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 GallupDirector, 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. Rosendjrosen at comcast.net----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
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