For those learning English as a second language during the pandemic, finding opportunities to practice skills with business professionals is tough. However, those opportunities are important to build confidence and advance communication skills. This is one of the many reasons why 13 volunteers from RBC stopped by Manitou a bi Bii daziigae on May 31 to spend a few hours with 26 Language Training Centre students from Levels 7 and 8.

For students like Yufei Huang, these casual conversations are significant because they offer a chance to ask questions and learn about workplace culture in Canada.

In these conversations, language learners can pick up expressions, practice small talk, active listening, turn-taking, interrupting and learn how to tell their stories and ask questions to others who share theirs. What made this opportunity unique is that the volunteers provided invaluable feedback to the students about pronunciation, clarity, accuracy. The RBC staff also shared tips and strategies about workplace communication with clients and colleagues.

Huang says spending time with the RBC volunteers taught him about workplace culture.

“We talked about my past career, my family, and further career plan, and he also wanted to know my opinions about Canada, Winnipeg and other topics,” says Huang.

“He shared his career story with RBC with me…and gave me really valuable suggestions.”

Tamanna Vijay Pawar, one of the RBC volunteers, says learning English helped her increase her confidence. She says she had a memorable interaction with someone from RBC who provided advice and answered her many questions.

“When I was a newcomer in Canada, I was studying, and I was completely clueless what to do. How to face an interview, how to approach people…since there was COVID, I couldn’t interact with people,” says Vijay Pawar.

When Vijay Pawar heard about the event, she said it brought back memories of the anxiety and stress that she had gone through and the gratitude she felt for someone helping her. She volunteered to pay the favour forward.

“I really wanted to be here to help one student. Then I’d feel my journey was successful.”

The event succeeded in helping one student for sure, as Huang says the conversations helped him feel more confident about his English.

“I always wonder if my English is good enough to handle a customer service job. Now I know I am close to being able to apply for a position that requires high lever oral communication skills.”

Most newcomer students at the Language Training Centre have education, skills, and experience in various fields. They want to use those skills and contribute to Canada. While language classes help newcomers learn about Canadian culture, it is opportunities like this that make a lasting impact: they help build connections, learn from experience and build confidence.