great support to modify and develop my resume and help improve my job searching skills. She also gave me some tips when I attended job interviews. I very much appreciate her support during this challenging time. I always thanked her so much for being there for me. It means more than I can say. It was a long journey to achieve my goals but, her advice was very helpful and gave me a new perspective on my career journey. When I was preparing for an interview, I remember our conversation about not fearing challenges or obstacles and viewing it with a positive lens. "Don't think every challenge is harmful, if you look at your challenge with a positive lens, you will start to view it differently when you face them. Because every challenge is a new experience to improve ourselves in life”.

The perfect gift for them is to let them know when you get a new offer and hired. You will hundred percent feel how they will share your happiness like your family. I'm so happy to feel that.

Thank you all for taking the time to assist me. I sincerely appreciate the time you all spent reviewing my career goals and recommending strategies for achieving them.

Please don't hesitate to step on your goals with them asap!

After a long period of trying to find a job in Canada without success I signed up for the ELT program.

During the program, I learned how to prepare for a job interview that eventually helped me to find a job in my own field. Other than that, I was able to improve my English skills.

The program was very interesting and in addition to the English lessons, I also participated in lectures that gave me extensive knowledge in various fields. I also learned new topics in the financial field and a deeper acquaintance with the Canadian market.

My favorite part of the program is that I had to present a presentation, something I had no experience with before.

On this occasion I would like to recommend to anyone looking for a job in Canada to sign up for the program.

I used to struggle with my business English skills as well as looking for a job in Canada even though I had experience in my IT field. As my friend’s recommendation, I participated in the ELT program at TDSB. It has been the best decision I have made since I came to Canada.

I had the classes with my dear instructor - Sohaila. She not only taught me business English skills such as: writing the formal letter, making the proposal and how to communicate politely to my boss but also encouraged me to always be confident in myself with a positive attitude. I also learnt from my JD Jennifer how to write an attractive Resume and customize it to match the job posting.

I finished the course with the support of all staff in the ELT program. I am now more confident in my English with 2 levels up. I got my job offer when I was doing my work placement. I am so happy and grateful for that.

Thank you, Canada, ELT, and ELT’s staff.

Thanks to your instructions, my dream now comes true! I would recommend ELT to all the people I know so they too will succeed like me.

Before moving to Canada, I had a few questions I kept asking myself like, how am I going to continue my career? where should I start? I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get a job that is aligned with what I was practicing or even related to what I studied in my home country. I didn’t want to end up to that stereotype of international professionals being underemployed in a new country.

Fortunately, my mother told me about how the Canadian government helps newcomers land a job through ELT program which was offered to me after completing the Canadian language benchmark assessment. I came to the country in the middle of the pandemic and we were all living with uncertainty and stress. The ELT program was transformed to offer remote learning. However, the instructors and job developers have maintained the interactive and personally engaging developmental experience. Appropriate supports are given to help in building the confidence, discipline, and social-emotional skills needed to bridge international professionals to Canadian job/business environment. It is also a great opportunity to meet multi-cultured people with extensive professional backgrounds and experiences who can be your references in the future.

Employment programs like ELT provide not just soft skills enhancement and job placement opportunities but also mentoring and real-life skills. If you are a newcomer and in need of a preparation for immediate entry into workforce or a chance to get and eventually keep a job, then this program is a great stepping stone!

I enrolled in the ELT program one month after my arrival in Canada, Ontario. I heard about the program after completing my English assessment test with the YMCA of Greater Toronto online. I remember being very impressed by the description of the course option because I realised that the program would help me to prepare for my job search. My thoughts were confirmed at my first class with the ELT ENG 232 session.

The ELT program gave me the opportunity to understand the Canadian job market. I had an amazing instructor Susan and I still use the tips and tricks she shared with us. I also learned a lot with my JD Roxanne and my sector specific instructor Rakesh. They all trained me to have a good understanding of job descriptions and prepare for interviews. I really appreciated how demanding the program was. It kept me busy while doing my class projects and job search. I will always be grateful for showing me the way through the Canadian job market. It also strengthened my confidence in my professional background as an internationally trained professional. I learned how customer care writing is important and how invaluable my soft skills are. Moreover, I was in a very supportive group and it was great to share our journey together.

