To acquire second-language skills, improve abilities to understand, communicate and write in English or French, and pass official-language evaluations, ELADO offers three training programs for Public Service employees.
Reading comprehension (levels A, B and C)
is the minimum level required for reading comprehension in the second language for positions that require comprehension of texts on topics of limited scope.
Persons reading at this level can:
- fully understand very simple texts
- grasp the main theme of texts on familiar topics, and
- read and understand simple points of information such as dates, numbers or names from relatively more complex texts in order to perform the routine tasks of a job.
is the minimum level required for reading comprehension in the second language for positions that require comprehension of most texts of a descriptive or factual nature on work-related topics.
Persons reading at this level can:
- grasp the general meaning of most texts
- identify specific details in them.
is the level of skill required for reading comprehension in the second language for positions that require comprehension of texts that deal with a wide variety of work-related topics.
Persons reading at this level can:
- grasp the greater part of complex details, recognize allusions and inferences
- understand the gist of texts dealing with specialized or less familiar questions
- distinguish between main and secondary ideas.
Written expression (levels A, B and C)
The SLE test of written expression in the second official language evaluates all the levels of skill required for bilingual positions in the Public Service. Each of the skill levels is defined below.
Can write limited units of information in the second official language. Can write isolated words, phrases, simple statements or questions on very familiar topics using words of time, place or person.
Can write short descriptive or factual texts in the second language. Can write with sufficient mastery of grammar and vocabulary to deal with explicit information on work-related topics.
Can write explanations or descriptions in a variety of informal and formal work-related situations. Can write texts in which the ideas are developed and presented in a coherent manner in which vocabulary, grammar and spelling are generally appropriate and require few corrections.
An exemption from further second-language written expression testing will be granted to persons who obtain a sufficiently high mark to indicate that they do not need to be evaluated again for this ability.
Oral proficiency (levels A, B and C)
The SLE test of written expression in the second official language evaluates all the levels of skill required for bilingual positions in the Public Service. Each of the skill levels is defined below.
Can understand most of a discourse that deals with concrete and routine topics and is delivered slowly and clearly in standard speech. Can make themselves understood in short contributions, even though pauses and false starts may be very evident. Can talk about their routine activities and handle a simple question-and-answer exchange. Have sufficient basic vocabulary and grammatical structures to conduct routine transactions involving familiar situations and topics. Use structures and vocabulary borrowed from another language, which can interfere with the clarity of the message. Have pronunciation that requires close attention from the listener, but there are no long stretches that are unclear.
Can understand the main points of clear standard discourse that deals with concrete, work-related topics and is delivered at normal speed. Can give a simple description of a concrete topic and explain main points comprehensibly. Can compare and discuss alternatives when complications arise. Can speak with some spontaneity, although pauses for grammatical and lexical planning and repair are evident in longer stretches. Have sufficient vocabulary and a variety of simple grammatical structures to handle concrete, non-routine situations and topics. May be miscommunicating in some areas, but most stretches are clear. Have pronunciation that is generally clear enough to be understood, despite an evident accent from another language. Will at times be asked by the listener to repeat or clarify.
Can understand linguistically complex discourse that deals with work-related topics and is spoken in standard dialect at normal speed. Can give clear, detailed descriptions of complex topics and can summarize a discussion. Can express and sustain opinions and respond to complex and hypothetical questions. Have a fairly natural and even delivery, with occasional hesitations, but most hesitations are to search for ideas. Have a broad range of vocabulary and grammatical structures allowing them to talk about complex and abstract topics with a relatively high degree of control. Make errors, but these rarely lead to misunderstanding. Have pronunciation that is clear, even if an accent from another language is noticeable. Have occasional mispronunciations but they rarely interfere with communication.
Exemption from further testing because linguistic performance contains no major weaknesses. Can handle most situations in the second official language with excellent control of the language and a high degree of ease.
