{"componentChunkName":"component---node-modules-berlitz-gatsby-theme-blitz-src-layouts-base-layout-index-jsx","path":"/en-ca/blog/breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta-overcoming-linguistic-classism","result":{"data":{"blitzConfig":{"pluginOptions":{"DISABLE_COURSE_WIZARD":false,"DISABLE_PREFIX":false,"FORM_ENDPOINT":"https://api.berlitz.tech/v2/forms","REGION":"ca","DEFAULT_LOCALE":"en-ca"}},"navigation":{"phone_number":[{"title":"Nationwide Number","phone_number":"1-855-865-0548","phone_description":"<p><br /></p>","link_format":null,"external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Calgary","phone_number":"1 (403) 265-3850","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Edmonton","phone_number":"1 (855) 865-0548","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Kelowna","phone_number":"1 (855) 865-0548","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Montreal","phone_number":"+1 (514) 288-3111","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Ottawa","phone_number":"1 (613) 234-8686","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Regina","phone_number":"1 (855) 865-0548","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Toronto","phone_number":"1 (647) 352-2076","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Vaughan","phone_number":"1 (647) 352-2076","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Victoria","phone_number":"1 (855) 865-0548","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Vancouver","phone_number":"1 (604) 685-9331","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null},{"title":"Winnipeg","phone_number":"1 (855) 865-0548","phone_description":"","link_format":"phone","external_link_title":"","external_link_icon":null}],"multiple_phone_button":"","phone_modal_footer":"","custom_sticky_cta":[{"internal_link":[],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}}],"main_nav_items":[{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Languages","anchor_link":"","link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Languages","url":"/en-ca/languages"}],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Languages","href":"/en-ca/languages"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"All languages"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"English","href":"/en-ca/languages/english"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"French","href":"/en-ca/languages/french"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Arabic","href":"/en-ca/languages/arabic"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"German","href":"/en-ca/languages/german"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Italian","href":"/en-ca/languages/italian"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Japanese","href":"/en-ca/languages/japanese"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Korean","href":"/en-ca/languages/korean"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Mandarin","href":"/en-ca/languages/mandarin"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Portuguese","href":"/en-ca/languages/portuguese"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Russian","href":"/en-ca/languages/russian"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Spanish","href":"/en-ca/languages/spanish"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":""}}]}},{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Adults","anchor_link":"","link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Adults","url":"/en-ca/adults"}],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Adults","href":"/en-ca/adults"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"All adult courses"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"In-person","href":"/en-ca/adults/in-person"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"In-person"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Online","href":"/en-ca/adults/online"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Online"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Study in Canada","href":"/en-ca/adults/study-in-canada"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Study in Canada"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Testing & assessment","href":"/en-ca/business/testing-assessment"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Testing and assessment"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"TEF Preparation","href":"/en-ca/adults/tef-canada"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"TEF Canada"}}]}},{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Kids and teens","anchor_link":"","link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Kids and teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens"}],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Kids and teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"All kids and teens courses"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Online courses for kids & teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/online"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Online language classes"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Private courses for kids & teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/private-tutoring"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Private tutoring"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"English for kids & teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/english"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"English"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"French for kids & teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/french"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"French"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Spanish for kids & teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/spanish"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Spanish"}}]}},{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Corporate","anchor_link":"","link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Business services","url":"/en-ca/business"}],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Business services","href":"/en-ca/business"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"All business services"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Language training","href":"/en-ca/business/language-training"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Language training"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Cultural Navigator","href":"/en-ca/business/cultural-navigator"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"The Cultural Navigator"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Testing & assessment","href":"/en-ca/business/testing-assessment"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Testing and assessment"}}]}},{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Government","anchor_link":"","link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Government Programs","url":"/en-ca/government-programs"}],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Government Programs","href":"/en-ca/government-programs"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"All Government programs"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"SLE Preparation","href":"/en-ca/sle"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"SLE Preparation"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Languages for Government training","href":"/en-ca/languages-for-government-training"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Language training for Government "}}]}},{"nav_item":null,"dropdown":{"title":"Get in touch","anchor_link":"","link":[],"sub_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Contact","href":"/en-ca/contact"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Contact"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Language schools","href":"/en-ca/language-schools"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Language schools"}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Careers","href":"/en-ca/careers"}],"anchor_link":"","external_link":{"href":"","title":"Careers"}}]}},{"nav_item":{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Shop","href":"/en-ca/shop"}],"anchor_link":"Shop","external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},"dropdown":null},{"nav_item":{"internal_link":[],"anchor_link":"spt-en","external_link":{"title":"Language test","href":"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/short-placement-test"}},"dropdown":null}],"secondary_links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Language schools","href":"/en-ca/language-schools"}],"external_link":{"title":"Find a language school","href":""},"show_on_mobile":false},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Contact","href":"/en-ca/contact"}],"external_link":{"title":"Contact us","href":""},"show_on_mobile":false}]},"settings":{"cookiesBanner":[{"bannerEnabled":false,"bannerText":"<p></p>\n<p><br />This website uses cookies to optimize your browser’s functionality. <a href=\"/en-ca/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\">Please check how we use cookies</a> and how you can change your settings online.