La Comunidad Hispana & Kaolin Mushroom farms build language skills.(labor relations)

When Efrain Zavala Lara began working at Kaolin Mushroom Farms, Inc. in 1985, he had little time for school. "I have four kids," he recalls. "My wife had to work nights and I had to watch the kids." Now 48 years old, Lara is an Assistant Manager at Kaolin and has two of his children enrolled at Penn State and Temple universities.

This past spring, Lara had the opportunity to improve his English speaking skills through classes offered by La Comunidad Hispana for Kaolin employees at their workplace. "I always knew how important it was to learn the language," says Lara, "but I never had time." Kaolin and La Comunidad Hispana partnered to bring these essential skills to Lara and his co-workers.

Although La Comunidad Hispana provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes throughout Southern Chester County, this particular class was different. "This is the first time that a business has asked us to provide ESL skills in the workplace," says Paul Schroeder, Education Coordinator at La Comunidad Hispana. In September 2007, Elaine Marnell, Labor Relations Director at Kaolin Mushroom Farms, Inc., approached La Comunidad Hispana to "help our front-line supervisors to communicate more effectively." Classes began after Schroeder obtained state funds for the program through the Pennsylvania Workplace Improvement Network (PA-WIN), a collaboration between PA Department of Labor and Industry and the PA Department of Education.

The first day of classes was difficult, recalls Schroeder. "Each student got a packet of plastic letters and some of the students did not even recognize the letters." Their teacher, Barbara Worrall, persevered. "Barbara was unbelievable. Very quickly she was able to customize her whole approach, curriculum and materials to the students," says Marnell. Worrall taught the employees twice per week for eight weeks using brightly colored visuals and hands-on activities.

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The students responded to Worrall's enthusiasm. "This was a totally new experience for them," says Marnell. "Most of the employees had left Mexico at a young age to work and education was not even a consideration. In fact, it was a luxury far beyond their reach. They relish any opportunity that comes their way for furthering the education that they have."

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Lara was one such student. To reinforce the material he learned during the day, he began taking night classes at La Comunidad Hispana's Kennett Square location twice per week, a practice that he continues to this day. "And if I had the chance to go more, I would," Lara says.

The students had made considerable improvement in their English skills by the end of the eight-week course. Worrall emphasizes that the group achieved important goals. "They gained confidence in their ability to communicate and function more effectively at work."

Marnell noticed a significant improvement at the worksite. "Employees have a better command of the language and they are more articulate. We were pleased to work with La Comunidad Hispana to help our employees gain the skills they need to succeed."

Lara is thrilled with his newfound skills in the English language. "Learning English has helped me a lot," he says. "I can go anywhere now and not be afraid."

For more information about La Comunidad Hispana's ESL programs, visit www.lacomunidadhispana.org

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