I did not find a job placement after the program, but it did not take me more than a couple of interviews to be offered the position I have today in infrastructure project management. I thank all the ELT staff for the great job they achieve with new immigrants. Thank you for your help and support in our journey. I highly recommend the ELT program to newcomers in Ontario. It will help you to understand the workplace culture and find your way through a decent job.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts about TDSB ELT program.

I heard about ELT program after I finished my CLB assessment from YMCA. This was the first training program I enrolled after getting my PR. At first, I just wanted to have a try, I never thought it turned out to be the most productive and memorable training I ever had.

ELT program has great and systematic curriculum which includes business English training, job developer sessions, sector specific lessons, legal aid workshop and digital empowerment training. On top of that, each instructor and job developer are impressively professional and helpful.

After the eight weeks with ELT, I developed not only my own Canadian style resume and learnt how to prepare an efficient interview, but also successfully found a volunteer work placement with the help of my job developer Ivetta.

For me personally, the inspiring ELT workshop is way beyond improving business English skills and introducing Canadian workplace culture, the instructor Thomas encouraged me to re-examine my inner self and make me more confident.

If I can only recommend one training to newcomers, it would be TDSB ELT program.

Being a newcomer is a challenging experience, but this road can be less bumpy with proper guidance. Several of my friends have recommended the Enhanced Language Training as an incredible opportunity to learn about Canadian working culture and I was not disappointed!

This well-balanced training helped to develop varied skills from resume writing to in-office communication. As a high-skilled professional, the course instructor encouraged clients to do their best every day in job search and personal development. Moreover, the job developer helped to boost my confidence and provided practical advice for the interview process. Additionally, the sector-specific instructor was a great motivator and mentored me during the program.

By the end of the program, I managed to find a full-time job in an engineering company, and I can not express how grateful I am to the ELT team for their help in reaching this goal. I highly recommend this program to internationally trained engineers as a great start to their professional journey in Canada.

Thank you so much for the opportunity and all the help.

I heard about the ELT program from one of my mentors. The experience he shared with me was my way into the program. I really enjoyed all the 8 weeks of the program. The different sessions led by our Instructor Nelson, Job Developers (JD), sector-specific instructor Rakesh and different guest instructors were informative at the same time interesting. Our instructors were really encouraging and supported each one of us throughout the program. I was able to make new friends from different parts of the world who had tremendous experience in their respective field of engineering. It helped me build my professional network as well.

At the end of the program, I was able to acquire work placement at a reputed Civil Engineering firm in Markham with the help of my JD Jennifer, which eventually got converted into a full-time job for me. I am informed that this was imaginable as I did everything possible to demonstrate my skills, adapt, learn and demonstrate what I could do in that role. The practice mock interview sessions at ELT were a great opportunity that helped me in understanding my mistakes. This made me more confident and fluent during the actual interviews. I recommend the ELT program to all the new immigrants. This program will help you understand more about the Canadian workplace culture and business etiquettes.

I am writing to thank you and other individuals involved in the ELT program because of your great program and informative and helpful lessons…. I am one of the attendees of engineering sector of the program starting April 2021. After four weeks, I was invited to attend the interview for one of the positions I applied for and got the job as the “Team Lead of Manufacturing Quality Assurance” in “Stratosphere Quality” company.

From the information about the workplace culture and business language in Canada to job finding strategies including preparing and improving the resume, networking and finding connections, searching companies, how to appear in the interview and how to answer the questions etc., were very effective for me to get the job.

While searching for companies and contact persons for job placement, I reached to one of the managers in one of my goal companies; through mutual connections I asked him for consultancy. Giving many helpful comments, he introduced me to one of his friends who worked as a project manager in Stratosphere Quality company. This person was very supportive as well and told me to send him my resume and apply on the site of the company for the related job posting. In less than two weeks I was invited for the interview.

