"I have learned many things. Before cannot speak English and now I can. . . know to read and speak English and history of America. Helped me to ask to my boss if I have a doctor's appointment. . . speak with teacher of my son in English. . . if I go to the doctor I can tell to the doctor that I have back pain, before I don't know how to say. When I go in a bus I know to ask for change. I speak on phone now but not before. . . I like CNN. . . My boss say I speak clearly. . .I have friends now (those who do not speak her language and they converse in English) . . . I did not try to talk before (with other co-workers). I am all set with English."

This was the response given by Florence Ofosuee, originally from Ghana, when she was asked about how the English as a Working Language (EWL) classes offered by her employer, Imperial Distributors, of Auburn, Mass., helped her and whether her life had improved. Her answer indicated that these classes impacted every aspect of her life - from visiting her doctor, to dealing with her son's school, to understanding her supervisor's instructions, to becoming a part of American society.

The need for English as a Working Language classes

In Massachusetts, there are close to a half million citizens who were listed in the 2000 Census as speaking English "less than very well." The Massachusetts Department of Education reports that most of the programs it funds for teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages have waiting lists of up to 1 year before a person can enroll and begin studying English. For many of these people, simply attending classes in a school or community center is very difficult since they have jobs that may be quite a distance from the school and traveling becomes a huge impediment in their pursuit of education. Others have to deal with childcare issues or a second job. These obstacles ultimately prevent them from ever attending a class.

Since most people spend hours at a job, holding English classes where they work, perhaps after work, makes a great deal of sense. The worker conveniently walks to the class with his/her peers and thereby eliminates any transportation problems. Often arrangements can be made for someone to take care of children for a few hours on the days of the class. The curriculum is customized to address student and employer needs and can be designed around the work site - company rules, company benefits, job duties, etc. The classroom learning is applicable on the job from day one.

Benefits to the organization

This is not just an issue of corporate social responsibility but also an investment that should reap rewards. First, the curriculum deals with issues that affect the business's profits, such as waste, productivity, relationships with customers or patients, etc. Second, the real beneficiary of such a program is the immediate supervisor.

When asked about any specific difference between the employees' overall job performance before and after taking this EWL class, Pam O'Connor, the supervisor at Imperial Distributors, responded: "The main thing was they can understand their management now. They are able to communicate with me and other peers as well. This was a big issue in the beginning. [Now] I need not repeat myself or even get a translator. EWL classes have made them understand when I say there is an error. Each and every one going to the EWL class wants to succeed."

The benefits to the company far outweigh the costs. One year after the program ended at Imperial Distributors, only 1 of the 12 workers from the English as a Working Language program had left the company. During this time the company experienced a turnover rate around 44% a year. Since Imperial Distributors provided the employees with valuable educational benefits, it in turn acquired greater loyalty to the company. Employees seek to improve their performance since they understand their jobs better and make fewer mistakes. Error rates at Imperial Distributors decreased significantly and attendance improved when compared with a group of similar workers who had not attended the classes.

A win-win situation

On closer examination, the idea of offering classes such as English as a Working Language, Math, Reading, Writing and Computer Training to employees at the worksite seems like a win/win situation. The employer provides curriculum guidance, recruits the students, and offers support during the classes. In return the students learn from authentic workplace materials and apply their learning immediately. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also benefits since graduates of EWL, ESL, or ESOL classes often continue with their studies, thereby eventually earning more money and paying more taxes.

The question remains: why aren't more companies offering these opportunities to their employees? In Massachusetts, two funding opportunities help companies offer English classes to their workers who speak other languages: The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund [http://www.detma.org/workforcehome.htm] provides financial support, up to $250,000 for 18 months. The Massachusetts Department of Education [http://www.doe.mass.edu/acls/] also provides funding for workplace education programs.

Lloyd David, EdD, is President of Creative Workplace Learning of Brighton, Mass., and is a NEHRA member. You can contact him at lloyd_david@creativeworkplacelearning.org.