Training & Coaching Programs

Optima Communications providing Coaching & Training

Training & Coaching

Comprehensive & Customized
Optima Communications provides comprehensive assessment, training and coaching programs to empower your communication skills. Training conveniently takes place on-site in the workplace or virtually and is available for individuals and groups.
  • Accent Modification – The Accent on Canadian English (ACE) Program™
    This 16 week (30 hour) program assists English as a second-language (ESL) professionals to speak English more clearly and confidently.
  • Accent Modification Training Online – The Accent on Clear English™ (ACE) eCourse
    This 14-week online training program assists English as a second-language (ESL) speakers to be clear and confident speakers.
  • Effective Communication in the Canadian Workplace
    This 12-week (24 hour) customized program is designed for foreign trained professionals who want a better understanding of Canadian culture and preferred communication styles.
  • Empowered Communication Training Program
    This is a 12-week (24 hour) customized program. Participants learn  powerful communication strategies for effective listening and speaking during meetings, presentations, and everyday interactions.
  • Customized Communication Coaching 
    We provide a comprehensive needs assessment and customize the coaching or training to best meet the unique needs of each individual or group.
  • Customized recordings of workplace terminology 
    Optima Communications can provide you with custom recordings so you can practice your English listening and speaking skills often and at any time.

Accent Modification- The Accent on Canadian English (ACE) Program™

Accent Modification

The Accent on Canadian English (ACE) Program™
The ACE Program™ assists professionals who speak English as a second language (ESL) to speak clearly by correctly pronouncing the speech sounds and stress patterns of English. The purpose of accent reduction is not to eliminate an accent but rather to be clearly understood and more confident speaking English. All ACE Training is customized to the identified needs of the individual or group.

Improved pronunciation results in:

  • Increased productivity
  • Speech that is easily understood by others
  • Confidence in speaking
  • Increased understanding of conversational English
  • Improved levels of customer/client satisfaction
  • Effective and efficient teamwork
  • Fewer miscommunications and misunderstandings
  • Employee retention
  • Advancement in the workplace
  • Increased workplace safety
Accent Modification - Canadian English language program
Check out Optima Communication's Accent Modification (ACE) program

Accent or pronunciation need not be a sensitive topic in the workplace. Pronunciation is quite simply, a component of language learning that can be enhanced if desired. Accent reduction helps clients “unlearn” old established pronunciation patterns and “relearn” new and accurate ways of pronouncing English.

The recommended length of ACE training is a minimum of sixteen weeks. In sixteen weeks significant changes in speech patterns are observed. Participants have a firm foundation for accurate speech sound production. They also have the knowledge to continue practicing and improving on their own once the training sessions are complete.

The Comprehensive 16 Week Training Program Includes:

  • Individual pronunciation assessment for each participant (week 1).
  • Written summary of client’s specific pronunciation difficulties.
  • Personalized goal setting.
  • Accent on Canadian English Program (Book & Audio).
  • Fourteen weeks of customized training (2 hours per week).
  • Individual pronunciation post assessment and consultation (week 16).
  • Development of ongoing personal pronunciation plans.

ACE Pronunciation Training is used effectively with all first languages and is available for individuals and small groups.

ACE Advanced™ is for participants who completed the 16 week ACE Training Program and who want to continue improving their pronunciation. ACE Advanced™ is facilitated weekly or biweekly (12 two hour sessions). Level 1 and Level 2 are available. Please contact info@optimacomm.com for more detailed information.

  • All assessment and training is provided by a registered speech-language pathologist with specialized training in accent modification.
  • Please contact info@optimacomm.com for individual and group training fees. Rates vary according to the number of participants and total number of hours in the training program. Individual training starts at $165.00/hr.
  • Eligible employers can apply for funding through the Canada Alberta Job Grant; if approved, the grant reimburses 2/3 of the ACE Training cost.
  • Most extended health benefits plans have some coverage for speech-language pathology services. Check with your Benefits Coordinator at work.
  • Individual virtual sessions are available.

Testimonials

“Lisa is an expert in training individuals to adapt and change their accents to make them easier to understand by their clients, families, friends and co-workers. I have used Lisa’s skills and her book in aiding foreign medical graduates coming to Canada for additional specialized training. Her compassion, genuine interest and skill in aiding her clients to be the best they can be is admirable. I highly recommend Lisa!!”

Annette Stanwick, Former VP Medical Affairs-Gimbel Eye Centre

“I cannot speak highly enough about how great Lisa and the ACE modification program were. Lisa customized the program according to my needs, which combined several one-on-one, in-person meetings in Calgary at my workplace – it cannot get any more convenient than that. My results were noticed by many co-workers as well as extended family. They all complimented me on how much clearer I sounded. This training exceeded my expectations and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is serious about improving their communication skills and further their career.”

Marconi Oliveira, BA CRM

Corporate clients include:

Accent Modification Training Online – Accent on Clear English™ (ACE) eCourse

Learn English Online with Accent on Clear English eCourse

ACE™ Training Online

Accent on Clear English™ (ACE) eCourse
We know that face-to-face ACE™ accent modification training isn't an option for everyone. ACE™ Training is now available as an online course! Improve your English pronunciation with 14 weekly pronunciation modules and work on them at your own pace. The result will be that you are more clearly understood and confident speaking English. Maybe you will even get that promotion you deserve!