</p><br /><p></p>","buttonText":"Got it"}],"notFoundSettings":[{"title":"404","subtitle":"Page not found","content":"<p>We’re all for adventure… but this one has led you to a dead end.</p>","back_link":{"title":"Go back","href":"/en-ca"}}],"socialShareUrl":[],"cookieConsentID":"","countryRedirectModal":[{"enableCountryRedirect":false,"countryRedirectMessage":"","acceptButtonText":"","declineButtonText":""}],"blogLanguageBanner":[{"enable_blog_language_banner":true,"title":"Ready to learn?","subtitle":"Pick up a language to start","languages":[{"country_code":"us","name":"English","page":[{"url":"/en-ca/languages/english","title":"English"}]},{"country_code":"es","name":"Spanish","page":[{"url":"/en-ca/languages/spanish","title":"Spanish"}]},{"country_code":"fr","name":"French","page":[{"url":"/en-ca/languages/french","title":"French"}]},{"country_code":"de","name":"German","page":[{"url":"/en-ca/languages/german","title":"German"}]}]}],"snipcartSettings":[{"enableSnipcart":true,"apiKey":"NTJlNWFiZWUtMzcwMC00Y2Y0LWIwNDItNWEzOWE0ODM0MDZlNjM4NjE2Nzc5MDQzMTAxMDEz","apiKeyTest":"NTYzNTcwZTAtZWY3Zi00MzU1LWIzMzYtNWVlNWUyZDdhNGJjNjM4NjE2Nzc5MDQzMTAxMDEz"}],"countrySelectModal":[{"enable_modal":true,"modal_description":"Choose your country or region to discover courses tailored to your needs. ","other_option":"Other country or region","button_text":"Continue"}]},"navigationWidget":{"edges":[{"node":{"sortOrder":1,"identifierText":"I am","audienceOption":[{"label":"an adult","value":"adult"}],"intentText":"and I'd like to learn","optionSet1":[{"label":"French","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"French","url":"/en-ca/languages/french"}]},{"label":"English","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"English","url":"/en-ca/languages/english"}]},{"label":"Arabic","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Arabic","url":"/en-ca/languages/arabic"}]},{"label":"German","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"German","url":"/en-ca/languages/german"}]},{"label":"Italian","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Italian","url":"/en-ca/languages/italian"}]},{"label":"Japanese","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Japanese","url":"/en-ca/languages/japanese"}]},{"label":"Korean","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Korean","url":"/en-ca/languages/korean"}]},{"label":"Mandarin","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Mandarin","url":"/en-ca/languages/mandarin"}]},{"label":"Portuguese","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Portuguese","url":"/en-ca/languages/portuguese"}]},{"label":"Russian","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Russian","url":"/en-ca/languages/russian"}]},{"label":"Spanish","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Spanish","url":"/en-ca/languages/spanish"}]},{"label":"Other","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Languages","url":"/en-ca/languages"}]}],"optionSet2":[],"submitButtonLabel":"Go"}},{"node":{"sortOrder":5,"identifierText":"I am","audienceOption":[{"label":"a government employee","value":"government-employee"}],"intentText":"and I'd like to learn about","optionSet1":[{"label":"SLE preparation","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"SLE Preparation","url":"/en-ca/sle"}]}],"optionSet2":[],"submitButtonLabel":"Go"}},{"node":{"sortOrder":4,"identifierText":"I am","audienceOption":[{"label":"an international student","value":"international-student"}],"intentText":"and I'd like to learn about","optionSet1":[{"label":"studying in Canada","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Study in Canada","url":"/en-ca/adults/study-in-canada"}]}],"optionSet2":[],"submitButtonLabel":"Go"}},{"node":{"sortOrder":3,"identifierText":"I am","audienceOption":[{"label":"a business","value":"business"}],"intentText":"and I'd like to learn about","optionSet1":[{"label":"language training","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Language training","url":"/en-ca/business/language-training"}]},{"label":"business English","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Business English","url":"/en-ca/business/language-training/business-english"}]},{"label":"the Cultural Navigator","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Cultural Navigator","url":"/en-ca/business/cultural-navigator"}]},{"label":"SLE preparation","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"SLE Preparation","url":"/en-ca/sle"}]},{"label":"about testing and assessment","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Testing & assessment","url":"/en-ca/business/testing-assessment"}]}],"optionSet2":[],"submitButtonLabel":"Go"}},{"node":{"sortOrder":2,"identifierText":"I am","audienceOption":[{"label":"a parent","value":"parent"}],"intentText":"and I'd like to learn about","optionSet1":[{"label":"private tutoring","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Private courses for kids & teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/private-tutoring"}]},{"label":"online classes","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Online courses for kids & teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/online"}]},{"label":"group classes","page":[]},{"label":"English for kids","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"English for kids & teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/english"}]},{"label":"French for kids","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"French for kids & teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/french"}]},{"label":"German for kids","page":[]},{"label":"Spanish for kids","page":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Spanish for kids & teens","url":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens/spanish"}]},{"label":"Portuguese for kids","page":[]},{"label":"Korean for kids","page":[]},{"label":"Mandarin for kids","page":[]}],"optionSet2":[],"submitButtonLabel":"Go"}}]},"footer":{"phone":[{"number":"1-855-865-0548"}],"phone_numbers":[],"multiple_phone_numbers":false,"newsletter":[{"title":"Sign up for our newsletter","success_text":"Thanks for subscribing!","available":true,"newsletter_as_modal":false,"newsletter_modal_link":"","newsletter_modal_label":"","error_text":"It failed!","unsubscribe_text":"Further information about our processing of data and your right of revocation can be found in our <a href=\"/en-ca/data-protection\" target=\"_blank\">Data Protection Declaration</a>.","newsletter_form":[{"title":"Newsletter","form_labels":[{"submit_button_label":"Subscribe now"}],"form":[{"checkbox":null,"select":null,"text":{"label":"Salutation","value":"","placeholder":"Prefix (Mr / Ms)","field":[]}},{"checkbox":null,"select":null,"text":{"label":"Last Name","value":"","placeholder":"Last name","field":[{"title":"last_name"}]}},{"checkbox":null,"select":null,"text":{"label":"Email","value":"","placeholder":"Email","field":[{"title":"email"}]}}],"hidden_fields":[{"hidden_field":{"name":"B2C_Lead__c","value":"1","field":[{"name":"B2C_Lead__c"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"Email_Opt_In__c","value":"1","field":[{"name":"Email_Opt_In__c"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"Region__c","value":"EMEA","field":[{"name":"Region__c"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"Country_Segmentation__c","value":"Netherlands","field":[{"name":"Country_Segmentation__c"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"Country","value":"Netherlands","field":[{"name":"country"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"formType__c","value":"Newsletter","field":[]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"oid","value":"00D0b000000uiVk","field":[]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"lead_source","value":"Website","field":[{"name":"lead_source"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"First Name","value":"newsletter","field":[{"name":"first_name"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"recordType","value":"0121t000000dYn5","field":[{"name":"recordType"}]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"status","value":"New","field":[]}},{"hidden_field":{"name":"terms","value":"false","field":[]}}]}]}],"social_link":[{"social_platform":"Facebook","link":{"href":"https://www.facebook.com/BerlitzCanada"}},{"social_platform":"Instagram","link":{"href":"https://www.instagram.com/berlitzcanada"}},{"social_platform":"Youtube","link":{"href":"https://www.youtube.com/user/BerlitzCA"}},{"social_platform":"Linkedin","link":{"href":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/berlitzcanada"}}],"certification":[{"certification_link":[],"certification_logo":null,"additional_certifications":[{"certification_link":[],"certification_logo":null}]}],"columns":[{"title":"Find a Course","links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Adults","href":"/en-ca/adults"}],"external_link":{"title":"For