The interview went well. The questions were like what we had practiced during the class, I was prepared to answer them, supporting my answers with my success stories. Few hours after the interview, I was called and told that I can start my job from the beginning of next month.

I feel way more comfortable and confident than I felt before participating in the program. I am very grateful to you and other teachers for your invaluable knowledge, great experience, high professionalism, helpful comments, recommendations and support, inspiration, and encouragement.

I will recommend my friend to participate and take benefit of this program.

Best regards,

The ELT program, which was recommended by my language assessor at YMCA, helps newcomers be prepared for Canadian workplace culture as well as help them find employment. I would like to talk about what really makes the program stand out.

After 8 weeks of class, you can get a 6-week voluntary placement chance, which is rare to find in other programs. Also, the classes are differentiated between Administration/Customer Service and Accountant/Financial professionals, according to a participant’s previous experience. The program is very practical and well-organized. I learned useful tips in cover letter and resume writing and got valuable feedback in class. Particularly, the job interview preparation and a mock interview made me feel well-prepared for my actual job interview. Finally, all the staff and instructors are very resourceful, professional and supportive.

Honestly, I was worried about not having class in person due to Covid-19, but it did not affect the success of the program. Having moved to Toronto during the pandemic, I found it very challenging to find a volunteer position to get Canadian experience. Getting a job seemed almost impossible. However, thanks to the ELT program, I landed a job in the administration sector by the end of the program. I am so happy that I joined the program. I highly recommend the ELT program.

The Enhanced Language Training (TDSB) program was my third agency for training, development, and support in my Canadian job search. Before starting the program, I have decided it is my final job training. I heard about the ELT program from an employment training agency.

The ELT program helped me to improve my language. I have learnt more about the Canadian job market. I never paid attention to some of my soft skills before. I have concentrated more on my technical skills. The ELT program helped me notice more of my soft skills. With the help of the ELT program, I have developed my skills like presentation and interview skills.

Throughout the ELT program and my voluntary placement, my job developer Genevieve Graham extended great support to modify and develop my resume and help improve my skills. She also gave me some tips to attend the job interview. By the end of my voluntary placement, I got two full-time opportunities from two companies. These happened because of the excellent training by the ELT program.

I would like to thank Dr. Rakesh and Linda. They have supported and motivated me in my job search. As a new immigrant, I will strongly recommend the ELT program not only for job search and voluntary placement, but also to create more connections in the same field. It also helps us to improve most of our important soft skills, which we never focus on.

Thank you ELT for giving me a breakthrough!

I was a student of TDSB-Community Services’ ELT Fall 2020 program. I came to know about this program when I did my language assessment with YMCA in last August.

Initially I was in a bit of a dilemma; however, when I talked with an ELT counselor and attended their information session, I understood this program was not like any regular program, but it was designed in such a way for a newcomer where he/she would be able to get the accurate industry information, a guideline and possibly an opportunity of work-placement in the desired area. I am happy I joined the program, followed their guided path and thus today, I can share my success story.

Our workshop took place online. It had eight weeks of in-class program under a very talented, and professional instructor and we were also tied with a Job Developer (JD) to get prepared for work-placements. It covered useful tips and techniques about resume writing, interviews and business language, hidden job market research, work culture; sometimes industry leaders joined the program, shared their experiences, and suggested us the required certifications or paths for long run.

The uniqueness of this program I find is that the mentors are highly experienced in their fields, thus they not only concentrated on resumes or cover letters, but they taught me how I can be different among all other candidates, how to answer most difficult questions in a manner which portrays my positiveness and soft skills. My JD worked very hard and found me the placement matching my experiences even during pandemic, she helped me with my interview questions, showed me the areas to improve, researching the hidden job market; even after that when I got the work placement, she advised me in detail how I should behave so that, in case there is any opportunity, the company can offer me a job.

Upon completion of the program, I got the work placement and fortunately I can turn that to a contractual job. I regularly use the keywords or communication skills I have learnt from this program in my day-to-day job, which helps me to be a part of the team easily.

