Designing a New Course: Becoming a Lifelong Learner (CMTY 12120)

Starting in Winter 2026, Level 5 EAP program students have been taking a new course entitled Becoming a Lifelong Learner (CMTY 12120). This course goes beyond academic language learning. Learners engage with multiple modalities and are encouraged to explore their identities, positioning, and agency within the academic environment and broader society. Through a modular design, they examine a range of psychosocial topics and develop meta-skills and competencies needed to function effectively in the complex academic world and evolving job market. Specifically, learners explore their identity using storytelling techniques while learning about elements of hope and resilience. They also engage in creative problem-solving strategies, reflect on intergenerational characteristics and their own agency, apply conflict resolution strategies within the learning environment, and envision their future selves using visualization and guided meditation techniques.

This course was designed by Dr. Alireza Sobhanmanesh. It is based on a digital textbook he authored through an eCampus Ontario grant ($74,130). The book includes interactive H5P activities and videos filmed and produced by a professional crew with six actors. A second edition, redesigned in PDF format, is forthcoming. Special thanks to Sara Machan for her help editing of the second edition and to Dr. Stephanie Samboo for her leadership and support of the project.