Adults","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Kids and teens","href":"/en-ca/kids-and-teens"}],"external_link":{"title":"For Kids and teens","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Business services","href":"/en-ca/business"}],"external_link":{"title":"For Businesses","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Placement test","href":"/en-ca/online-placement-test"}],"external_link":{"title":"Berlitz placement test","href":""}}]},{"title":"About Berlitz","links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"About us","href":"/en-ca/about-us"}],"external_link":{"title":"About Berlitz","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"The Berlitz Method","href":"/en-ca/about-us/berlitz-method"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"How Berlitz works","href":"/en-ca/about-us/how-berlitz-works"}],"external_link":{"title":"Learning cycle","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Proficiency levels","href":"/en-ca/about-us/proficiency-levels"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Why Berlitz","href":"/en-ca/about-us/why-berlitz"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Accessibility","href":"/en-ca/accessibility"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_blog_categories","title":"Blog","href":"/en-ca/blog"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}}]},{"title":"Contact","links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Contact","href":"/en-ca/contact"}],"external_link":{"title":"Contact us","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Language schools","href":"/en-ca/language-schools"}],"external_link":{"title":"Locations","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Careers","href":"/en-ca/careers"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[],"external_link":{"title":"Berlitz International","href":"https://www.berlitz.com/international"}}]}],"sub_footer":[{"copyright_text":"© 2025 Berlitz Corporation","links":[{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"About us","href":"/en-ca/about-us"}],"external_link":{"title":"Berlitz Canada is independently owned","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Data protection","href":"/en-ca/data-protection"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Imprint","href":"/en-ca/imprint"}],"external_link":{"title":"","href":""}},{"internal_link":[{"__typename":"Contentstack_page","title":"Terms and conditions","href":"/en-ca/terms-and-conditions"}],"external_link":{"title":"Terms of use","href":""}}]}]},"translations":null,"translationsValidation":null,"translationsEcommerce":null,"translationsCountrySelector":{"edges":[{"node":{"continue":"Continue","country_banner_content":"Located outside Canada? Choose your country or region.","please_select_a_country":"Please select a location","publish_details":{"locale":"en-ca"}}},{"node":{"continue":"Continuer","country_banner_content":"Vous êtes actuellement sur le site de Berlitz Canada. Vous pouvez choisir un autre pays ou une autre région pour accéder au contenu spécifique à votre emplacement.","please_select_a_country":"Choisissez un pays","publish_details":{"locale":"fr-ca"}}}]},"translationsCountries":{"edges":[{"node":{"argentina":"Argentine","armenia":"Arménie","australia":"Australie","austria":"Autriche","brazil":"Brésil","canada":"Canada","chile":"Chili","colombia":"Colombie","czechia":"République Tchèque","denmark":"Danemark","ecuador":"Équateur","finland":"Finlande","france":"France","germany":"Allemagne","hong_kong":"Hong Kong","hungary":"Hongrie","india":"Inde","italy":"Italie","japan":"Japon","korea":"Corée","latvia":"Lettonie","mexico":"Mexique","morocco":"Maroc","norway":"Norvège","peru":"Pérou","poland":"Pologne","puerto_rico":"Porto Rico","singapore":"Singapour","spain":"Espagne","sweden":"Suède","switzerland":"Suisse","taiwan":"Taïwan","thailand":"Thaïlande","united_kingdom":"Grande Bretagne","usa":"États-Unis","publish_details":{"locale":"fr-ca"}}}]}},"pageContext":{"blocks":[],"alertsDismissible":[],"alertsNonDismissible":[],"popups":[],"breadcrumbs":[{"label":"Blog","url":"/en-ca/blog"}],"customTitle":"","featuredImage":"","floatingActionButtonEnabled":false,"formMap":{"default":{"fields":[{"type":"text","width":"Half","label":"First name","required":true,"minLength":2,"hiddenLabel":false,"autocompleteAttribute":"given-name","validation":"None","field":[{"name":"first_name"}],"name":"first_name"},{"type":"text","width":"Half","label":"Last name","required":true,"minLength":2,"hiddenLabel":false,"autocompleteAttribute":"family-name","validation":"None","field":[{"name":"last_name"}],"name":"last_name"},{"type":"email","width":"Half","label":"E-mail address","required":true,"hiddenLabel":false,"autocompleteAttribute":"email","validation":"Email","field":[{"name":"email"}],"name":"email"},{"type":"tel","width":"Half","label":"Phone","required":true,"minLength":9,"maxLength":16,"hiddenLabel":false,"autocompleteAttribute":"tel","validation":"None","field":[{"name":"phone"}],"name":"phone"},{"label":"Language of interest","width":"Third","placeholder":"Please select","hiddenLabel":false,"required":true,"field":[{"name":"Target_Language__c"}],"options_reference":[{"select_options":[{"label":"English","value":"English","disabled":false},{"label":"French","value":"French","disabled":false},{"label":"Italian","value":"Italian","disabled":false},{"label":"Dutch","value":"Dutch","disabled":false},{"label":"German","value":"German","disabled":false},{"label":"Spanish","value":"Spanish","disabled":false},{"label":"Mandarin","value":"Chinese","disabled":false},{"label":"Japanese","value":"Japanese","disabled":false},{"label":"Korean","value":"Korean","disabled":false},{"label":"Russian","value":"Russian","disabled":false},{"label":"Arabic","value":"Arabic","disabled":false},{"label":"Portuguese","value":"Portuguese","disabled":false},{"label":"Other","value":"Other","disabled":false}]}],"options":[{"label":"English","value":"English","disabled":false},{"label":"French","value":"French","disabled":false},{"label":"Italian","value":"Italian","disabled":false},{"label":"Dutch","value":"Dutch","disabled":false},{"label":"German","value":"German","disabled":false},{"label":"Spanish","value":"Spanish","disabled":false},{"label":"Mandarin","value":"Chinese","disabled":false},{"label":"Japanese","value":"Japanese","disabled":false},{"label":"Korean","value":"Korean","disabled":false},{"label":"Russian","value":"Russian","disabled":false},{"label":"Arabic","value":"Arabic","disabled":false},{"label":"Portuguese","value":"Portuguese","disabled":false},{"label":"Other","value":"Other","disabled":false}],"name":"Target_Language__c","type":"select"},{"label":"Service of interest","width":"Third","placeholder":"Please select","hiddenLabel":false,"required":true,"field":[{"name":"Class_Type__c"}],"options":[{"label":"Language Training","value":"F2F Adult","disabled":false},{"label":"Online Language Training","value":"Online","disabled":false},{"label":"Study in Canada","value":"Study Abroad","disabled":false},{"label":"Kids & Teens Language Programs","value":"Kids","disabled":false},{"label":"Government Programs","value":"Governmental Business","disabled":false},{"label":"Other","value":"Other","disabled":false}],"name":"Class_Type__c","type":"select"},{"label":"Nearest city","width":"Third","placeholder":"Please select","hiddenLabel":false,"required":true,"field":[{"name":"Delivery_Center__c"}],"options_reference":[{"select_options":[{"label":"Calgary","value":"Calgary","disabled":false},{"label":"Laval","value":"Laval","disabled":false},{"label":"Kelowna","value":"Kelowna","disabled":false},{"label":"Montreal","value":"Montreal","disabled":false},{"label":"Ottawa","value":"Ottawa","disabled":false},{"label":"Regina","value":"Regina","disabled":false},{"label":"Quebec City","value":"Quebec City","disabled":false},{"label":"Toronto","value":"Toronto","disabled":false},{"label":"Greater Toronto Area (GTA)","value":"Greater Toronto Area (GTA)","disabled":false},{"label":"Vancouver","value":"Vancouver","disabled":false},{"label":"Vaughan","value":"Vaughan","disabled":false},{"label":"Victoria","value":"Victoria","disabled":false},{"label":"Winnipeg","value":"Winnipeg","disabled":false},{"label":"Online","value":"Online","disabled":false}]}],"options":[{"label":"Calgary","value":"Calgary","disabled":false},{"label":"Laval","value":"Laval","disabled":false},{"label":"Kelowna","value":"Kelowna","disabled":false},{"label":"Montreal","value":"Montreal","disabled":false},{"label":"Ottawa","value":"Ottawa","disabled":false},{"label":"Regina","value":"Regina","disabled":false},{"label":"Quebec City","value":"Quebec City","disabled":false},{"label":"Toronto","value":"Toronto","disabled":false},{"label":"Greater Toronto Area (GTA)","value":"Greater Toronto Area (GTA)","disabled":false},{"label":"Vancouver","value":"Vancouver","disabled":false},{"label":"Vaughan","value":"Vaughan","disabled":false},{"label":"Victoria","value":"Victoria","disabled":false},{"label":"Winnipeg","value":"Winnipeg","disabled":false},{"label":"Online","value":"Online","disabled":false}],"name":"Delivery_Center__c","type":"select"},{"label":"Message","width":"Full","maxLength":256,"hiddenLabel":false,"required":false,"field":[{"name":"description"}],"name":"description","type":"textarea"},{"checked":false,"label":"<p><span>I understand that Berlitz Canada does not provide free lessons</span><strong></strong></p>","required":true,"checkedByDefault":false,"checkedValue":"1","uncheckedValue":"0","width":"Full","field":[{"name":"Terms_and_Conditions__c"}],"name":"Terms_and_Conditions__c","type":"checkbox"},{"checked":false,"label":"I would like to be contacted about special events, newsletters and program information via email or text. I can revoke my consent at any time by sending an email to <a href=\"mailto:privacy@berlitz.ca\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">privacy@berlitz.ca</a>","required":false,"checkedByDefault":false,"checkedValue":"1","uncheckedValue":"0","width":"Full","field":[{"name":"Email_Opt_In__c"}],"name":"Email_Opt_In__c","type":"checkbox"}],"hiddenFields":[{"id":"form_name","name":"form_name","type":"hidden","value":"B2C main form"},{"id":"formType__c","name":"formType__c","type":"hidden","value":"B2C"},{"id":"B2C_Lead__c","name":"B2C_Lead__c","type":"hidden","value":"1"},{"id":"Communication_Language_Code__c","name":"Communication_Language_Code__c","type":"hidden","value":"en"},{"name":"recordType","type":"hidden","value":"0121t000000dYn5"},{"name":"B2C_Lead__c","type":"hidden","value":"1"}],"formRules":[{"show_hide":null,"dynamic_prefill_from_fields":null,"dynamic_options":null,"dynamic_prefill":null,"fetch_dynamic_options":null,"disable":null,"match_value":null,"confirm_value":null,"url_parameter_override":null,"convert_time_zone":{"time_zone_field":[],"field_to_convert":[{"name":"Time_Zone__c"}],"session_length":"90"},"fetch_dynamic_value":null}],"afterFormText":""}},"homeUrl":"/en-ca","isHome":false,"locale":"en-ca","isRtlLocale":false,"floatingCtaButton":{"floatingActionButtonText":" ","floatingActionButtonHref":"#form-1"},"pageBannerCta":{"url":"#form-1","label":"Contact us","isExternal":false,"isAnchor":true,"disableCtaButton":false},"enableCustomStickyCtaButton":false,"pageSeo":{"description":"Linguistic classism is a documented career barrier in Alberta. Learn how professionals can build communication authority — and how organisations can address linguistic bias systematically.","imageUrl":"","noFollow":false,"noIndex":false,"pathName":"/en-ca/blog/breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta-overcoming-linguistic-classism","title":"Overcoming Linguistic Classism in Alberta's Professional Circles | Berlitz","canonical":""},"subtitle":"","template":"BlogSingleLayout","title":"Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Alberta: Overcoming Linguistic Classism in Professional Circles","translations":[{"url":"/en-ca/blog/breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta-overcoming-linguistic-classism","language":"English","regionCode":"en-ca"},{"url":"/fr-ca/blog/briser-plafond-verre-alberta","language":"French","regionCode":"fr-ca"}],"url":"/en-ca/blog/breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta-overcoming-linguistic-classism","ecommerceSettings":{"allowed_payment_methods":[],"chargebee_key":"","chargebee_store":"","chargebee_key_test":"","chargebee_store_test":"","exclude_tax_in_product_option_cards":false,"show_total_price_in_summary":false},"mainFooterNavUid":"blt77ff34f8e36c2616","mainNavigationUid":"blt0d1faaab47d7b2a6","marketingKeys":{"google_site_verification":"dIOOGfCgDmA_1Y9qCuHK4A3rtF6Y_cz0p7i_Example"},"noIndexStack":false,"nodeShowDefaultForm":true,"defaultFormBlockId":"form-1","defaultFormFormLabels":[{"submitButtonLabel":"Start learning"}],"defaultFormHidden":false,"defaultFormModal":[{"successHeading":"Thank you","successText":"<p>Thanks for considering Berlitz and taking the first step in your language learning journey!</p><p>Please take a moment to schedule your online consultation with a Berlitz representative.</p><p><a href=\"https://calendly.com/d/crgz-4nw-xg9\" class=\"cta-button\" target=\"_self\">Book your consultation</a></p>"}],"defaultFormSubtitle":"<p>Fill in the form and we’ll guide you to the right program.</p>","defaultFormTitle":"Start your language journey today","countrySelectorOptions":[],"LANGUAGES":{"en-ca":"English","fr-ca":"French"},"relatedPosts":[{"date":"2026-05-29","date_modified":null,"image":{"description":"Bilingual advantage in Edmonton's public sector","url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blta87d7fbaeaa63272/blt3bea6b4c54da9551/69fc94daa50ce00d6191f2c6/bilingual-advantage-edmonton-public-sector.webp"},"title":"The Bilingual Advantage in Edmonton's Public Sector: How to Reach the CBC Language Level","uid":"blt1c2f96fdde0139e6","url":"/en-ca/blog/bilingual-advantage-edmonton-public-sector-reach-cbc-language-level"},{"date":"2026-05-01","date_modified":null,"image":{"description":"Professional language requirements in Alberta","url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blta87d7fbaeaa63272/blt1349ab472db4e1af/69fc48d560b9c53f38065699/language-requirements-alberta.webp"},"title":"Settling in Edmonton: How to Meet Language Requirements for Alberta's Professional Licences","uid":"blt8029ee11cd958b78","url":"/en-ca/blog/edmonton-meet-language-requirements-alberta-professional-licences"},{"date":"2026-04-03","date_modified":null,"image":{"description":"Accelerating your PR in Alberta with French","url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blta87d7fbaeaa63272/bltd2e72b1ce41ed60f/69ca96773a2be22c586ee53e/accelerating-pr-alberta-french.webp"},"title":"Accelerating Your PR in Alberta: Why French Scores are the Secret to Edmonton’s Express Entry","uid":"blte2fd2879bed585f3","url":"/en-ca/blog/accelerating-pr-alberta-french-scores-edmonton-express-entry"}],"blogCategoryOptions":[{"uid":"bltdeb2f4649af90643","value":"/en-ca/blog/subsidized-language-courses-in-canada","label":"An interactive guide to finding subsidized courses and how Berlitz Canada can support your journey to language fluency"},{"uid":"blt8f8c65d8229d2c23","value":"/en-ca/blog/7-best-languages-to-learn-to-advance-your-career","label":"7 Best Foreign Languages for Canadian Career Advancement"},{"uid":"blta4d254bac03adf79","value":"/en-ca/blog/most-popular-languages-canadians-learn","label":"The Most Popular Languages Canadians Want to Learn in 2026"},{"uid":"blt8f31c0500a0191f7","value":"/en-ca/blog/best-languages-advance-career-canada","label":"Level Up Your Resume: The Best Languages to Learn to Advance Your Career in Canada (2026 Edition)"},{"uid":"blt176ae53938629477","value":"/en-ca/blog/bilingual-career-true-value-corporate-english-training-canada","label":"Is a Bilingual Career Worth It? The True Value of Corporate English Training in Canada"},{"uid":"blt599285958912442e","value":"/en-ca/blog/why-learning-third-language-best-career-move","label":"The ROI of Polyglotism: Why Learning a Third Language Is the Best Career Move You Can Make in 2026"},{"uid":"blt1c114e86265fd48e","value":"/en-ca/blog/why-corporate-language-training-is-now-essential-for-global-companies","label":"Why corporate language training is now essential for global companies"},{"uid":"blt70b349df1eeba60d","value":"/en-ca/blog/ultimate-guide-english-courses-montreal","label":"The Ultimate Guide to English Courses Montreal: From Beginner to Advanced Fluency"},{"uid":"blte148ab50c71ee5a3","value":"/en-ca/blog/guide-arabic-classes-travelers-students","label":"Beyond 'Shukran': A Comprehensive Guide to Arabic Classes for Travelers and Students"},{"uid":"blt4a71f495e22db22f","value":"/en-ca/blog/modern-canadian-slang","label":"Canadian Slang You’ll Actually Hear in 2026"},{"uid":"bltf29c51b978480fc3","value":"/en-ca/blog/newcomer-guide-essential-english-phrases-daily-life-canada","label":"Newcomer Guide: Essential English Phrases for Daily Life in Canada"},{"uid":"bltdb9699f95dd3414a","value":"/en-ca/blog/why-business-english-course-essential-canadian-global-teams","label":"Corporate Language Training: Why a Business English Course is Essential for Canadian Global Teams"},{"uid":"blte5c96861e9e798c0","value":"/en-ca/blog/breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta-overcoming-linguistic-classism","label":"Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Alberta: Overcoming Linguistic Classism in Professional Circles"},{"uid":"blt50c22223ebf09052","value":"/en-ca/blog/understanding-french-language-levels-career-growth-canada","label":"From A1 to C2: Understanding French Language Levels for Career Growth in Canada"},{"uid":"blt66c14284aa860695","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-or-spanish-easier-learn","label":"Is French or Spanish Easier to Learn for Canadians? A Comparative Guide"},{"uid":"blt4862c7462f42a3b5","value":"/en-ca/blog/why-corporate-edmonton-going-bilingual","label":"From the Oil Patch to Tech Hubs: Why Corporate Edmonton Is Going Bilingual"},{"uid":"blta64c18ade7c36210","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-long-learn-french","label":"The Fastest Way to Fluency: How Long Does It Take to Learn French in 2026?"