I highly recommend this program to any newcomer, because one lucrative part of this program is the possible opportunity of job placement which helps us with much required Canadian experiences and, secondly, the supports from instructors are wide-ranging. They are pioneers in these areas. They know all the difficulties or questions a newcomer can have; thus, they offer very personalized support to each participant.

I am very much thankful to the ELT program, my mentors, to become my support system in this new journey. I share my gratitude to all the people who are associated with this.

I learned about the Enhanced Language Training program from a LINC classmate. She told me that her husband successfully found a professional job through this project, which is very suitable for people who work in IT. Later, I checked it online myself and found it very interesting, so I signed up for it.

Overall, I think the ELT project is very good! It systematically introduces how to write resumes, interviews, social networking, Canadian work culture etc. The tutors in the courses are very experienced and gave us a lot of knowledge and skills. In the class, my instructor Nelson was very helpful! He is humorous and serious. He is a professional and very interesting tutor! We all love him!

After the popularization of knowledge in the ELT classroom and the communication with the students, we realized the difference between our previous work experience and methods and the local work culture in Canada. How to deal with this difference properly and how to deal with this kind of difference reasonably is conducive to us to find a professional job..

After taking the ELT course, I strongly recommend this course to every new immigrant friend who wants to find a job. Everyone who has taken this course will have a great harvest!

In fact, after finishing the ELT course, I successfully found a professional job in one month.

I sincerely thank the ELT course and the teachers of ELT!

Thank you very much!

I joined ELT after my Clinical Research course in Canada. I was looking for a job and I went to Next Steps Employment Centres and there they suggested to take a course in ELT about Health. My JD there was sure that this will open more opportunities for me. And I have to say this, they were not wrong. I joined ELT in November of 2018.

My instructor, Kurt is one of the finest teachers I have ever met. He explained the Canadian culture very effectively and helped develop my soft skills which were an asset for my new job. I joined as a volunteer and then continued working in the same place.

My JD Roxanne Rocks. She taught me the value of a high-quality resume and how to build it. She gave some important tips and tricks which I still use. The most useful part of ELT was to prepare us for the job interview. We had a mock interview which was almost like a real interview and the comments and feedback on it helped me to improve tremendously.

Our sector specific instructor helped us learn what is new in the field and where else we can fit in. All these efforts from different members of ELT boosted my confidence and I felt ready to be a part of the bigger community with more challenges.

When I joined ELT, I was not expecting it to be so useful. But now, I can say very confidently that it is one of the most important programs run by TDSB for the newcomers. I am happy I took the ELT program. I have and will recommend this to my friends who are looking for opportunities.

I am very thankful to my mentors, ELT staff and this wonderful program for supporting my new journey in a new country. It helped me with a good job opportunity and lifetime friends.

Thank You!

Starting over in a new country is a daunting challenge, especially for myself. I had built a career in Supply chain for over a decade before I made the move to Canada. Finding a job was at the top of my list of priorities when I arrived, eager to continue my journey in Supply chain. I soon realized that I would need help to prepare for the job market in Toronto. My sister had found out about the program when researching new immigrant resources in Toronto.

The TDSB, ELT program was exactly what I needed. The tutoring on work practices, and how to tailor my resume to successfully scale through to the interview stage was essential to helping me secure work. I also made many good friends and learned so much from the TDSB facilitators and industry experts that held sessions to set me up for success. Shortly after completing the program, I found a job that fit my skills perfectly. I look back fondly on the program and how it was instrumental in jump starting my career in Canada!

I would like to introduce the Sales and Marketing Professional Program to all my friends. It was very helpful to me. This program not only helped me get a great job in Canada, but also helped me prepare well to make a difference in a new company.

There are several points which are very helpful that I would love to highlight here:

The teachers are very experienced and skillful, my classmates and me got involved in the class very soon, especially with Nelson, we learned a lot from his experience, and he prepared us well psychologically for the new life and new change in Canada.

