Editorial

Written by Dale Sproule

Internationally trained writers and journalists face one of the most difficult employment

transitions possible. Their job is communication. And when their first language is not English, then continuing their occupation in Canada requires not only learning English – but learning it so well that you can no longer tell it isn’t their first language. So well that they can compete with writers who were born and raised in Canada.

This goes far beyond Canadian Language Benchmarks (learn more about the system for evaluating English standards used in Canadian ESL and LINC classes at www.language.ca). To be a successful writer in Canada, you need university level English (or French) skills. And that’s just for starters. Because Canadians spend their lives using and learning the language, their mastery goes far beyond classroom skills. This is true of every language; if it is your mother tongue, then you spend your whole life reading, listening and conversing in it. You learn not just dictionary definitions, but also any hidden meanings and implications of the words you use.

If you’re an engineer or an architect, you can pick up courses and essential skills to become licensed and start practicing your profession. But the path is not as clear for writers. Many foreign journalists who have lived in Canada for ten years or more, still do not have the fluency and confidence in English required to resume their original careers.

Canadian Newcomer Magazine’s new assistant editor and ESL columnist Claudio Muñoz – who has only been speaking English for a year – recently discovered a unique program for foreign trained writers and journalists at Sheridan College. And we are pleased to be able to present these new voices to the readers of this magazine, not just because it gives them a chance to practice and gain Canadian credentials in their field, but also because they have all experienced the frustration of being unable to immediately continue their careers in Canada. So when they talk to you about career transitions and survival jobs, you know they are speaking from experience.

In this issue, we would also like to thank our cover model, Chawn Abraham who works as a receptionist at vpi Career Exploration Employment Preparation in Scarborough. The cover would also not have been possible without the help of Chawn’s manager, Lois Dixon, who cut through the red tape and provided a warm welcome for us at their office.

This is not the first time Canadian Newcomer Magazine has received help of this sort from the settlement sector. Ann-Marie McGregor of OCASI/Settlement.Org was our cover model for Issue 3 and ACCES Communication Director Shawn Mintz (and his wife and daughter) graced the cover of Issue 13.

Dale Sproule, Editor

CNMag apologizes for the following mistakes and omissions from Issue 16:

The correct spelling of the name of cover photographer is Sami Siva.

St Christopher House was omitted in the Settlement Service directory. From their head office at 248 Ossington Ave. they administer settlement programs at several locations throughout the city, including a supportive housing program, children, youth and family support programs and more.

Centre for Information and Community Services of Ontario (CICS) was omitted from Employment Services. They’re located at 403-3850 Finch Ave. E.,Toronto 416-292-7510. They have resource centre facilities and offer Job Search Workshops. You’ll find more information on their website www.cicscanada.com.

The following information was omitted in the Flemingdon Neighbourhood Services listing in the Settlement Directory:
information and referral services for newcomers, services for women in abusive relationships, drop-in centre, youth and children’s programs, income tax clinic, settlement services and advocacy for immigrants and newcomers, volunteer and outreach programs. East York/Flemingdon Park Housing Help Centre offers assistance with housing issues.