},{"uid":"blte60cc474177eb3cf","value":"/en-ca/blog/elite-business-communication","label":"Elite Business Communication: Mastering the Prestige Codes of the Canadian Professional Elite"},{"uid":"blt7a8447fb96650983","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-to-overcome-language-anxiety-speak-english-with-confidence","label":"Breaking the Barrier: How to Overcome Language Anxiety and Speak English with Confidence"},{"uid":"bltf8bc40891e76910d","value":"/en-ca/blog/professional-email-writing-canada-advanced-english-etiquette","label":"Professional Email Writing in Canada: Advanced English Etiquette for Senior Executives"},{"uid":"bltb3fe007743a80361","value":"/en-ca/blog/is-french-easy-to-learn-guide-english-speakers-in-canada","label":"Is French Easy to Learn? A Realistic Guide for English Speakers in Canada"},{"uid":"blt6edc0ab6fe3aa7df","value":"/en-ca/blog/leadership-coaching-canada-adapt-management-style-canadian-corporate-culture","label":"Leadership Coaching in Canada: How to Adapt Your Management Style to Canadian Corporate Culture"},{"uid":"blt8029ee11cd958b78","value":"/en-ca/blog/edmonton-meet-language-requirements-alberta-professional-licences","label":"Settling in Edmonton: How to Meet Language Requirements for Alberta's Professional Licences"},{"uid":"blt586319c324f3e1bf","value":"/en-ca/blog/executive-business-english-translate-international-leadership-expertise-canada","label":"Executive Business English: How to Translate Your International Leadership Expertise for Canada"},{"uid":"blt9ecbce62a1d585b8","value":"/en-ca/blog/best-french-courses-ottawa-government-workers","label":"Master the Official Language: The Best French Courses Ottawa for Government Workers"},{"uid":"blt1567e07e33f1a611","value":"/en-ca/blog/essential-tef-canada-preparation-strategies-success","label":"Ready for PR? Essential TEF Canada Preparation Strategies for Success"},{"uid":"blte2fd2879bed585f3","value":"/en-ca/blog/accelerating-pr-alberta-french-scores-edmonton-express-entry","label":"Accelerating Your PR in Alberta: Why French Scores are the Secret to Edmonton’s Express Entry"},{"uid":"blt1c2f96fdde0139e6","value":"/en-ca/blog/bilingual-advantage-edmonton-public-sector-reach-cbc-language-level","label":"The Bilingual Advantage in Edmonton's Public Sector: How to Reach the CBC Language Level"},{"uid":"blt849f7e320a6c3e97","value":"/en-ca/blog/presentation-skills-executives-how-to-pitch-vision-canadian-investors","label":"Presentation Skills for Executives: How to Pitch Your Vision to Canadian Investors"},{"uid":"blt6c803c9cf8014b64","value":"/en-ca/blog/small-talk-professionals-casual-english-conversation-critical-canadian-career","label":"Small Talk for Professionals: Why Casual English Conversation Is Critical for Your Canadian Career"},{"uid":"blt4f32187e142ceb54","value":"/en-ca/blog/tef-vs-tcf-canada-which-french-exam-choose-immigration","label":"TEF vs TCF Canada: Which French Exam Should You Choose for Immigration in 2026?"},{"uid":"bltec1c883a1952968f","value":"/en-ca/blog/business-networking-canada-how-to-master-coffee-chat","label":"Business Networking in Canada: How to Master the Coffee Chat and Access the Hidden Job Market"},{"uid":"blt4b46aefe8e46eecb","value":"/en-ca/blog/beyond-bonjour-essential-french-phrases-greetings-newcomers-canada","label":"Beyond 'Bonjour': Essential French Phrases and Greetings for Newcomers to Canada"},{"uid":"blt31e598f665afd6ea","value":"/en-ca/blog/effective-leadership-communication-how-to-decode-indirect-feedback-canadian-workplaces","label":"Effective Leadership Communication: How to Decode Indirect Feedback in Canadian Workplaces"},{"uid":"bltd288f7973a78a15f","value":"/en-ca/blog/professional-english-coaching-canadian-business-meetings","label":"Professional English Coaching: Mastering the Rhythm and Rules of Canadian Business Meetings"},{"uid":"blt2c280c63ea7fe7a4","value":"/en-ca/blog/specialized-language-training-newcomers-speeds-up-job-placement","label":"Bridging the Gap: How Specialized Language Training for Newcomers Speeds Up Job Placement"},{"uid":"blt64db8a17625166fc","value":"/en-ca/blog/canadian-business-etiquette-soft-skills-corporate-diplomacy","label":"Canadian Business Etiquette: Mastering Soft Skills and Corporate Diplomacy for Global Leaders"},{"uid":"blt5df624dfd6e57861","value":"/en-ca/blog/executive-communication-edmonton-corporate-directors","label":"Leading from the North: Executive Communication for Edmonton’s Corporate Directors"},{"uid":"blt5463385c5d3a6b61","value":"/en-ca/blog/advanced-communication-skills-executive-authority","label":"Advanced Communication Skills: Explaining Complex Strategies Without Losing Executive Authority"},{"uid":"bltcde1b99f8b0aa21f","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-canadian-culture-guide-professionals-quebec-new-brunswick","label":"French Canadian Culture 101: A Guide for Professionals Moving to Quebec or New Brunswick"},{"uid":"blt6ad2c40ca66dbbe1","value":"/en-ca/blog/public-speaking-executives-overcoming-accent-anxiety","label":"Public Speaking for Executives: Overcoming Accent Anxiety and Commanding the Canadian Boardroom"},{"uid":"blt2092772c68408865","value":"/en-ca/blog/english-classes-vancouver-boosting-career","label":"English Classes Vancouver: Boosting Your Career with Berlitz Certification"},{"uid":"blta0723b66965014b0","value":"/en-ca/blog/self-study-vs-live-classes-online-english-course-adults","label":"Self-Study vs. Live Classes: Finding the Right Online English Course for Adults"},{"uid":"blt7d0f1d162e25921c","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-lessons-ottawa-practical-communication","label":"Mastering Canadian French: French Lessons Ottawa for Practical Communication"},{"uid":"blt26a91ac27589550a","value":"/en-ca/blog/choosing-language-school-toronto","label":"Choosing the Right Language School Toronto: Location, Method, and Reviews"},{"uid":"bltc56a51d8193e52a5","value":"/en-ca/blog/spanish-lessons-calgary-best-travel-investment","label":"From Calgary to Cancún: Why Spanish Lessons are Your Best Travel Investment"},{"uid":"bltc36b8f64ebef319e","value":"/en-ca/blog/maximize-progress-intensive-french-course","label":"Maximize Your Progress: Why an Intensive French Course is the Fastest Route to Fluency"},{"uid":"blt5a0abf78f2598d34","value":"/en-ca/blog/spring-break-essentials-survival-spanish-phrase-guide","label":"Spring Break Essentials: Your Survival Spanish Phrase Guide for a Trip South"},{"uid":"blt61ed0dd9f6465f87","value":"/en-ca/blog/practice-english-vancouver-spring-festivals","label":"How to Practice English in Vancouver at Spring Festivals"},{"uid":"bltf81bb5a80a09ec55","value":"/en-ca/blog/tax-claim-business-language-training-professional","label":"Tax Time Tip: Can You Claim Your Business Language Training as a Professional"},{"uid":"blt03bb0a8e6ef52e45","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-to-learn-french-canada-immersion-guide","label":"How to Learn French in Canada Effectively: 2026 Immersion Guide"},{"uid":"blt10d2ba2a93ed3d56","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-classes-montreal-berlitz-immersion-experience","label":"French Classes Montreal: A Deep Dive into the Berlitz Immersion Experience"},{"uid":"blted0b929509810674","value":"/en-ca/blog/esl-classes-toronto","label":"ESL Classes Toronto: Your Path to Fluency in the GTA"},{"uid":"blt00f081ceff830576","value":"/en-ca/blog/hiragana-kanji-best-way-learn-japanese-canadians","label":"From Hiragana to Kanji: What is the Best Way to Learn Japanese for Canadians?"},{"uid":"bltccc4d59ec9112279","value":"/en-ca/blog/spanish-classes-vancouver-best-conversational-programs","label":"Spanish Classes Vancouver: Finding the Best Conversational Programs"},{"uid":"bltf41d5355a1ad0fd9","value":"/en-ca/blog/berlitz-edge-why-online-french-classes-beat-apps","label":"The Berlitz Edge: Why Online French Classes with a Live Instructor Beat Apps"},{"uid":"bltb30944d74ece0f59","value":"/en-ca/blog/i-love-you-10-languages-express-affection-abroad","label":"\"I Love You\" in 10 Languages: The Funniest and Most Formal Ways to Express Affection Abroad"},{"uid":"blt781c2c4ba5150faf","value":"/en-ca/blog/learn-business-english-online-canadian-workplaces","label":"Learn Business English Online: Practical Skills for Canadian Workplaces"},{"uid":"bltc3902e63e55162ba","value":"/en-ca/blog/ultimate-guide-learning-spanish-beginners","label":"The Ultimate Guide to Learning Spanish for Beginners"},{"uid":"bltb3ed974bbae943a5","value":"/en-ca/blog/why-choose-french-immersion-school-vancouver","label":"Immersion Done Right: Why Choose a French Immersion School in Vancouver"},{"uid":"bltf987aea7a7b53327","value":"/en-ca/blog/127-business-english-phrases-for-great-business-conversations","label":"127 Essential Business English Phrases for Corporate Success"},{"uid":"blt46d6111971593051","value":"/en-ca/blog/gender-masculine-feminine-spanish","label":"Spanish Gender Made Easy: The Simple Rules for Masculine & Feminine