Rita de Casia David, Community Health Nurse

Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) courses are free workplace communication training courses for internationally educated or experienced immigrants. They are offered at many Ontario public colleges full time and part time, in-person and online.

These practical, relevant courses build language and communication knowledge and skills in many occupations in business, construction, health sciences, human services and technology.

Q: What are some of the most useful things you learned in this course?

A: I learned how to express myself in a clear and professional way with others in the workplace, whether it is emailing co-workers, talking with a supervisor, or gathering and documenting patient information. It was also helpful to learn to communicate in a sensitive way with the patients’ parents.

Working in groups with other students, we created scenarios that are common in a health care workplace, and we had to figure out how to communicate in ways that are straightforward and respectful.

Q: How did the course enhance your understanding of workplace culture in Ontario?

A: In workplaces in Côte d’Ivoire, managers have a traditional leadership style that is more top-down. Here, everyone is more on the same level. It is participatory management, and everyone is welcome to give their input.

I also learned about the importance of small talk — finding a connection with a co-worker rather than directly going to the main point. I found it to be a more human-oriented approach that helps to improve relations with others at work.

As well, we learned about the power relationships between different employees in health care environments. The culture here is that people are more empowered to express their opinions, ideas and concerns. There is also a strong emphasis on respect for diverse identities.

Q: How did the course prepare you to apply for community nursing jobs?

A: My confidence shot up after the course. I knew that putting the OSLT course on my resumé gave me an advantage in the job market.

In the course, we dissected the entire job interview process. We learned what kinds of questions to expect, how to speak about our work experiences, strengths and weaknesses, and how to follow up afterward. During my interview with my current employer, I felt very comfortable sharing my experiences.

Q: Would you recommend this course to other internationally educated nurses in Ontario?

A: The number one thing that mattered to me when I moved to a new country was learning the language because that would help me integrate into the workforce. I am so appreciative of how I learned to express myself professionally through this course. I have already referred other nurses to this course because it’s virtual, it’s free and it makes you more confident in your workplace communication skills.

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