Why ACE™ Training Online?

IT’S EFFECTIVE

ACE™ Pronunciation Training is a proven to help you reduce your accent. Each of the 14 comprehensive training modules includes high impact pronunciation goals and strategies. These modules were created by Lisa Bjerke, a speech language pathologist with 30 years of experience in accent modification. Practice the module content and notice a significant decrease in degree of perceived accent.

IT’S CONVENIENT

The ACE™ Training Modules can be worked on at your convenience and at your own pace. Membership includes life time access to the module content. . You no longer need to schedule training sessions for specific days and times. Practice whenever and wherever suits you best.

IT’S AFFORDABLE

We know that direct training with a speech language pathologist isn’t available to everyone. The fee for ACE™ Online Training is significantly lower than for individual direct training. Whether you’re looking for a promotion at work or simply want to be clearly understood, acetraining.online is an affordable resource for personal and professional development.

It’s One of a Kind

ACE™ Training Online is the only comprehensive accent reduction program designed for Canadian English. Whether you’re living in Canada or plan to move to Canada- you can get a jumpstart on speaking English more clearly.

Improved pronunciation skills result in:

  • Increased productivity
  • Effective and efficient teamwork
  • Mutual respect and understanding
  • Increased confidence
  • Improved levels of customer/client satisfaction
  • Fewer misunderstandings or conflicts
  • Advancement in the workplace
  • Employee retention
ACE™ Training Online ecourses

To find out more visit the ACE Training Online website and register today!

Effective Communication in the Canadian Workplace™

Improve your workplace communication skills

Effective Communication in the Canadian Workplace™

(ECCW) Training Program™
The ECCW Program™ helps professionals who speak English as a second language (ESL) to communicate effectively in the Canadian workplace. Be successful in all your interactions. Learn how to avoid potential misunderstandings and be a respected team player. Every culture has its own unique way of communicating that relies on an understanding of appropriate verbal and non-verbal language. These communication "rules" are not always obvious.

Effective Communication Results in:

  • Increased productivity
  • Effective and efficient teamwork
  • Mutual respect and understanding
  • Increased confidence
  • Improved levels of customer/client satisfaction
  • Fewer misunderstandings or conflicts
  • Advancement in the workplace
  • Employee retention

The ECCW Program™ runs for 12 weeks (one weekly two hour session). Training is facilitated on-site in the workplace for added convenience. Participants will acquire a good understanding of how to communicate effectively in the Canadian workplace. Their listening skills will improve along with the ability to verbalize more clearly. Participants will also have the knowledge and tools to continue improving their communication skills once the ECCW Program™ is complete. The ECCW Program™ is available for individuals and groups.

All training is provided by a registered speech-language pathologist

Funding may be accessed through the Canada Alberta Job Grant. Employers apply for this funding and it can cover up to 2/3 of the training cost.

Please contact info@optimacomm.com for more information. Grant information and downloadable application forms are available here.

“Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” Brian Tracy
Empower your communication in the workplace
doctor patient communications

As an international medical graduate, I learned a great deal from Lisa. She is an excellent mentor and coach. My accent improved in a short period of time and I know what to keep practicing to continue improving. I also benefited greatly from training regarding Canadian culture and how to communicate successfully. These skills will assist me in my practice as a physician.

Dr. Nadia Azam

Empowered Communication

Empowered Communication Training Program™

EC Training Program™
The Empowered Communication Training Program™ helps participants to be more effective listeners and speakers. Learn powerful and effective strategies to facilitate clear communication and avoid potential misunderstandings or conflict. Use the empowered communication strategies to build trust and respect with colleagues, as you go about your day-to-day business.

Empowered Communication Results in:

  • Increased productivity
  • Effective and efficient teamwork
  • Mutual trust and respect
  • Increased confidence
  • Increased emotional intelligence
  • Improved levels of customer/client satisfaction
  • Fewer misunderstandings or conflicts
  • Effective management of difficult conversations
  • Conflict resolution
  • Advancement in the workplace
  • Increased employee retention

The EC Training Program™ is 12 weeks in duration with one weekly session (2 hours). Participants will gain a good understanding of how to listen and speak effectively. They will also have the knowledge to continue enhancing their communication skills once the program is complete. The EC Training Program™ is appropriate for all employees and managers who want to empower their communication skills

Empowered Communication Program at Optima Communications

Customized Programs

Customized Programs

Enhance your communication skills
Optima Communications offers customized coaching programs

Customized Communication Coaching

Improve your communication skills with coaching. Coaching is customized to meet the specific needs of each individual or group. Improve aspects of communication that are important to you, including presentation skills.

Contact info@optimacomm.com for a free corporate consultation.

Ask about Optima's custom recordings of Canadian English workplace vocabulary and terminology

Customized Recordings
of Workplace Terminology

Optima Communications can provide you with custom recordings, so you can practice your English listening and speaking skills as times and places that suit you best.  Communicate clearly and effectively in person and on the phone. Learn to accurately pronounce terminology and phrases needed in your profession. Improve your pronunciation of English sounds and stress and intonation patterns as you practice with these custom recordings.

Contact info@optimacomm.com for more information.