Nouns"},{"uid":"bltcda57a014350e446","value":"/en-ca/blog/what-is-the-most-important-skill-in-english","label":"The Single Most Important Skill in English (It’s Not Grammar)"},{"uid":"blte84ac922bfec5ed7","value":"/en-ca/blog/unexpected-benefits-of-language-learning","label":"The Unexpected Benefits of Language Learning: Boost Your Brain, Career, and Life"},{"uid":"blt39cf92f9818f168e","value":"/en-ca/blog/you-may-not-believe-how-alphabets-vary","label":"The World's Alphabets: How Writing Systems Shape Language Learning"},{"uid":"blteeb7826e20ec15c2","value":"/en-ca/blog/yes-no-different-languages","label":"How to say yes and no in 99 real languages and 8 fictional ones"},{"uid":"blt5132bec3c6b52baf","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-does-learning-a-second-language-impact-the-brain-and-cognitive-ability","label":"Bilingual Brain Power: How Language Learning Reshapes Your Mind"},{"uid":"bltd1337ccb142bc13b","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-can-i-speak-english-fluently-at-home","label":"How to Speak English Fluently at Home: The Definitive Guide for Canadian Learners"},{"uid":"blt3dc9da1cf9aad3d8","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-numbers","label":"How to Master French Numbers 1-100: Rules, Exceptions, and Pronunciation"},{"uid":"blt1b9f037f497cd556","value":"/en-ca/blog/is-german-hard-easy-to-learn","label":"Is German Hard or Easy to Learn? Debunking the Top 5 Myths"},{"uid":"bltd65afae37d07924d","value":"/en-ca/blog/6-useful-tips-guaranteed-to-help-you-learn-spanish-faster","label":"How to Learn Spanish Fast: 6 Proven Methods for Rapid Fluency & Travel"},{"uid":"blt8053c6b2a4083616","value":"/en-ca/blog/best-way-to-learn-french","label":"The Best Way to Learn French in 2026: Methods that Really Work (Including the Berlitz Method)"},{"uid":"blt2cbff390348d9d51","value":"/en-ca/blog/top-spanish-classes-calgary-adults-kids","label":"Discovering Language: The Top Spanish Classes Calgary for Adults and Kids"},{"uid":"bltb61610598b58aec5","value":"/en-ca/blog/learn-new-language-fast","label":"The Polyglot Secret: How to Learn a New Language Fast with the Right Mindset"},{"uid":"bltb27a288d08e16f78","value":"/en-ca/blog/language-learning-resolution-stick-all-year","label":"How to Stick to Your Language Learning Resolution All Year Long"},{"uid":"blte470b4492e21fc97","value":"/en-ca/blog/complete-guide-to-language-exams-in-montreal","label":"Complete guide to language exams in Montreal (TEF Canada, SLE, etc.)"},{"uid":"bltd16aae331605d7ed","value":"/en-ca/blog/guide-french-classes-toronto-immersion-program","label":"Your Guide to French Classes Toronto: Finding the Right Immersion Program for You"},{"uid":"blt8e89b7dc2dd42ab4","value":"/en-ca/blog/canadian-vs-parisian-french-accents","label":"Beyond the Basics: Understanding Canadian vs. Parisian French Accents"},{"uid":"blt723e6f8362fd3088","value":"/en-ca/blog/language-learning-goals-new-year-montreal","label":"New Year, New Skills: Your SMART Goal Guide to French and English Fluency in Montréal 2026"},{"uid":"blt9f9eb43704645c2a","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-winter-phrases-montreal-survival-guide","label":"\"Y'a Frette!\" Your Survival Guide to Essential French Phrases for Winter in Montréal"},{"uid":"blt54055825341f37f0","value":"/en-ca/blog/business-spanish-culture-etiquette-words","label":"Master Business Spanish: Guide to Vocab, Culture, Etiquette & Salary Boost"},{"uid":"blt94b81fa2d09dc142","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-days-week","label":"French Days of the Week: Pronunciation, Grammar, and History Explained"},{"uid":"bltedbac44b203e9e93","value":"/en-ca/blog/things-to-know-about-canada-and-french-canadians","label":"Essential Facts & Cultural Insights: What to Know About Canada and French Canadians (Beyond Maple Syrup)"},{"uid":"bltf4b60d1d3d30a063","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-to-order-food-french-restaurant","label":"Master the Menu: The Ultimate Guide to Ordering Food and Dining in French"},{"uid":"blt3de4af21cb6edc60","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-vs-canadian-french","label":"French vs. Canadian French: 17 Essential Differences in Vocab, Accent, and Culture"},{"uid":"bltf916fa97f2250a46","value":"/en-ca/blog/understanding-canadian-slang-and-key-words","label":"Mastering Canadian Slang: Essential English & Québécois Vocabulary"},{"uid":"blt8c11586c53cb5509","value":"/en-ca/blog/5-reasons-to-teach-your-kids-a-foreign-language","label":"5 Reasons Teaching Your Kids a Second Language is Essential"},{"uid":"blt37c66078e7bc9bad","value":"/en-ca/blog/5-foreign-languages-kids-should-learn","label":"5 Best Foreign Languages for Kids to Learn in Canada"},{"uid":"blt3ad653a13eb36f7a","value":"/en-ca/blog/celpip-or-ielts-which-language-test-should-you-choose","label":"CELPIP vs. IELTS for Canada Immigration: The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Test"},{"uid":"blt667fb8e5e0131198","value":"/en-ca/blog/finding-best-online-french-course","label":"Flexible Learning: Finding the Best Online French Course for Your Busy Schedule"},{"uid":"blt6d8276dd08e256e4","value":"/en-ca/blog/business/workplace-miscommunication-examples","label":"5 Types of Miscommunication in a Multicultural Workplace (And How to Fix Them)"},{"uid":"blt16bdd93dd5bc78e4","value":"/en-ca/blog/business/diversity-in-the-workplace","label":"Why Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Boost Business in Canada: The Strategic Advantage"},{"uid":"blt7b0133411cc41f79","value":"/en-ca/blog/business/tuition-reimbursement-corporate-language-learning","label":"Tuition Reimbursement for Corporate Language Training: Is It Worth the ROI?"},{"uid":"blt1fad5ba766140449","value":"/en-ca/blog/a-simple-guide-to-names-types-of-rooms-of-the-house-video","label":"A simple guide to names & types of rooms of the house [VIDEO]"},{"uid":"blt233e75621c4b45a7","value":"/en-ca/blog/english-videos/linking-words-connectors-english","label":"Connectors in English: An easy guide to linking words [VIDEO]"},{"uid":"blt7428be0161bd96e2","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-to-pronounce-thank-you-thanks","label":"How to pronounce thank you & thanks in English: A video lesson"},{"uid":"blt96f1709cc435df6d","value":"/en-ca/blog/language-courses-global-standard-quality-assurance","label":"How Berlitz delivers world-class language training, anywhere in the world"},{"uid":"blt79281b46e9cb78cf","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-to-teach-english-abroad-and-the-best-places-to-teach-it","label":"How to teach English abroad and the best places to teach it"},{"uid":"blt0e0bcd530f6297ae","value":"/en-ca/blog/berlitz-language-lessons-passion-fluency","label":"Meet Silvia – The Berlitz Italian instructor who turns passion into fluency"},{"uid":"blt5bb8383ead8378e4","value":"/en-ca/blog/german-dog-training-commands","label":"37 top dog commands in German to teach your fur-ever friend"},{"uid":"bltf00652cb177fad6e","value":"/en-ca/blog/great-language-lessons-people","label":"What makes a Berlitz lesson great? The people who make it happen"},{"uid":"blt0a3feccc5b771582","value":"/en-ca/blog/telling-time-practice-vocabulary-english","label":"What time it is? Time vocabulary pronunciation in English [Video]"},{"uid":"bltdc32cba53a6c7e16","value":"/en-ca/blog/use-of-in-on-at-time-location-prepositions","label":"Mastering English Prepositions: The Ultimate Guide to 'In, On, At' (Time & Location)"},{"uid":"blt10605511ccdf907e","value":"/en-ca/blog/how-polyglots-learn-languages","label":"Polyglot Secrets: Insider Tips for Rapid Language Learning Success"},{"uid":"blt407468a4af7ebd18","value":"/en-ca/blog/body-language-different-cultures-around-world","label":"Global Handshakes to Fatal Faux Pas: Body Language in Different Cultures"},{"uid":"blt57a3aad82796eadf","value":"/en-ca/blog/benefits-of-bilingualism","label":"Bilingual Power: 5 Greatest Benefits of Learning a Second Language"},{"uid":"bltfce4d133ad33c546","value":"/en-ca/blog/advantages-corporate-language-training-start-fiscal-year","label":"Kickstart Your Career: The Advantages of Corporate Language Training at the Start of the Fiscal Year"},{"uid":"blt2a01768fa2bcfcdc","value":"/en-ca/blog/top-7-activities-learn-french-montreal","label":"Top 7 activities to learn French in Montreal (Fun & effective ideas)"},{"uid":"blt5dd4d286a5423f12","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-survival-guide-food-lovers-montreal","label":"French Survival Guide for Food Lovers in Montréal"},{"uid":"blt614b9af9f8043363","value":"/en-ca/blog/top-5-christmas-markets-montreal","label":"Top 5 Christmas Markets in Montréal: A Language Learner's Guide"},{"uid":"blt0e316e014ee36b79","value":"/en-ca/blog/bilingual-jobs-montreal-top-sectors-hiring","label":"Bilingual Jobs in Montréal: Top Sectors Hiring and Skills You Need"},{"uid":"blt459db0e9856b6699","value":"/en-ca/blog/french-english-christmas-vocabulary-montreal","label":"Your Complete Holiday Survival Guide: Essential French & English Vocabulary for Christmas in Montréal"},{"uid":"blt21d1600436031e7c","value":"/en-ca/blog/global-language-trends-2024","label":"Global language trends 2024: the most learned languages and what's driving their popularity"},{"uid":"bltc1203529c0b3e967","value":"/en-ca/blog/ai-language-learning-complements-human-instructors","label":"Why AI won’t replace human language instructors, but will make learning more effective"}],"contentType":"blog_posts","id":"eeb8e2db-37b0-5a9f-ac5b-9342aad1eabc","uid":"blte5c96861e9e798c0","publish_details":{"locale":"en-ca"},"date":"2026-07-03","date_modified":null,"modified_date_text":"","tags":["hreflang-breaking-glass-ceiling-alberta"],"post_content":"<p>In Alberta's professional circles, your accent, your vocabulary choices, and your communication style are being evaluated — often unconsciously — alongside your technical credentials. <strong>Linguistic classism — the systematic disadvantage experienced by professionals whose language does not match the dominant professional register — is one of the most pervasive and least discussed barriers to career advancement in Calgary, Edmonton, and across the province.