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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 31, 2008 - 7 Sheridan's ELT graduates ready for next challenge By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER There are numerous barriers associated with finding employment in a new country, but the students enrolled in Sheridan College's Enhanced Language Training (ELT) program are keen on breaking them -- one at a time. Their achievements were recognized Dec. 20 during a graduation gathering at the Sheridan Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals on Iroquois Shore Road. The students were the first to graduate from the new program. "I'm very proud of the people in the room," said Dean Richard Finch, Workforce Development, calling the students courageous for completing the program. "When I was a young man, my father said to me, `You know Richard, courage is not doing things blindly and just taking risks. Courage is about recognizing your fear, assessing the risks and then acting.' I recognize, standing here, that you've taken a huge, huge step despite the fear that you've got." Maria Clara Bruzual For the past several months, the 35 accountants and journalists enrolled in the program were put through intensive language, computer and Canadian workplace skills training. "We have learned a lot in a short period of time. The way the students bonded inside the program demonstrated the environment of the Canadian workplace and integrated it very nicely," said Sarwar Saeed, a student from the accounting program. Judith Bond, curriculum developer, said students met in the evenings twice a week and all day Saturday. The ELT program is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and is free of charge. Individuals seeking to participate in the program can take a 12-week general English course. There are also specific diploma programs that cater to individuals with international accounting, journalism or early childhood education (ECE) credentials. Though these programs are offered in institutions throughout Canada, Sheridan College is unique because it has developed condensed, one or two-year programs to correspond with those offered by the ELT specific courses. Saeed praised the initiative, but wished the college's diploma program was also free because many students cannot afford the tuition. Still, most of the graduates have applied to the college's programs and are anticipating acceptance. For Maria Clara Bruzual, who came to Canada from Venezuela, the ELT program has proven to be a challenging, yet enjoyable experience. Bruzual came to Canada two years ago, after being kidnapped in Venezuela. Though she has a background in public relations and advertising, she felt she needed to improve her English. When investigating English courses at Sheridan, she learned about the ELT program and filled out the forms immediately. "It's totally difficult, but I'm trying to bring my experience from back home to here," she said, referring to the contributions she made in the classroom and what she hopes to bring to the Sheridan journalism program. ADDITIONAL 15% OFF ADDITIONAL 10% OFF Shop Saturday and take an Shop Sunday and take an Shop Friday and take an RETAIL & WHOLESALE LIGHTING ADDITIONAL 5% OFF on already reduced suits & sportcoats Boxing Week Sale CONTINUES Save up to * 50 % 50-70% OFF SUITS & SPORTCOATS this weekend only OFF on all in stock items EARLY BIRD SPECIAL FREE $25 gift card to the first 50 g customers on Sat. January 3rd* Ermenegildo Zegna was $1495 Arnold Brant Velvet was $698 Arnold Brant Cashmere was $998 NOW ONLY $499 NOW ONLY $199 Ermenegildo Zegna by Coppley was $898 NOW ONLY $299 NOW ONLY $299 Reg $88125 Sale $785 NOW $624 $ Featuring lighting from 550 DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE Trump Home · Troy · Hudson Valley · Stonegate Design · Heidle and much more 183 Lakeshore Road East · 905.845.8911 MON-WED 9-6 · THU-FRI 9-8 SAT 9-6 · SUN 12-5 Oakville's Finest LIGHTING STORE ELEGANT www.conceptlighting.ca DISTINCTIVE 243 Speers Road · Between Kerr & Dorval · Oakville, ON 905.849.LITE (5483) * Cannot be combined with any other offer. Limited quantities. Offer does not include special orders. Free parking at the rear of store *purchase required, gift card redeemable after January 4th www.garveys.ca