This article is about the Communications and Media Foundations offering at Centennial College. A preparation program, it readies students for further specialization in the media or communication fields.

1. Communications and Media Foundations Uses Range of Topics as Base for
Students
There is no need to get frustrated if you are not accepted into the program of your
choice due to lack of credentials. That’s because Centennial College has a host of
programs designed to bring students up to speed in terms of the know-how they will
need to pursue their program of choice or in terms of having a better grasp of what to
expect from a college environment or even in terms of ensuring their English is at the
level that it needs to be for success in college.
One such offering is the communication program known as Communications and
Media Foundations. Its sole purpose is to prepare students, in one year, for further
training and eventually entering communications and media fields by offering first
know-how and then a practical application of skills. Creative media industry
professionals, who understand the importance of including, in foundational studies,
creative exploration and experimentation with contemporary digital and social media
production tools, guide students through their learning.
Among the specific courses in this offering are: Tools and Processes for
Communicators, Introduction to Media, Multimedia, Essential English Skills,
Introduction to Media Writing, Exploring Digital Culture and much more. It is worth
noting that many of these courses are presented in two parts.
Due to the range of topics covered, students complete an equally diverse amount of
activities. To begin with, students learn to use appropriate vocabulary, terminology,
basic numeracy and communicative strategies necessary in the communications and
media environment. This serves as the base onto which they will build additional skills.
Students then move onto write and present in basic narrative formats for a variety of
media platforms. Writing assignments encourage students to apply theoretical
principles to produce practical, focused written communications and media solutions.
To write for media, students learn to research information that allow them to describe
media forms, audiences, platforms, and “traditional” and non-traditional
communication methods. This leads to being able to create and maintain a forum in
social media networks using rich media applications. As a result of all their lessons and
hands-on activities, students apply developed English language skills to a presentation
portfolio.
On a personal level, the program makes room for students to examine their roles and
responsibilities as global citizens in personal and professional life. They also observe
beliefs, values and behaviours that form individual and community identities and the
basis for respectful relationships.
All of the skills students gain allow them to apply knowledge of communications and
media workplaces, environments and practices to develop their job search strategies
and early career success strategies.

2. Students who successfully complete this media education foundation receive an offer
to Centennial College’s three-year Advertising and Marketing Communications
Management Advanced Diploma program; the three-year Journalism Advanced
Diploma program; or the three-year Broadcasting and Film Advanced Diploma
program.