ESL Jigsaws

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Posted by Nancy Callan on 16 February 2013 | 3 Comments

Tags: Canada, citizenship, rights and freedoms, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, intermediate ESL, discussion, conversation, ESL, EAL, ELL

Discussion of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms can make for an interesting lesson in an intermediate ESL class. Students often assume freedom of expression is the right to say anything about any person or about the government. Here’s where you can let them know about libel laws and Canada’s Hate Speech Laws. Unlike the United States, the Criminal Code of Canada prevents “hate propaganda”. Is this a good thing? Why do we have those laws?

Freedom of religion is not something that exists in all of our immigrant ESL students’ home countries. Falun Gong is an example of a religion that is banned in China. Should all religions be allowed?

That all Canadians have the right to be free from discrimination is a right that most immigrants appreciate. What it means in practice, however, is often something that surprises our students. Does it mean that if you are a landlord you cannot decide which ethnicity of people you want to rent your apartment to? What about if you are running a business? Isn’t it up to you if you prefer to hire one gender over another for a specific position? 

I’ve put together a worksheet to use as a springboard for discussion on this topic, which you are welcome to download and copy for use with an intermediate ESL class. Click on the image below to view it large on your computer.

I also found a Rights and Freedoms listening exercise on another site, which may be of use: http://esl.bowvalleycollege.ca/listen/mp3/charter.html