Dear Colleagues, 

Although I am reluctant to interrupt the dialogue occurring among
participants, I am going to stir a few more questions into the pot:

 

1.	How does work-related instruction connect to NRS?
2.	What are the literacy and language competencies needed by limited
English proficient workers?
3.	When you get a call from an employer, what do you say and how do you
pay?

 

Other questions you would like answered?  Please feel free to post.  

 

Barbara Tondre 

 

  _____  

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Pat Sawyer
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 5:15 PM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1520] Fw: Responding to Maria's and David's posting

 

Lloyd David,

Gotcha!   What a great way to begin an ESOL workplace class.

Pat Sawyer

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Lloyd David <mailto:lloyd_david at creativeworkplacelearning.org>  

To: 'Pat <mailto:psawyer49 at sbcglobal.net>  Sawyer' ; 'The
<mailto:workplace at nifl.gov>  Workplace Literacy Discussion List' 

Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 1:52 PM

Subject: RE: [Workplace 1515] Responding to Maria's posting

 

Hello,

Creative Workplace Learning (CWL) has been providing ESOL classes in the
workplace for over 20 years. Some of my instructors, all of whom are
part-times have been working for the organizations for 15 -20 years. The
previous Director of the English as a Working Language program at CWL told
me she hires teachers based on 3 things - knowledge of subject, experience,
and PERSONALITY. Last year I hired  an instructor for a class of
professionals who were not able to speak very much English although their
ability to read English was at a very advanced level. He began the class
with common pronunciations like gotcha, gimme, etc. I observed some of the
first class and was sorry to have had to leave. This is really what people
need to learn becuz that is how we talk.

Lloyd

Lloyd David, EdD.
Creative Workplace Learning
311 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135
Tel :  617-783-6360
FAX: 617-782-0136

 

 

  _____  

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Pat Sawyer
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:17 PM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1515] Responding to Maria's posting

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 <mailto:psc3 at psu.edu>  

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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