This story appears in the
April 2000 issue of
Entrepreneur.
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Today's tight job market and vibrant economy are creating
entry-level jobs often filled by workers whose first language
isn't English. Savvy entrepreneurs are not only tapping into
this rich segment of the labor pool but also strengthening the
value of those employees by helping them learn English through
classes held at work.
The benefits are numerous, says Beth Larson, coordinator of the
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) department at
Seminole Community College in Sanford, Florida. The advantages of
having employees with improved language skills include:
- More confidence and an increase in the ability to interact
with co-workers and customers. As workers learn how to speak
and read English, they can be more productive and even advance
within the company, which increases loyalty and reduces
turnover.
- Fewer errors and reduced overtime. Workers who
understand instructions don't make as many mistakes, which
means they don't need to spend extra time correcting them.
- Safety. Being able to speak and read English increases
the comprehension of safety-related warnings, which in turn reduces
workplace accidents.
In many communities with non-English-speaking populations,
school districts offer adult ESL classes for free or for a nominal
fee. But because workers often can't attend those classes,
educators encourage employers with enough potential pupils to hold
classes at work, either during or after business hours. "Most
adult-education programs require between 15 and 20 students in each
class," Larson says. She adds that work-site classes may mean
offering transportation to employees who carpool, but that's
easier than continuing to struggle with language-related
communication problems.
Jacquelyn Lynn left the corporate world more than 13 years
ago and has been writing about business and management from her
home office in Winter Park, Florida, ever since.
Contact Source
Seminole Community College, (407) 328-2120