Maria,
Thank you for sharing this information with all of us who are taking part in 
this discussion list.
Pat Sawyer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Maria Caratini-Prado" <mcaratini at dcccd.edu>
To: <workplace at nifl.gov>; <psawyer49 at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Workplace 1515] Responding to Maria's posting


Pat,

I am very happy to see that you have now centered the discussion on my 
favorite people: the ESL student!  In order to find the "perfect" instructor 
for our wonderful potential students, I offer a training session for the 
instructors who want to teach a workforce class.  (My power point for the 
instructional training session is attached.)  Once the training is 
completed, I offer a simplified adult-second-language learning class 
(applied linguistics watered down to the H in H-E-L-P) to help the 
instructor work effectively in teaching listening/speaking/conversation, 
reading, and writing.  I care very much for my instructor's and offer them 
as much help as possible.  We now use an instructional room, a small room 
with six computers, where we tutor ESL students, as a professional 
development ESL training room for all of our instructors.  (I have 30 
adjuncts.)

There are great things happening at my college, and I am extremely happy to 
have found this discussion forum, so that others can learn and share in what 
we do!





Maria Caratini Prado, M. Ed. TESOL
ESL/ESOL Teaching & Learning
Arts, Languages & Literature Division
Eastfield College, Texas
mcaratini at dcccd.edu
www.eastfieldcollege.com
(972) 860-7659 office
(972) 860-8392 fax
"Advancing English Education Globally"

>>> "Pat Sawyer" <psawyer49 at sbcglobal.net> 07/22/08 1:21 PM >>>

Hello to members of our ESOL discussion list,

I've been enjoying our ESOL in the Workplace discussions this morning. 
Maria's information about the initial meeting between a company/employer and 
a workplace ESL provider is excellent.  I want to respond to her discussion 
where she has written "Once I choose the perfect instructor..."

I've been trying to decide just how to bring the needs of the students into 
this discussion because as you all know, without them we have nothing, and 
Maria's comment seemed to be the place to discuss the students and their 
needs.  Several weeks ago an ESL student asked me what "gitit" means.  She 
said that her employer will explain what she is to do in the factory where 
she works and then always ends her conversation by saying, "Getit."  The ESL 
student said, "What do I say to her?"  When I said, "You can say, got it." 
she was so excited. The other students who had been listening to our 
conversation actually clapped their hands.

I keep trying to remember that we need to meet their needs, no matter what 
we have planned as a "lesson for the day." Maria definitely understands this 
with her comment, "Once I choose the perfect instructor."

Pat Sawyer
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: PRISCILLA S CARMAN
  To: workplace at nifl.gov
  Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:19 PM
  Subject: [Workplace 1514] Maria's posting from Texas


  Hello everyone, I just finished reading Maria Caratini-Prado's posting and 
something caught my eye that I think is a wonderful and replicable best 
practice.  Maria, you mentioned that you use demographics information to 
identify areas of need and then drive through the areas to meet with 
directors and managers, disseminating your college's program information as 
appropriate. I think this sounds like an amazingly proactive approach to 
building capacity and meeting needs. Thank you for sharing your information 
and this best practice. Sincerely, Priscilla Carman



At Eastfield College, I use census demographics information and city
statistical information to learn where in the area there is marked density 
of
non-English language speakers.  I drive through those areas and meet with
directors or managers to talk about what I see.  (I do this every summer
in early July.)  I have a document that shows the different programs and
courses my college offers and emphasize that those courses can be adapted to
fit industry.

-What needs to happen at the initial meeting between a company/employer and 
a
workplace ESL provider?  I like to provide a "mini-college fair" at
the company.  Once I am in the door, I feel that the first person I need to
speak to is the one needing the language because in significant numbers, the
employees will clamor for the company to offer ESL.  I also provide my
customary presentation to the CEO, managers, etc. and provide a sample of 
what
a Business Industry ESL class is like.

Priscilla Carman
  Literacy Specialist
  Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy
  Penn State University
  208F Rackley Building
  University Park, PA 16802
  PH: 814-865-1049 FX: 814-863-6108





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