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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