Working GROUPS

With so much happening in the sector on a range of issues, it helps to connect with others to exchange information and ideas as part of a peer-sharing platform. ARAISA regional groups identify gaps and current issues and work on concrete solutions as well as on advocacy. They also are a great opportunity for participants in Atlantic Canada to share knowledge and promising practices in their area of expertise.

ARAISA currently leads 4 working groups but other groups are being considered and will be announced as they are established.

If you would like to join a working group or get more information, contact Zahra Bazzi, Manager, Programs and Services, at zbazzi@araisa.ca or 1-902-431-3207

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PBLA

The Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) working group is a place where lead instructors and other language staff from agencies and institutions implementing PBLA in the Atlantic region can come together in an online format to share and learn from each other. The group meets monthly between September and June and covers topics such as placement policies, reporting, portfolio management, and accountability.

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COMMUNICATIONS HUB

The Communications Hub is a networking space for communications staff of ARAISA member organizations. Participants meet monthly to share experiences, best practices, issues, solutions and tips. By doing that, this group aims at finding new and effective ways to communicate to different audiences in the Settlement and Integration sector. This hub is also a way to stay up-to-date with the latest marketing and communication trends.

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EAL LITERACY

This working group brings together literacy instructors and program administrators from organizations in Atlantic Canada providing programming to English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners. Working with EAL literacy learners, those with 6 years or fewer of formal education can be a daunting task and one that requires a lot of patience, dedication, and skill. Through monthly on-line meetings, group members will identify issues and exchange good practices, explore approaches for working with multiple levels of learners and sub-groups with specific needs, consider strategies for in-class support for instructors, and discuss multiple other topics related to programming.

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REGIONAL SETTLEMENT WORKING GROUP

The Regional Settlement working group is a discussion group of organizations providing settlement and integration services to newcomers comprised of managers, frontline staff, and team leads from ARAISA member organizations across the Atlantic Region. The group meets monthly to share experiences and good practices, identify common concerns and mobilize around solutions where necessary.

There are many online groups that also exist on SettleNet.org. Check them out, there are sure to be some that interest you! (Please note that you will need to log in to access the resources.)

“I find it very helpful to share resources and ideas with other programs. Members of the group have also been very helpful at answering programming questions both during and outside of our meetings. It is great to have contacts from other organizations.”

“I find that the sharing of information between programs has been beneficial in terms of support, realizing common challenges and learning how other programs operate within PBLA. There is always something to be learned and, maybe, some ideas can be applied to the benefit of our own centre.”