Continuing & Professional Education

Communication Skills for the Workplace

Earn a Certificate

Take a Course 8

  • New immigrants
  • ESL managers
  • ESL supervisors
  • ESL professionals
  • ESL workers in manufacturing
  • ESL workers in commerce

These part-time study courses are designed to enhance current practitioners’ skillsets
Program enrolment is optional – register in a course without applying for admission

This course supports international students, educators and professionals who want to develop their pronunciation skills for successful interpersonal communication. The course will focus on increasing speech intelligibility, and will draw students' attention to elements of pronunciation that can lead to miscommunication. Students will develop an awareness of their own individual strengths and weaknesses in pronunciation, and will build strategies for expanding their pronunciation skills beyond the classroom.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course will help you develop intermediate skills to enhance your reading comprehension, fluency, critical thinking, and vocabulary-building strategies. You will learn how to skim and scan to find information quickly and express your thoughts and opinions about the readings in a clear, organized manner. You will also use digital vocabulary-building tools to recognize and use new words in different situations.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course will help you develop intermediate skills to enhance your reading comprehension, fluency, critical thinking, and vocabulary-building strategies. Critical reading skills will enable you to challenge reasoning, examine assumptions, and identify biases. You will use textual annotation to learn how to read closely, identify key words and phrases, and have a deeper understanding of new vocabulary.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course is for those who want to develop public speaking skills. In these interactive classes, you will acquire tools and strategies for planning and delivering effective, persuasive presentations. The course is focused on concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and will address features of various digital platforms, taking into account audience, presentation purpose, structure, and features of public speaking. You will have opportunities to practice your new skills and to deliver a minipresentation for instructor and peer feedback.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course will help you improve your ability to communicate in writing effectively and professionally. You will develop the writing skills that are necessary to compose clear, concise, and inclusive writing for emailing, texting, and correspondence at work. Topics that will be addressed include format, forms of address, grammar, punctuation, register, vocabulary development, and organization.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course takes a content-based approach to developing oral communication skills. You will learn about the wider global community through the exploration of themes related to history, culture, diversity, sustainability, community engagement, and intercultural communication. You are encouraged to focus on building confidence while interacting with other students on topics of global interest.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Designed for English language learners, this course will help you develop the language, habits, and attitudes needed to perform effectively in the workplace. You will learn how to deal with conflict, work with others to solve a problem, and analyze relationships to understand how to appropriately interact with co-workers and supervisors.
Not currently scheduled – new schedules announced each June and November.
Course overview
Leadership is all about building relationships and connecting with people. Reflect on current leadership practices and explore fundamental leadership theories as you discuss different leadership styles and strengths. Identify key planning strategies to lead others toward a shared vision. Identify strategies on how to develop a cohesive, efficient, and effective team. Understand the beliefs and barriers that may hinder the efforts of emerging leaders.
May 8
starts in 12 days
Online learning, asynchronous. With Nolan Crouse
Details & register
July 9
starts in 2 months
Online learning, asynchronous. With Nolan Crouse
Details & register
  • An appli­ca­tion fee of $100 is required for admis­sion into the program.
  • Tuition is paid on a course-by-course basis as you reg­is­ter for your classes.
  • Cours­es are GST-exempt.
  • Some cours­es require a text­book at an addi­tion­al cost.
  • Eli­gi­ble for the Cana­da-Alber­ta Job Grant.
Bursaries and funding opportunities
Funding source
Eligibility
Amount
Apply by
Canada-Alberta Job Grant 

Available for businesses in all sectors across Alberta

 Two-thirds of the training costs (up to 100% if hiring an unemployed Albertan)
any time
Canada Training Benefit 

Residents of Canada, 25-65 years old, who have $10,000-150,000 in earnings for work.

 $250+
income tax return
Skilled Immigrant Micro-Loan 

Whether you intend to work in the same field you trained in outside of Canada, or you wish to apply your transferable skills to a new career, this low-interest loan helps you cover the cost of education and related living expenses.

 Up to $15,000 loan
N/A
HRDF 

Employed by the University of Alberta as Non-Academic Staff (NASA)

 $750 annually
Dec / Mar / Jun / Sep
                                                                                                                                       

Ready to take a course?

  • Take a course without applying and enrolling in the program.
  • No University of Alberta background necessary.
    • Questions: elsinfo@ualberta.ca
    • Course planner schedule-at-a-glance