Are you a new or recent immigrant to Canada?

Speaking, writing and listening are all critical to immigrants’ success in Canada

Communication skills are critical for immigrants. If English or French is your second language, this can be challenging, but it’s very important for career success to be able to not only speak, but also write clearly and persuasively. And let’s not forget about listening!

Speak well

Verbal or oral communication skills are critical, whether delivered in person or over the phone.

If you feel that your English or French skills are not sufficient, invest in yourself by enrolling in classes to boost your grammar and vocabulary.

There are small strategies you can perform daily, too. Read and listen (e.g., to CBC Radio) in English or French for several hours a day. The Reader’s Digest page on vocabulary is a great resource to new immigrants.

Another key to improving your communication is to watch your Canadian colleagues closely and adapt your skills accordingly. Listen to them as they speak and pick up pointers as you go along. Practise with friends or family. Stand up and give a mock speech to them.

While our ethnic languages are very important to us, especially when it comes to passing it down to our children, your professional success in Canada will be to a large extent dependent on your ability to converse well in one of our official languages.

Listen up

Listening and non-verbal communication can be equally important.

To listen more than we speak! In a corporate environment, you will be asked to be present at meetings, and listening here is very important. Be an active listener by nodding and smiling at appropriate times. Jot down key points and show you’re engaged.

Most importantly, don’t interrupt. Let the speaker finish — no one likes being interrupted. If you do, it looks like you aren’t really listening or worse are trying to show off! Listen first and then speak.

Another part of communication is non-verbal. Body language differs from culture to culture. In some cultures it’s not as common to smile and make direct eye contact as is the norm in Canada, but if you don’t adapt to such practices, you may give off the wrong impression. For example, avoiding someone’s gaze could imply to some that you’re hiding something. You wouldn’t want to inadvertently send the wrong message to colleagues or your boss, would you?

All these skills will not come to you at once. You will need to practise, but you will eventually do them subconsciously and that’s when you know you have perfected the art of communication.

Take A Course

The Centre for Continuing Education’s Language Institute offers second language programs in English and French.