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From: "Miriam Burt" <miriam@cal.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10627] Re: Defending Workplace ESL
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Peter and all:
Last fall (2003),I did a review of the research on outcomes that
employers look for when they sponsor ESL classes at their worksites.
What Alejandro, Ann, Ronna, Tracy, Susan, Laurie, et al. have said is
all borne out by what I found:
English language ability is related to higher wages and more stable
employment, yet little training is currently offered to immigrants at
the workplace. When it is offered at a worksite, it is often not offered
again after the initial classes have been completed. Why?
Issues in providing (and not providing!) this instruction include
unrealistic expectations both of what can be learned in a short
workplace class and how quickly language and cultural behaviors can and
should be changed; difficulties in defining and assessing outcomes;
improper assignation of English deficiencies as being the reason for all
workplace performance problems; and a lack of value placed on the
instruction by companies and workers alike.
I wrote a 4-page synthesis of my findings, and included a bibliography
of the sources I consulted. The synthesis also includes a few
suggestions for educators wanting to start up ESL classes at the
workplace. The document, "Issues in Improving Immigrant Workers' English
Language Skills" can be downloaded at
http://www.cal.org/caela/digests/Workplaceissues.htm
Good luck, Peter!
Miriam Burt
miriam@cal.org
-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-esl@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-esl@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Elliot
Family
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 2:18 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10626] Re: Defending Workplace ESL
Peter,
You should emphasize the fact that the oral communication between
employer and employee will increase, and as a consequence
miscommunication, which usually entails problems, that translate into
loss of money, will decrease.
I will send you websites of some articles of the positive consequences
effective communication brings to companies. I'm sure that the
employees conduct an avenue of communication with native speakers
employees. If they could only visualize how productivity or efficiency
will improve if they can communicate will "all" their employees.
Alejandra Elliot
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter MacMonagle <Peter.MacMonagle@cpcc.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 6:23 PM
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10613] Defending Workplace ESL
> To the Group,
>
> I need a little help.
>
> I am going to have a meeting with managers at one of the companies I
> teach
at. They don't think the ESL program benefits the company, although
there are people who can see the students making progress.
>
> If anyone has information on how ESL programs benefit companies, their
bottom line, productivity, etc. I would be grateful for the assistance.
>
> Wm. Peter MacMonagle, M.Ed.
> Central Piedmont Community College
>
> "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' ('I found it!') but rather 'hmm....that's
funny...'" - Isaac Asimov.
>
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