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From: <dejatu@cat4.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10628] Re: Defending Workplace ESL
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It seems to me that there are also issues around whether an employer
wants to pay (eventually) higher wages or cares about stable
employment. In many cases there is a continually replenished supply of
labor for low wage jobs such as housekeeping and employers are not that
concerned about turnover in the same way that workers themselves (and
we) might be.
Debbie Tuler
ESL Specialist
CCS Adult Learning Center
Charlottesville, VA
On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 17:17:40 -0500 (EST)
"Miriam Burt" <miriam@cal.org> wrote:
> 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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