B11: What is Your CQ?…Enhancing Cultural Intelligence in a Multicultural Setting
As Canada, and particularly Ontario, becomes increasingly multicultural, we often do not know what we don’t know about other cultures. Although we are aware of other cultures we often see them through our own “cultural eyes.” This interactive workshop will look at the concept of “Cultural Intelligence” and provide participants with tools for improving group dynamics in a multicultural setting. It will cover the settlement process, including an understanding of the dynamics of recognizing and managing culture shock. This workshop would be helpful for front line workers doing needs assessments and settlement action plans, as well as supervisors, coordinators and managers working in a settlement environment.
Melissa Pedersen is currently the ISAP Coordinator at The Centre for Skills Development & Training. She has had over twenty five years experience working with Nnwcomers and English language skills development. She has been a LINC/ESL Instructor, a corporate and workplace facilitator, has coordinated The Centre’s ELT program since 2004, and The Centre’s settlement programs for almost three years. Over the past several years, Melissa has presented various workshops at the TESL Ontario and affiliates Conferences, the ELT and Higher Level Learning Conferences and the ISAP Conferences.
Peter Cory is currently a Settlement Information Specialist and Job Search Workshops Assessor at The Centre for Skills Development & Training. Peter has previous experience as an ESL instructor to students and teachers in Canada and abroad, and has developed LINC/ESL and Settlement resources for newcomers in Canada. Peter is the author of “The LINC Companion” and “The Newcomer Companion”.
