Students are provided with ongoing English language instruction and support as they acquire the skills of a Health Care Assistant. Reading, writing, and interactive communication (listening and speaking) skills are taught concurrently and in conjunction with topics in the Health Care Assistant Level 1 curriculum. Students develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through activities and real-world communicative tasks relevant to the healthcare setting and aligned with the performance outcomes at the target Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels (Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6). Through the development of these skills, students are able to understand and discuss course concepts, materials, and procedures. Students develop interpersonal professional communication skills in class and in clinical with an emphasis on clear and appropriate speaking and effective listening. Throughout the course, students also increase their awareness of workplace expectations, environments and appropriate language. Upon completion of ELSK 0701, students have the communication skills required to provide personal care for clients in a complex care setting and to interact with clients and health team members.
Prerequisites
Course type
This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.
- 1. Writing development (clarity; organization; sentence structure; mechanics) 2. Writing for the HCA professional (emails, charts, shift report, documentation) 3. Reading for the HCA professional (charts, instructions, emails) 4. Reading Assignments (Health Care Assistant Level 1 textbook topics) 5. Reading and vocabulary learning strategies 6. Strategies for effective communication within a complex care setting 7. Medical and professional terminology for HCA Level 1 (meaning, use, and pronunciation) 8. Giving and following direction (acknowledging; clarifying; confirming; responding) 9. Giving and receiving shift reports for complex care settings (summarizing, restating; explaining) 10. Communication skills (including intercultural communication)
Course schedules
Select your program to see the available course schedules.
How to take this course
This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].
† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.