STIC - Engineering: Facilitator's Introduction

Introduction to the Engineering Occupational Terminology Workshop

The engineering terminology workshop begins with four lessons in the licensing module, followed by two lessons in the work search module. The workshop concludes with six lessons focusing on workplace communication in the final module. Each module and each lesson is self-contained, but together they form a comprehensive program for occupation-specific second language learning.

Module 1: Communication and Terminology for Licensing

The licensing module consists of four lessons. Each lesson focuses on the performance of a particular task needed in order to become licensed by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO). The first lesson introduces general procedures for applying for a license within a functional language context of asking for clarification in order to obtain information accurately. The second lesson gives participants an opportunity to fill in a PEO application form. The third lesson concentrates on the development of an experience record centred on PEO criteria. In this activity, participants gain an understanding of the requirements of the regulatory body in terms of engineering experience. The last lesson allows participants to role-play an interview with the PEO Experience Requirements Committee relating theoretical knowledge to practical experience. Since many participants are likely to have the minimum ten years of experience, a successful interview allows them to be exempted from most of the exams.

Module 2: Communication and Terminology for Work Search

The work search module consists of two lessons. Participants analyze job ads in order to understand employer requirements and to match their own skills, personal attributes, educational background, and experience to those required by employers. Participants expand their knowledge of vocabulary that can be used to describe their own skills and personal attributes. In small-group discussions, participants use this vocabulary to practise answering typical employment interview questions.

Module 3: Communication and Terminology for the Workplace

Each lesson in the workplace module includes a task that allows participants to apply their prior knowledge and expertise within a new context. The module begins with an introductory lesson on some common management concepts frequently mentioned in engineering job ads. Participants have an opportunity to apply these concepts during a role-play of a meeting at a company undergoing a decrease in production. The next two lessons provide writing opportunities within the workplace context. Participants are provided with examples of professional correspondence and are given situations for which they have to write a proposal for engineering services and an inter-office email.

The fourth lesson in the module is divided into two parts. In the first part, participants choose a content area related to engineering in order to fulfil the task of explaining a process using a flow chart. In the second part, imperial to metric conversions form the basis for some mathematical problem-solving.

The last two lessons deal with health and safety. These lessons can be taught sequentially or adapted to stand-alone. The first lesson on WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is a generic one on health and safety in the workplace. Participants are given WHMIS symbols and information and prepare a short presentation simulating a workplace training session. The second lesson deals more specifically with health and safety as part of engineering professional practice.

Cumulatively, the modules provide an introduction to the communication and terminology needed by internationally-trained engineers to perform tasks related to licensing, work search, and the workplace.

Downloads

• Download Facilitator's Introduction [73 KB, 6 pages]

Download the complete Facilitator's Guide and Participant's Workbook.

• Full Facilitator's Guide - Occupational Terminology [4 MB, 247 pages]