This program provided us with the comprehensive knowledge and tips in almost every field that we needed to know in our daily job, very practical.

There were so many young talented professionals in this program, we learned a lot from each other.

Again, I would love to refer this program to everyone who just move in to Canada and who would like to get development in their sales and marketing career. Nelson, Thanks a lot!

I landed in Canada and settled down in Toronto in August 2018. Before coming to Canada one of my best friends told me about the importance of getting Canadian experience if I was pursuing working in my field. I did some research on the Internet of programs for internationally trained professionals and found this amazing program for Engineers.

ELT for Engineers program offers newcomers the opportunity to learn and understand the workplace culture, as well as get a work placement in their field. This program helped me to enhance my English skills, how to customize my resume, and be well prepared for a job interview.

In addition to the English classes and guest speakers’ sessions related to legal aid and the Engineering License process, the program delivers one-to-one sessions with a job developer. Here is when I had the privilege to meet Roxanne. She was not only my JD she also became my friend and we have been in touch since then.

After the completion of the program including my work placement, I was offered a part-time job at the same company.

I would like to encourage all newcomers to be part of this program, it will strengthen your self-confidence and will help you to land on the right path in your professional career.

Finally, I would like to add a quote for all of you:

“Stay always positive, believe in yourself, and make all challenges an opportunity to grow and get where you want to be”.

Internationally Trained Engineer making great strides locally!

I found out about the ELT program through a friend as he received assistance and started working in his field after finishing the program. I was hesitant at the beginning but read more about it and learnt that it is free of charge, especially for someone, like myself, who recently moved to Canada, and does not know from where to start.

When I joined the ELT program (Health and wellness module), it exceeded my expectation as I received the full support that I needed. At the beginning, I wanted to learn more about the Canadian culture and how to communicate in a Canadian way. Suzan, who was our class instructor, met my needs and answered many questions I had regarding my new country such as the law, taxes, manners and many other aspects.

Communication skills that I learnt were amazing as they helped me a lot during my licensing examinations journey in the medical field. Then she focused on work and career paths like business manners and writing.

In the last few weeks of the program, Paul, my job developer, helped me to edit my resume into the Canadian style and improve my interview skills. This support helped to ace my interview with the Canadian Red Cross as a volunteer at the beginning until I joined them officially as an employee and was deployed to different cities in Ontario working in emergencies. I will always appreciate and be grateful to the ELT program for showing me the path and motivating me. I highly recommend it to all international trained professionals, particularly newcomers, who need any kind of support.

When I first embarked on this immigration journey in Canada, I had moderate proficiency in the English language & had little idea about the Canadian job market. However, I was determined to improve my skills and expand my linguistic capabilities. I came across TDBS's enhanced language training program through YMCA, and upon careful consideration, I decided to enroll.

From the outset, I was impressed by the comprehensive curriculum designed by the program's experts. The curriculum not only focused on improving my vocabulary and grammar but also emphasized practical applications, resume building, public speaking, SME workshops, and field knowledge. The course structure was well-organized, with a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and immersive exercises. The inclusion of real-life scenarios and interactive activities truly enhanced my learning experience.

The instructors (Thomas Brown) involved in the program were undoubtedly the highlight of my journey. Their expertise, patience, and commitment to our success were evident from day one. They not only possessed a profound understanding of the language but also employed innovative teaching methods that catered to diverse learning styles. They fostered a supportive and collaborative environment that encouraged active participation, ensuring that every student's unique needs were met.

My job developer was Jennifer Kolins who took my most interviews & her feedback was very helpful for me in my real interviews. She made sure we select the right companies to target & our skills are relevant. She has very good contacts as well & gave me her reference for my first job in Canada. I am grateful to have worked with her on my initial job search journey.

I am delighted to report that as a direct result of this enhanced language training program, my language skills have improved significantly & I landed my first job in my field of study in Canada. I have gained the confidence to engage in conversations, both professionally and personally, and express myself more effectively. The program's focus on practical application & SME workshops has proven instrumental in enabling me to overcome language barriers and communicate with ease. I currently work as Scrum lead for DataOps with General Motors, Canada.

