CALL FOR PAPERS (DEADLINE: April 7, 2014)

LANGUAGE MATTERS: EXPLORING COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN BRIDGING EDUCATION FOR IMMIGRANT PROFESSIONALS

DATE: May 16, 2014 (Friday)
VENUE: Osgoode Professional Development Centre, 1 Dundas St West, Toronto, Ontario

This conference is sponsored by the research team of a project supported by the Labour Market Integration Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the School of Nursing at York University, Toronto, Ontario.

Every immigrant experiences the challenges of the integration process as they socialize into a new culture of the host society. Research has shown that many of the challenges are related to social and professional communication issues. If these issues are not addressed, it will lead to more difficulties in resettlement and challenges entering into the Canadian labour market.

The theme of the conference is: challenges in the development of profession specific communication proficiency for immigrants. This one-day conference will focus upon the current approaches in language assessment and interventions in bridging education and how these programs promote labor market integration. The language learning needs of immigrants and current supporting system including post-secondary bridging education programs and on-going workplace professional development will be explored. This conference brings together scholars interested in rethinking and re-theorizing the current language approaches of bridging education, labour integration, and settlement. It will provide an opportunity for participants to foster an expanded conversation on future steps to improve professional communication development and bridging education for both regulated and non-regulated professions.

Participants are encouraged to consider one or more of the following questions in their paper presentations:

1. How effectively do current language (ESL) tests or strategies assess the language competency required for a specific profession? What are the problems and strategies for improvement?  

2. How effective are approaches to professional communication development within bridging education programs in preparing new immigrants for employment? 

3. What collaborative strategies, between educators, regulators and policy makers, could be implemented to facilitate professional communication development for new immigrants?
    
4. What are the policy implications for improving the current professional communication and development components of bridging education programs?

Participants should include the following in their abstract:

• A note outlining the methodological underpinnings of their work        
• A brief outline of the findings

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS/PAPERS

Abstracts must be submitted by electronically to Dr. June Vu junevu@yorku.ca
Deadline for abstract submission: 17:00h EST, April 7th, 2014
Notification of acceptance: April 14th, 2014

Successful applicants will be provided with an opportunity to submit a publishable paper of up to 5000 words to post on the project website or support for obtaining publication opportunities.

Instructions for Abstract Submission and a copy of submission form:
Please visit: http://nursetalk.info.yorku.ca/abstract-guide/

Instructions for Research Papers or Posters: 
Please visit: http://nursetalk.info.yorku.ca/paper-poster-guide/

CONTACT DETAILS

Convenors:

Associate Professor Lillie Lum
School of Nursing and Health Policy Management, Faculty of Health, York University
lum@yorku.ca

Associate Professor Pat Bradley
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University
bradleyp@yorku.ca