As American businesses re-tool to
meet the demands of a global economy, American workers face a
future in which they must continually upgrade their knowledge
and skills -- or learn new skills -- in order to remain competitive
and increase their earning power.
What is Workplace
Literacy?
A workplace literacy class is one offered at a business/industry
site to help employees to improve basic skills such as reading,
writing and computation and to enhance thinking skills such as
problem solving and decision making. The focus of the class work
can be on work improvement, personal improvement, or both.
Typically, the lessons aim to address issues such as:
- Job Safety,
- Responding to Oral and Written Instructions;
- Asking for Clarifications;
- Taking Telephone Messages:
- Dealing With Misunderstandings and
Problems,
- Communicating Effectively With Supervisors,
Co-Workers And/Or Customers
Workplace Literacy and Project Read-Menlo
Park
Our workplace literacy program reaches out to all employees including
the limited English speakers, who are currently in the labor force
and who need to understand and develop skills for appropriate
communication at work. Teachers and volunteer tutors from
Project Read teach reading and writing in English on site to employees
of local businesses. Employers provide classroom space, books
and work-related materials for instruction, and release time for
learners. They may also encourage their other employees
to share their literacy skills by becoming trained tutors. Both
workers and companies benefit, not only in areas of "practical"
skills and productivity, but also in building worker morale and
self-esteem, and enhancing labor-management relations.
How can you help?
If you are aware of people in your workplace who may benefit from
free tutoring in English at the worksite, you can
- Publicize and distribute our literacy
information (flyers, brochures etc. ) in your workplace
- Have a Project Read speaker address
your company/organization
- Provide in-kind assistance (i.e., space
to hold classes, donations of equipment; printing of instructional
materials)
- Make a contribution ( money or resources)
- Sponsor/ Participate in a literacy
event.
If you are aware of people in your
workplace who might be interested in becoming literacy volunteers,
you can
- Sponsor tutor training for volunteers
at your workplace
- Identify a literacy coordinator within
the company ( i.e., assist with student recruiting)
- Establish company tutorial programs