</strong> It affects internationally trained engineers, foreign-educated executives, newcomers with advanced degrees, and bilingual professionals navigating English-dominant corporate environments. And unlike most barriers, it is entirely addressable.</p><p>If you are building your professional English authority in Alberta, <a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton\" target=\"_blank\">Berlitz Edmonton</a> offers the targeted coaching that closes the gap between your expertise and how it is perceived in Alberta's professional circles.</p><h2 id=\"table-of-contents\">Table of Contents</h2><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-linguistic-classism\">What Linguistic Classism Actually Is — and How It Manifests in Alberta</a></li><li><a href=\"#career-cost\">The Career Cost: What the Research Shows</a></li><li><a href=\"#individual-strategy\">The Individual Strategy: Building Communication Authority Without Erasing Your Identity</a></li><li><a href=\"#organisational-strategy\">The Organisational Strategy: Building Linguistically Inclusive Leadership</a></li><li><a href=\"#berlitz-edmonton\">How Berlitz Edmonton Supports Both Dimensions</a></li><li><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways</a></li><li><a href=\"#FAQ\">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li></ul><h2 id=\"what-is-linguistic-classism\">What Linguistic Classism Actually Is — and How It Manifests in Alberta</h2><p>Linguistic classism is distinct from language competence. It is not about whether a professional can communicate effectively — many of Alberta's most technically accomplished professionals do so in multiple languages with complex precision. It is about whether the way they communicate matches the dominant professional register that Canadian corporate culture has normalised as the standard of credibility and authority.</p><p>In Alberta's professional environments, linguistic classism manifests across four specific dimensions:</p><ul><li><strong>Hiring decisions:</strong> Research consistently shows that candidates with non-dominant accents, non-Canadian educational credentials signalled through vocabulary choices, or communication styles that deviate from the expected register are evaluated less favourably in interviews — often by evaluators who are not consciously aware of the bias. The result is a systematic filtering at the entry point that reduces the diversity of talent that reaches senior roles.</li><li><strong>Promotion barriers:</strong> \"Communication skills\" and \"executive presence\" are among the most frequently cited reasons for promotion denials in Canadian corporate culture — and both are heavily influenced by linguistic register. Internationally trained professionals who are functionally fluent but whose register does not yet match the C-suite norm are systematically passed over for advancement that their technical performance warrants.</li><li><strong>Meeting dynamics:</strong> In Alberta's corporate meetings — from oil sands boardrooms to Calgary tech conference rooms — professionals with non-dominant communication styles frequently report being interrupted, talked over, or having their contributions attributed to others. These dynamics are not always deliberate, but their career consequences are real and cumulative.</li><li><strong>Networking exclusion:</strong> Elite professional networking in Alberta operates through small talk, shared cultural references, and the communication codes of a specific social class. Professionals who have not internalised these codes — not because of lack of competence but because of different cultural formation — are systematically excluded from the informal networks where opportunities are actually created.</li></ul><h2 id=\"career-cost\">The Career Cost: What the Research Shows</h2><p>Linguistic classism is not a matter of perception — it has measurable economic consequences for Alberta professionals.</p><p>According to <a href=\"https://www.statcan.gc.ca\" target=\"_blank\">Statistics Canada</a>, internationally trained professionals in Alberta earn significantly less than Canadian-trained counterparts with equivalent qualifications — a wage gap that persists even after controlling for sector, experience, and educational level. Research from the <a href=\"https://www.conferenceboard.ca\" target=\"_blank\">Conference Board of Canada</a> identifies communication style as one of the primary non-technical factors driving this gap — separate from language competence itself.</p><p>The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of place of origin — and linguistic discrimination, when it functions as a proxy for ethnic or national origin bias, falls within this protection. The <a href=\"https://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca\" target=\"_blank\">Alberta Human Rights Commission</a> recognises that accent-based discrimination can constitute unlawful employment discrimination when it is not connected to a genuine and material occupational requirement.</p><p>For organisations, the cost is equally measurable: talent retention failures, innovation deficits from homogeneous leadership, and the competitive disadvantage of not accessing Alberta's full professional talent pool — one of the most internationally educated workforces in Canada.</p><h2 id=\"individual-strategy\">The Individual Strategy: Building Communication Authority Without Erasing Your Identity</h2><p>The goal is not to sound like someone you are not. It is to build communication authority in the register that Canadian professional culture rewards — while retaining the linguistic identity and multicultural perspective that are genuine professional assets.</p><p>This distinction matters enormously. The most effective professional English development does not ask internationally trained professionals to abandon their accent, erase their cultural communication patterns, or perform an identity that is not theirs. It builds the specific register skills, vocabulary precision, and high-stakes communication confidence that allow their existing expertise to be heard, valued, and advanced in Alberta's professional environments.</p><p>Four specific strategies build communication authority without identity erasure:</p><ul><li><strong>Register calibration — not accent elimination:</strong> The goal is to develop the professional vocabulary, sentence structure, and communication rhythm that signal seniority in Canadian corporate culture. This is a learnable register overlay — not a replacement of your existing language identity.</li><li><strong>High-stakes preparation:</strong> Prepare specifically for the moments where linguistic classism has the most impact — job interviews, performance reviews, executive presentations, and networking events. Targeted preparation for these specific contexts reduces the anxiety that amplifies communication gaps under pressure.</li><li><strong>Visible expertise signalling:</strong> Develop the specific linguistic tools that signal domain expertise in your field — technical vocabulary in context, evidence-based framing, and the strategic question that demonstrates institutional knowledge. When expertise is signalled clearly, register differences matter less.</li><li><strong>Professional English coaching:</strong> <a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton/english-for-professionals\" target=\"_blank\">English for professionals at Berlitz Edmonton</a> is specifically designed for this work — building the register, vocabulary, and communication confidence that Alberta's corporate culture rewards, through immersive coaching with native-fluent instructors who understand the specific professional environments of Calgary and Edmonton.