A Guide to Canadian Culture and Language for Newcomers

By Elena Artemeva

"A Guide to Canadian Culture and Language for Newcomers" is a concise and informative guide for those who have recently immigrated to Canada or consider it as a potential country for relocation. It provides essential information to help readers understand Canadian culture, society, infrastructure, and communication. The book highlights the challenges immigrants may face in adapting to a new country, particularly in terms of language proficiency and cultural differences. By offering practical tips and insights, this guide empowers readers to navigate their new lives in Canada with confidence and achieve their goals of integration and citizenship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Artemeva
• Release date: Jul 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223091646

Book preview

1. Introduction

Who is this guide for? What will you learn from it? Guide limitations.

As the title implies, this guide is intended for those who have recently arrived in Canada, plan to stay here for a long time, and aspire to become citizens of this wonderful country. It is also designed for those who are considering Canada as a country for immigration and want to know what to expect.

I moved to Canada in 2016. Despite having visited the country a year before and having read a lot about it, I would have liked to know more about it in advance than I did when I received my landing documents at the airport in Toronto. In this course, I have gathered information that will help you understand Canada and prepare for what awaits you there. Information is never too much, especially when it comes to such a serious and life-changing experience as immigration.

Success and the speed of adaptation in a new country depend on knowing its culture and understanding its inhabitants. However, this takes time, and a poor knowledge of the local language makes this task even more challenging. Canadian culture differs from the cultures of many Eastern European or Asian countries, so new immigrants often find themselves unable to achieve their goals, even though they seem to leave no stone unturned. They struggle to find good employment, integrate into their workplace, get along with neighbors, and make new friends.

Cultural norms differ in different countries, and what is considered polite in one culture may be seen as rudeness in another. For example, in some countries, it is customary to arrive later than the appointed time for meetings, while punctuality is highly valued in Canada.

Even those who have lived in Canada for a long time and speak English well face similar problems. I saw this when teaching a course on effective communication for government officials in Manitoba. Employees with different cultural background who had been working in the same position for 15-20 years, experienced difficulties of a personal and professional nature, to the extent of facing the threat of dismissal because they did not adhere to the Canadian cultural code. Below, I will provide more detailed examples of such cases in the section on workplace behavior.

Thus, the goal of this course is to provide an understanding of the cultural norms of Canada, which, no matter how strange or illogical they may seem to you, are commonly shared and should be followed for successful adaptation in the country. The course contains only specific information that you will be able to use in your everyday life. It a cultural map that will guide you in your immigration journey.

The course covers topics such as Canadian cultural values and lifestyle, everyday communication, the job market, workplace communication, the differences between Canada and the United States, as well as conversational words and phrases that you can easily use, even if you don't speak English at all. It will provide you with essential knowledge about Canadian culture and communication rules that will be useful from your very first day in the new country. Using them, you will be able to:

These skills will allow you to understand Canadians and establish rapport with them. You will also understand what they expected of you, how to quickly find your place in Canadian society, and enjoy life in Canada to the fullest.

This guide does not replace the settlement courses that are offered free of charge to new immigrants in all provinces and provide practical information specific to different cities. I recommend taking advantage of these courses as soon as you arrive in Canada. Please also keep in mind that everything discussed here does not apply to every individual Canadian. It is general information about Canadian culture and traditions shared by the majority of Canadians.

2. Politeness and small talk

Sorry does not seem to be the hardest word. What is small talk and why is it necessary? Etiquette in elevators and lines. How to start a conversation with a Canadian. Basic expressions for small talk, requests, and questions.

Politeness

Soon after I arrived in Winnipeg in 2016, I bought a sweatshirt from H&M. There was a print I am sorry I am not sorry, which seemed quite neutral to me, but Canadians who saw me in this outfit smiled and said compliments about the sweatshirt. For them, it was funny and smart, and now I know why.

Canadians are considered a very polite