Overall, I highly recommend TDSB's enhanced language training program to anyone seeking to enhance their language skills & starting an immigration journey to settle in this beautiful country. The comprehensive curriculum, outstanding instructors, technological integration, and flexible learning options make it a truly exceptional program. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact it has had on my language proficiency, personal growth, and professional development.

Thank you once again for providing me with this invaluable opportunity.

ELT program is a great opportunity not only to learn more about Canadian work environment and gain valuable knowledge of job seeking but also to get the first Canadian experience during a work placement, which is also provided by the program. I found out about the ELT program from YMCA language assessor and had no doubt that it would make a beginning of my successful career in Canada.

After eight weeks of in-class lessons with a high-skilled professional teacher, I learned a vast number of useful tips and techniques about resume and cover letter writing, interviews and business language, Canadian work culture and corporate environment. It was an intensive program with a perfect balance between everyday challenges and fun! The other part of the program consisted of meetings with a job developer, who was extremely helpful with resume customization, practical interviews preparation and placement seeking.

Upon completing the program, I significantly improved my language skills, got lots of useful knowledge and information that I would definitely use in the future, and the most important I managed to get a paid internship in an international IT company. Therefore I definitely recommend the ELT program for all internationally trained professionals who want to build a successful career in Canada.

I heard about the ELT program from the YMCA when I got my CLB test last November. After reading the introduction for the program, I decided to enrol immediately because it has two significant features which are different from others. One is grouping students by industry and another is volunteer work placement recommendation by the job developer. Later the fact proves, those two features are so important for us to get interviews and to be successful.

Because of COVID-19, our class changed into an online course, but it had no effect on training. We learned lots of language knowledge. Students from multicultural backgrounds built teams to discuss different opinions and summarize into an assessment. Everyone had a chance to make a public presentation. All textbook and material revolved around a real situation. We got many skill points which should be mastered in the workplace very quickly.

Job developer gave us comprehensive interview guideline and pointed out every tiny thing which should be improved. In the mock interview, it was such an amazing immersive sense that I had to overcome being nervous and tongue-tied. Those training and strategies were used in my later interview successfully.

As a newcomer, we have to shift our mind and integrate into society as soon as possible. We must absorb essential skills and knowledge to adapt to new workplaces. We need opportunities to practice and present our professional ability. The ELT program is a platform for us to provide all of those things. In this program, I learned about not only communication language but also common sense and motivation for workplace. I really highly recommend this program for all newcomers.

“It (ELT) is helpful for newcomers, it is designed based on what we need to know about general culture and working environment in Canada and enhance our language skills to easily adapt to the English speaking communities. 

The teacher is very enthusiastic to explain all the definitions and concepts that are strange to us about life in Canada. He always welcomes questions and helped me fix language errors in my resume. 

The Job developer also helps to identify what is the (difference) in job hunting strategy in Canada and in my home country, so that I can apply and change my approach immediately to get a job offer quickly. 

I enhanced my languages skills… got job searching skills and know how to well prepare for an upcoming opportunity.”

One of the workers at YMCA recommended the ELT program at TDSB. The program is really great and very helpful. I learnt the Canadian culture, life, working environment, job search tools and interview tips, enhanced my language skills to adapt easily to the English speaking communities, established new contacts with my multicultural team. My team was incredible, all my classmates were internationally trained professionals with whom I learnt the importance of diversity and inclusion.

From my ELT Instructor Nelson Yuen, I learnt the importance of SABO stories and their effectiveness in making the interview process professional and successful. And I was greatly impressed when I got a message from YMCA for a phone interview that resulted in a volunteer placement.

Within the frames of the ELT program, I improved my hard skills as well, prepared presentations and business correspondence, created a LinkedIn account, and improved my knowledge at Excel.

Working with my Job Developer Jennifer Kolins, I learnt many job search tools, had a great experience to pass the mock interview and got respectful feedback on my responses and behaviour. I felt more prepared and confident for any upcoming opportunity to interview, to network, to use business communication skills and workplace behavioural skills, to reach my goals in my new country. And as a result of my study, I got a job!