</li></ul><p> </p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blta87d7fbaeaa63272/blt5ac049efe725f7c0/6a155e124119a173be1d5f2a/fight-linguistic-classism-alberta.webp?auto=webp&amp;format=pjpg&amp;quality=80&amp;\" alt=\"fight-linguistic-classism-alberta.webp\" height=\"auto\" /><h2 id=\"organisational-strategy\">The Organisational Strategy: Building Linguistically Inclusive Leadership</h2><p>For HR leaders, L&amp;D managers, and executives committed to genuine inclusion, linguistic classism represents both a legal risk and a strategic opportunity. Organisations that actively address linguistic bias access a broader talent pool, retain internationally trained professionals longer, and build the communication diversity that drives innovation in complex global markets.</p><p>Four organisational practices build linguistic inclusion:</p><ul><li><strong>Audit your hiring and promotion language:</strong> Review job postings, interview evaluation rubrics, and promotion criteria for linguistic bias. \"Communication skills,\" \"cultural fit,\" and \"executive presence\" are frequently used as proxies for linguistic conformity — and auditing how these terms are applied in practice is the first step toward equitable assessment.</li><li><strong>Create psychologically safe communication environments:</strong> Meetings, presentations, and team interactions should be structured to create space for diverse communication styles — not just the dominant register. This means active facilitation that prevents interruption, ensures attribution of contributions, and explicitly values different communication approaches.</li><li><strong>Invest in structured communication development — not just remediation:</strong> The most inclusive approach to professional communication development treats it as a career advancement tool for everyone — not as remediation for those who \"do not communicate well enough.\" Structured <a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton/english\" target=\"_blank\">professional English programmes at Berlitz Edmonton</a> deliver this framing — building communication authority as a positive professional investment, not a corrective measure.</li><li><strong>Measure linguistic inclusion:</strong> Include linguistic diversity in your inclusion metrics. Track whether internationally trained professionals are advancing at rates equivalent to Canadian-trained counterparts with similar technical performance. Visibility is the first requirement of accountability.</li></ul><h2 id=\"berlitz-edmonton\">How Berlitz Edmonton Supports Both Dimensions</h2><p>Berlitz Edmonton delivers language and communication training that addresses linguistic classism from both the individual and organisational perspectives — with programmes specifically designed for Alberta's professional reality.</p><ul><li><a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton/english-for-professionals\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>English for professionals:</strong></a> Advanced professional English coaching for internationally trained executives, managers, and specialists who need to build communication authority in Alberta's corporate environment — not as remediation, but as the strategic career investment it actually is.</li><li><a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton/english\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>English language training Edmonton:</strong></a> Structured English programmes for newcomers and internationally trained professionals building foundational professional English — the starting point for the register development that career advancement in Alberta requires.</li><li><a href=\"https://www.berlitz.com/en-ca/language-schools/alberta/edmonton/french\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>French language training Edmonton:</strong></a> For Alberta professionals navigating bilingual federal roles or expanding into Quebec and francophone markets — the other dimension of Alberta's evolving linguistic professional landscape.</li></ul><p>All Berlitz Edmonton programmes use the immersive Berlitz Method — native-fluent instructors, real-time correction, professional context alignment — delivering results faster than any grammar-first alternative, in private, group, intensive, or fully online formats that fit working professional schedules.</p><p><strong>Ready to build communication authority in Alberta's professional circles?</strong> Explore Berlitz Edmonton's English for professionals and corporate communication programmes — and close the gap between your expertise and how it is recognised in the environments that matter.</p><h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li><strong>Linguistic classism is a documented, measurable career barrier in Alberta:</strong> It manifests in hiring decisions, promotion barriers, meeting dynamics, and networking exclusion — and it has quantifiable wage and advancement consequences for internationally trained professionals across Calgary, Edmonton, and the province.</li><li><strong>The individual response is register development — not identity erasure:</strong> The goal is to build communication authority in the register that Canadian professional culture rewards, while retaining the multicultural perspective and linguistic identity that are genuine professional assets. This is a learnable skill, not a personality replacement.</li><li><strong>The organisational response is structural — not just interpersonal:</strong> Genuine linguistic inclusion requires auditing hiring and promotion processes, creating psychologically safe communication environments, investing in communication development as an equity tool, and measuring outcomes. Organisations that do this access the full depth of Alberta's internationally educated talent pool.</li></ul><h2 id=\"FAQ\">Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>Is accent-based discrimination illegal in Alberta?</h3><p>Yes — under the Alberta Human Rights Act, discrimination in employment on the basis of place of origin is prohibited. When accent-based discrimination functions as a proxy for national or ethnic origin bias, it falls within this protection. The Alberta Human Rights Commission recognises that accent discrimination can constitute unlawful employment discrimination when it is not connected to a genuine occupational requirement. Employees who experience this discrimination can file a complaint with the Commission.</p><h3>How is linguistic classism different from requiring English proficiency for a role?</h3><p>Legitimate English proficiency requirements are connected to genuine, demonstrable occupational needs — the ability to communicate safely, accurately, or effectively in a specific professional context. Linguistic classism operates differently: it penalises communication style, register, accent, or vocabulary choices that do not affect communication effectiveness, but deviate from the dominant cultural norm. The distinction is between functional requirements and cultural conformity — and organisations that cannot articulate the specific functional basis for a communication requirement may be applying the latter.</p><h3>What is the fastest way to build professional English authority as an internationally trained professional in Alberta?</h3><p>Immersive, context-specific professional English coaching with a native-fluent instructor — focused on the specific register, vocabulary, and high-stakes communication scenarios of your field and career level. Generic English courses build general competence. Professional English coaching at Berlitz Edmonton builds the specific communication authority that Alberta's corporate culture rewards — in the timeframe that busy working professionals actually have available.</p><h3>How can organisations measure whether they have a linguistic classism problem?</h3><p>Start with disaggregated promotion and compensation data — track whether internationally trained professionals advance at rates equivalent to Canadian-trained counterparts with similar performance records. Review hiring evaluation rubrics for unexamined communication criteria. Survey employees about whether they feel their communication contributions are equally valued. And audit the linguistic diversity of your leadership — if it does not reflect the diversity of your professional workforce, linguistic classism is almost certainly operating somewhere in your talent pipeline.</p>","image":null,"seo":[{"meta_description":"Linguistic classism is a documented career barrier in Alberta. Learn how professionals can build communication authority — and how organisations can address linguistic bias systematically.","meta_title":"Overcoming Linguistic Classism in Alberta's Professional Circles | Berlitz","no_follow":false,"no_index":false,"canonical":""}],"author":[{"author_name":"Berlitz","author_type":"Organization","profile_image":null,"author_link":{"href":""},"social_link":[]}],"editor":[],"category":[{"url":"/en-ca/blog/language-centers","title":"Local Language Practice"}],"page_parent":[{"url":"/en-ca/blog","uid":"blta3c73524ff20d6cb","title":"Blog"}],"related_articles":[{"uid":"blte2fd2879bed585f3"},{"uid":"blt8029ee11cd958b78"},{"uid":"blt1c2f96fdde0139e6"}]}},"staticQueryHashes":["1221381036","1271460761","1590406072","2255537454","2791933573","692030627","844383502"]}