Professional Communications
Overview
The following courses are designed for professionals already in the workplace and focus on improving oral and/or written skills. They are college-level credit English courses specific to the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training. There are no prerequisites. A strong command of English is recommended.
For Academic-stream courses, please refer to English Skills - College Level Courses.
Courses
A strong command of English is recommended
With a focus on practical, transferable skills, this professional development course introduces students to the basic formats and principles of business communication. Emphasis is placed on the kinds of questions that business writers must ask when approaching any writing task: What is my purpose for writing? For whom is it intended? How much information do I need to include? How successfully have I accomplished my goal? Are my grammar and syntax correct?
A strong command of English is recommended
Designed to meet the needs of business people who want to improve their written and verbal communication abilities, this course provides practical skills in writing core business documents and presenting information in a variety of settings.
A strong command of English is required.
This course is designed to meet the needs of business people who need to improve their presentation skills, their one-on-one verbal communication, and their ability to instruct, inform, motivate, and sell their ideas in the office or around the boardroom table.
A grade 12 level of English is strongly recommended.
This course teaches important skills for effective written and oral communications of technical information. It distinguishes between academic and technical (job-related) writing and guides the students through proven steps to enhance the effectiveness of their various written technical communications. The course also provides a practical approach for planning and structuring technical oral presentations. Students get to use this approach and to practise the techniques taught.
Intermediate level ESL speaker
This intermediate level Accent Reduction course is designed for students who may have difficulty communicating clearly and effectively in spoken English. The course helps students with accent reduction through the identification of specific pronunciation problems. In this level, students learn correct pronunciation of English vowel and consonant sounds, as well as spelling patterns through the use of an English dictionary.
Advanced level ESL speaker
This advanced level Accent Reduction course is designed for students who are fluent in English but wish to acquire a more standardized North American speech pattern. The second level of Access Reduction emphasizes the development of sound production, rhythm, stress and intonation patterns in "real life" communicative contexts.
ESL932 or equivalent, or permission from coordinator.
In this course, students develop proficient editing skills that enable them to identify grammatical weaknesses in their own writing. Through a focus on error analysis and guided practice, students will learn to become independent self-editors and be able to apply the strategies acquired beyond the duration of this course.
Improv is a non-traditional way for business professionals to refine their interpersonal skills. The ability to communicate effectively, think on your feet and work well with a team can determine success in business. This course focuses on the skills needed to be highly effective in organizations through confidence building improvisational techniques. It is designed to encourage risk taking and to accept failures by building on the ideas of others in a collaborative creative problem solving effort. Participants learn how to better handle stressful situations, overcome shyness, handle awkward moments and communicate more powerfully.
Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
Earn college credits for what you already know!
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Many students who enter Seneca College will have earned academic credits in post-secondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca College program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
More Information
Please visit the Degree and Credit Transfer Office.
Learning Modes
In-class:
The course will be taught in a traditional classroom instructional mode. A variety of methods will be used to aid the student in acquiring the required knowledge to meet the outcome of this course.
Online:
The course will be delivered via the internet. This involves the use of the online materials and/or a text, possible group discussions and consultation with your instructor via email. Students will be responsible for completing all online activities and participating in group discussion and working through textbook questions, as required.
Hybrid:
Delivery is mixed, blending face-to-face instructions and facilitating out of classroom experiences and/or online instructions.
Correspondence:
Correspondence is a self-paced method of learning, supported with email access to an instructor. As a student, you have up to twenty weeks to complete each course, giving you an additional six weeks over the classroom format. Courses typically start the first week of the month. Faculty are available to assist you by fax or email. You can discuss a plan of study with your faculty contact to ensure an appropriate assignment and test schedule. In some cases this may be included in your study guide. You schedule yourself into a Test Centre or appoint a proctor in order to write required tests.
Program Contacts
Contact us via this form or using the phone number(s) below it.
Jennifer Stemerdink
Program Assistant (ESP courses only)
416-491-5050 ext.22507
Marianne Tang
Program Assistant (EAC and PRC courses only)
416-491-5050 ext.22685
Melanie Rubens
Program Coordinator
416-491-5050 ext.22589