Following a needs and impact assessment at Simon Fraser University, a curriculum focused on developing job search skills for EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners emerged. This curriculum has now been trialled with new international students in a pilot program at Fraser International College. The findings of the impact assessment show that the curriculum has not only resulted in students having a better understanding of how to prepare for the job market post-graduation, but there has also been a positive impact on these students' motivation for academic study. In this recording, Sharla Reid and Heather Williams discuss and share results from a pilot program. This program highlights the collaborative efforts between FIC and partner institution, Simon Fraser University to find new ways to adapt curriculum for new purposes while increasing student retention and engagement.

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Motivating Academic Engagement with
Employability Skills for New
International Students
Burnaby, Canada
Presented by: Sharla Reid and Heather Williams

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Introduction and Outline
SFU Context: EAL Project
Curriculum Development
Partnership
Pilot Program and Outcomes
Q&A

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• EAL Implementation Task Force
• 45-50% English as an Additional
Language
• “Every student needs a home”
• What is the SFU EAL student experience?
SFU Context: EAL Project

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Preparatory Research
 Needs / Gap Analysis
 Community of Practice
 Literature Review

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 Visual learners
 Iterative feedback
 Writing and speaking
 Isolation and depression
 Intercultural issues and strategies for
both students and staff
 Western cultural advising approach
Insights: EAL Project

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Designed for Multilingual, Multicultural
Learners
 Language: positive, empowering,
emphasis on strengths
 Videos: testimonial &
instructional
 Infographics: visual based
learning
 Assignments: written feedback
 Discussions & Scenarios:
emphasize self awareness,
curiosity and open mindedness

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 Online
 Co-curricular Credit
 5 weeks – paced for busy students
 Facilitated
 Rooted in academic frameworks,
visually-based, accessible
language - plain English
Job Search Success

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Opportunity to Partner

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Fraser International College
• University designed programs leading to the
second year of the undergraduate degree at
Simon Fraser University
• Located on the main SFU Campus; Can use most
university facilities including accommodation
• Programs designed to ease transition to Canadian
environment
• Courses are the same at SFU and taught by SFU
approved instructors
• Joint offer letter for program at FIC and degree at
SFU

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Reboot 101
An opt-in course for students interested in additional support to
continue their studies.
• Brief Course Description
Reboot 101 offers students in academic difficulty additional
assistance within a structured environment to develop the skills
necessary for personal and academic achievement. Through a
combination of one-on-one discussion and planning strategies,
group work, and other learning activities, students will develop
an increased awareness about their own styles of learning, have
the opportunity to address their challenges and learn strategies
to enable success in higher education.
• Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of the course you will be able
to:
• Develop the ability to assess yourself and identify areas for
improvement, both personally and academically;
• Develop an action sheet to identify realistic next steps in
response to your assessment;
• Understand and develop learning techniques and strategies;
• Understand different communication methods for the effective
presentation of ideas and information in class (speaking,
reading, writing, listening and presenting);
• Engage in problem recognition and solving;
• Understand the relationship between goal setting, time
management, health and wellbeing to learning;

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JSS Pilot for At –Risk Students
• Began in Spring 2018 and is ongoing
• Students offered a choice between JSS or Alternate completion project
• SFU Curriculum and Facilitator seconded
• Collaboration to overcome technology barriers and facilitate access to
program
• Adjustments to delivery to support at-risk students identified
• Delivery and follow up

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Success Data Cohort 1
Average CGPA
Fall 2017
Average CGPA
Spring 2018 (JSS
Semester)
Average CGPA
Summer 2018
Completed JSS 1.43 2.48 2.49
Alternate Project 1.19 1.73 1.90
Retention Rate
in Summer 2018
Retention Rate in
Fall 2018
Completed JSS 92.3% 84.6%
Alternate Project 82.9% 73.2%

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Success Data Cohort – Course Impact
Assessment – Post-Pre Methodology
Before JSS After JSS

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Success Data Cohort 2
Average CGPA
Spring 2018
Average CGPA
Summer 2018
(JSS Semester)
Average CGPA
Fall 2018
Completed JSS 1.24 2.24 TBC
Alternate Project 1.22 1.72 TBC
Retention Rate
in Fall 2018
Retention Rate in
Spring 2019
Completed JSS 100% TBC
Alternate Project 92.1% TBC

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Success Data Cohort – Course Impact
Assessment – Post-Pre Methodology
Before JSS After JSS

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Next Steps for Data Analysis
 More research how many students changed major after the course
 Follow on to track their participation in Further WIL and Co-op opportunities
at SFU
 Where should JSS curriculum be presented to international students during
their first year of studies
 Only 3 students from China chose to take the JSS program
 Hypothesis
 Fear of language
 No intent to stay in Canada

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Curriculum Show and Tell

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Testimonial
For me, JSS Program will give a more general idea to apply for jobs in Canada especially for
international students. JSS Program will offer all the needed requirements in terms of
procedure such as writing the right resume and creating cover letter as well as providing
students the proper way to behave in the workplace. The program itself is taught in a very
straight forward manner so students do not have to feel pressured to do it. When having
difficulties, the instructor will be available with fast response and detail solutions.
Before trying the JSS Program, I have absolutely no idea and plans about applying jobs in
Canada because of different behavior and workplace. However, joining JSS Program
afterwards have taught me to break the boundaries and be more confident about myself that
every major that we take will be fruitful. Difference is seen as an added value in the
workplace and this course will encourage students to show their potential. I highly
recommended this course to fellow students that is planning to make a career in Canada.
-Gregorius

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Lessons Learned
 Collaboration to support EAL students has to come from multiple places
 We are better together-leverage strength across campus
 Time needed for the LMS training
 More time up front to support online learning
 Share the data with students to encourage participation
 Talk to students from China to understand lack of interest
 Scalability can be an issue so start where you can
 Don’t be afraid to just try

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Q & A

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Contact information:
Sharla Reid sharla.reid@fraseric.ca
Heather Williams heather_w@sfu.ca