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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 21, 2008 - 3 Sheridan gets $5.5M to improve language skills of foreign trained students By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER KITCHEN RENOVATIONS? The Sheridan Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals has been granted $5.5 million in funding by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The funding was announced Friday by Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The Sheridan Centre offers one and two year programs that provide internationally trained journalists, accountants, early childhood educators and technology majors with the recognition they need in order to pursue their professions in Ontario. The new funding will go towards a number of services including language training, mentorship opportunities and career development workshops for internationally-trained students. Like Sheridan students, newcomers will be able to access the library, computer lab and career centre, explained Finley. "Finding a job is one of the most significant challenges facing new immigrants to Canada," said Finley. "We want newcomers to succeed, and we want to help them find good jobs. Through this funding and the efforts of Sheridan College, newcomers will have the opportunity to develop the skills to find work in their fields." According to Finley, language proficiency determines how quickly newcomers will fit in the labour market. She Diane Finley, Minister Citizenship and Immigration believes programs, such as the ones offered at Sheridan, equip immigrants with the language skills they need to enter the Canadian labour market. Course designer, Joyce Wayne, agrees. "When students first come, their language is in trouble, but when they've been in a classroom for 300 hours of intense language training, they're going to come out of the other end a whole lot better than they started." Wayne explained that some people criticize the program because they believe proficient language skills are needed in professions such as journalism. Nonetheless, she believes "the success of the program is clear because students are graduating from the program to jobs at The Hamilton Spectator, and Metroland." When Jialang Lu, a fashion journalist in China, and a cur- rent journalism student in the Sheridan program, first entered the program she doubted its success. "Writing is something different," she explained. "I didn't think it would work out because in China we are taught to write one way, and in Canada it's a very different story. In Canada you say I love you directly, but in China you have to say it in an underground way," she laughed. Now, after completing the language-training session and attending classroom lectures she is confident of her capabilities. After the language and classroom sessions, students will complete a 12-week field placement at a media outlet. This placement is what attracted Khaled Salama, a journalist in Qatar and Egypt, to the program. He believes it will provide him with the Canadian experience that will enhance his journalistic career in Canada. "For a journalist, who spent a big chunk of his life among the big shots, like you it is almost impossible to spend the rest of his life working in a factory. So I gave up my job and returned back to school here in Canada," said Salama. "There is always that thin line between night and daylight between hopelessness and hope there is also that bridge between two worlds and two lights, for me and my family, Canadian Journalism for Internationally Trained Writers at Sheridan is that bridge," he added. GIVE YOUR KITCHEN THE FACTORY TILE TOUCH See our design team to transform your space We specialize in importing and supplying quality Granite, Caesarstone, Marble, Ceramics, Porcelain and Natural Stone Ask about our Custom Glass Shower Doors & Floor Heating Tile selection made enjoyable! FACTORY TILE DEPOT 1360 Speers Road, Oakville (East of third line) Factory Tile Depot 905.465.1650 Mon.-Thurs., 9:30-6, Fri. 9:30-5, Sat., 10-5, Closed Sun. www.factorytiledepot.ca