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Hi, it’s Dozie!
Welcome to today’s From the Editor.
In today’s newsletter: The Canadian workplace survival guide is live.
Also in the news: Canada targets H-1B workers and researchers while cutting temporary arrivals; Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism boom runs into a labour bottleneck.
Plus, in today’s French in Canada: Nishant Anand on how to prep for the reading section of the French exam.
See past issues here.
The Canadian workplace survival guide is live
This series has been about nine months in the making. Or more like 5+ years in the making, since the day I accepted my first job offer in Canada and realized that while I knew how to do the job, I still needed to adapt to the Canadian workplace.
There are the unwritten rules, the famous Canadian politeness, cultural norms, and all the various nuances that can make the difference between keeping your job and losing it in the first 90 days.
If you're like me, you probably figured out some of this stuff the hard way, after misunderstandings, awkward silences, or feedback that makes zero sense.
But if you haven’t, or still have, some parts that leave you scratching your head (I mean, I still don’t fully get parts of the work culture, five years in), then you gotta bookmark this 11-part video series. It covers:
Unwritten workplace rules such as email etiquette, meeting participation norms, and Canada’s approach to office hierarchy.
Frameworks such as the SHAPE™ framework that help you understand why your Canadian colleagues seem "too polite."
How to handle workplace misunderstandings before they escalate.
How to handle your first performance review.
And loads of other resources on mentoring and networking.
If you've ever struggled to strike the right tone, hesitated before hitting send, or left a meeting wondering what just happened...this guide is for you. And if you know someone who might find them helpful, please send them the link.
Take me to the Canadian workplace survival guide ⬇️
From our newsroom
Canada targets H-1B workers and researchers while cutting temporary arrivals. Ottawa is reserving immigration space for specialized workers and funding universities to recruit global researchers, but its proposed H-1B pathway remains closed pending detailed rules. — Full article here
Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism boom runs into a labour bottleneck. Permanent immigration programs have helped tourism businesses fill year-round roles, but their job requirements leave seasonal operators reliant on a temporary expansion of the foreign-worker program. — Full article here
French in Canada with Nishant Anand
Q: How do I work on my reading? I don’t know what to study.
The reading section of the French exam is straightforward and organized. There are 39 questions, and each one usually comes with its own text or article. You read a text and then answer the related question or questions.
The texts in the exam start out short and practical, like signboards, invitation letters, notices, announcements, ads, or tourist posters. As you move through the exam, the texts get longer and more complex. Later texts might include literary references, book extracts, or passages about topics such as technology, the environment, education, society, or current issues.
From what I’ve seen in French exam materials, the people who create these tests often focus on topics like:
Environment and climate change
Technology and artificial intelligence
Urbanisation
Society and social change
Education
Construction and housing
Gender equality and discrimination
The internet and social media
Overconsumption and consumerism
Sustainable development
Learning about these topics will help you understand different subjects and become familiar with many types of writing and text formats.
What should you read?
There are many resources out there, but it’s a good idea to read a variety of things such as:
Magazine articles such as Sciences Humaines, Philosophie Magazine, and others.
Newspaper articles including Le Figaro, Le Monde, and others.
For online articles and local news, you can search using the term « faits divers » to browse the articles that appear in local newspapers. For instance, LyonMag frequently publishes this kind of content.
There’s a lot of material online, so take advantage of it.
Make reading part of your daily routine
I recommend setting aside 30 to 45 minutes each day to read in French. Try to read at least one article and make sure you really understand it instead of just reading quickly from start to finish. There are many advantages to developing this habit.
You’ll slowly get better at understanding different topics and feel more comfortable with the vocabulary that comes up.
You’ll start forming your own ideas and opinions on different subjects. This will really help when you need to write an argumentative text, since you’ll already have examples, arguments, and useful vocabulary.
Reading out loud can help you with pronunciation and fluency. The more you read, the more familiar you’ll get with French sentence structure, rhythm, and how words sound.
One important point about reading aloud
When you read, focus on being clear instead of reading fast. Don’t rush. Try to pronounce each word as clearly and accurately as you can.
You don’t need to stress about copying a specific French accent or reading very quickly. The goal is to speak clearly, build confidence, and sound natural.
So take your time, read clearly, and try to make reading in French a daily habit. Just 30 to 45 minutes a day can make a big difference in the long run.
Want more? Start your French journey with Nishant
Newsletter writer: Dozie Anyaegbunam
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