Great idea, Amber.  It's all about that window of opportunity! Does anyone
have suggestions for discussion on the last days of class with learners who
want to maintain or extend their newly learned language skills?

 

Barbara Tondre

 

  _____  

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Amber Gallup
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:42 AM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1507] Re: Taking the Plunge into Work-Based ESL

 


David Rosen asks:
"Companies are usually not able to provide space or fund teachers for more
than this. The students, still motivated to learn more English, are often
stuck. They don't know where they can go for classes, or the classes aren't
offered when they can take them or, because they have two or more jobs, they
have no time to attend classes anywhere. What are some good solutions to
this problem?"

This is one simple solution, but it has worked quite well for me:  Over the
years of providing workplace classes and just being in the ESL community
here in the DC area, I've collected a binder listing details and contact
info for local ESL programs, classes, tutors (including impressive teachers
who have worked for me and have consented to have their info listed), books
and audio programs, and stores...as well as blank pieces of note paper.  I
organize them all in the binder and take it with me to the last day of any
workplace course, whether I'm teaching it or supervising it...after students
fill out their evaluations, I have a short exit interview with any student
who wants it, and the information they request is almost always in my
binder, ready to copy out onto the notepaper and point students in the
directions they want to go.  Again, it's simple, but it meets important
needs and is much better than the unrealistic, "contact me after class" or
"I'll call you with the info."  

Amber Gallup

Director, Essential Language

(202) 234-4565


--- On Tue, 7/22/08, David J. Rosen <djrosen at comcast.net> wrote:

From: David J. Rosen <djrosen at comcast.net>
Subject: [Workplace 1506] Re: Taking the Plunge into Work-Based ESL
To: "The Workplace Literacy Discussion List" <workplace at nifl.gov>
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 4:16 AM

Colleagues, 

 

On Jul 22, 2008, Barbara Tondre wrote:

The terms workforce, workplace, and work-based are often used
interchangeably in discussions of work-related literacy, basic skills, and
English language instruction. Is one preferred over the others and is there
a marked difference in meaning?

I understand these terms as different, not interchangeable, so I would like
to offer some definitions

 

Workplace learning, including workplace English, is usually classes focused
on basic skills learning contextualized to a particular workplace, company
or industry. Although the classes are usually held at the workplace they
could be held at a union hall, community college or elsewhere. Some
workplace learning takes place online.

 

Workforce learning, in adult literacy education, could include workplace
learning but often focuses on preparing students for work or, for workers
who have lost their jobs, for new kinds of work.

 

Work-based learning, usually for students who are preparing for work, has a
high school, college or adult education class component and also a learning
component at work. Ideally the two are well integrated.

 

In the context of this discussion, I believe we are talking about workplace
learning, specifically English language learning.

 

I have a question for Barbara, Pat or others, perhaps for later in the
discussion: Over years of providing, observing and evaluating workplace
learning, including English language learning, I have seen some great
classes, teaching, and curriculum. I have seen students who are highly
motivated, and who make great gains. However, usually a company only offers
one or two levels of workplace English. Companies are usually not able to
provide space or fund teachers for more than this. The students, still
motivated to learn more English, are often stuck. They don't know where they
can go for classes, or the classes aren't offered when they can take them
or, because they have two or more jobs, they have no time to attend classes
anywhere. What are some good solutions to this problem?

 

David J. Rosen

djrosen at comcast.net

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