I am very grateful to all my teachers at the ELT program for their invaluable knowledge, great experience, high professionalism, respectful comments, recommendations and support, inspiration and encouragement. I definitely recommend the program to all internationally-trained newcomers to improve their business English skills for the workplace and to gain the Canadian experience.

One of my friends I met at Church who is an administrator in a large company recommended the ELT program to me as she had seen my struggle in looking for a job. She said she was a student in the ELT program more than 10 years ago and found a job through the program.

We have a group of very experienced and professional instructors like Nelson in ELT program to teach us the workplace culture, write business letters, build our confidence, create and embellish interview stories and practice interview skills.

Also, classmates were so collaborative to help each other doing homework, filling out company list to be a volunteer there.

I believe it would be better for students to be in a physical classroom with instructors and classmates. Given the situation with the pandemic, online classes did the job!

I already recommended this program to my friends who would definitely join after being qualified.

I came to Canada as an immigrant with new hopes and dreams. ELT program at TDSB-Centrepoint Learning was something which caught my attention and after my research, I joined the program in Accounting stream. This program provided an opportunity to understand the Canadian workplace environment and equipped me with necessary skills required in securing a job, such as resume building, facing interviews, networking and enhancing social media presence. It not only covered all the essential components for job search in my field but also provided me insight of the tools and software commonly used in Canadian business environment.

ELT helped me leverage my skills and experience to gain opportunities. I really enjoyed all the components of the program whether its learning in multicultural environment, practicing new skills and helping each other to gain confidence during hiring process.

I am extremely grateful to my instructor Kurt Strachan and coordinator Pallavi Mauji who guided and supported me in transition of my life. Roxanne my JD has been an integral part of my journey at ELT. With the knowledge, coaching and blessings of Kurt and Roxanne and learnings of the program in my armoury, I was able to secure a job in accounting within six months of my arrival, even during the unprecedented times of COVID.

In a nutshell I am happy that I got this opportunity to get connected with ELT program and made a wise decision.

Rafael was a dedicated and focused client in ELT Sales and Marketing, April 2019. He has a background in marketing and tourism. Early in 2020, Rafael made an aggressive plan to network and go back to the career he so loved. His hard work paid off when he started his new job as a Director for a firm providing governance consulting, research, training, and more. He will be responsible for Customer Care and Marketing.

Nelson Yuen – instructor

It is most gratifying to see someone who used to be an industry leader in his native country, came to Canada, worked hard to get back his self-confidence and land another job where he can blossom and contribute to his new home. It is stories like this that makes my day.

One of my fellow ELT students, Eliane, whom I met at the Triec mentoring information session, recommended this program.

It is a good program for newcomers. It facilitates the learning of Canadian business communication skills and workplace behavioural skills. It also equips them with job search methods and tips to begin a successful career in Canada.

I really enjoyed working with a multicultural team with a sales and marketing background. I learned different perspectives from their career experiences and their newcomer experiences in Canada. I also learned many nuances of effective communication from Barbara Carter, ELT Instructor.

I learned many useful job search tips from the Job Developer. The mock interview process helped me reflect on my body language and my responses to behavioural interview questions.

I learned the importance of conversational writing and its effectiveness in making the communication genuine and in gaining readers engagement.

Would you consider referring the ELT program to others?

Yes. It is a great platform for newcomers to learn Canadian business communication and to gain their first practical experience in working with a multicultural team here in Canada.

“The ELT can help internationally trained professionals by providing them with the resources they need to get acclimated to the Canadian workplace environment and by helping them leverage on their skills and experience to gain opportunities… being in a program like ELT is like being in the workplace; whether it’s interacting with others, learning and re-learning, establishing contacts, and helping others get better.

Whether you have basic or intermediate language skills, I would recommend the ELT program if you’re looking for a program that combines practical communication skills development and training, relevant workplace and sector-specific information, and useful job search tools and strategies.”