Using a cooperative and situated learning approach, two vocational English-as-a-Second-Language instructors created a linguistic community of practice among nonnative speaking immigrant restaurant employees and their native speaking coworkers. (Author/VWL)

Describes English-as-a-Second-Language programs for "green workers," or individuals who work in green industries such as golf course maintenance, landscaping, and horticulture. Discusses the benefits of supervisors learning to speak Spanish, and the necessity of workers learning English to avoid accidents, make fewer errors in following…

This vocational English-as-a-Second-Language program stresses interactive language use in the context of communicating with customers. Intended for intermediate-level adult learners, the manual will assist students in developing the communication and interaction skills they need for a variety of public contact positions, including retail sales…

A discussion of English as a Second Language (ESL) in the workplace looks at current challenges and future educational needs. It begins with an overview of adult immigrant demographics in the United States and federal government conclusions about the kinds of skills needed by this population. Challenges facing immigrant workplace education are…

This paper discusses the impact of increasing immigration on English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) course offerings, presents the results of the 1998 National Curriculum Study, and examines existing ESL curriculum course designs through an analysis of selected course catalogs. The 1998 National Curriculum Study revealed that ESL programs are a…

The role of item response theory (IRT) in determining the validity of second language tests is examined in the case of one specific test, the listening subtest of the Occupational English Test (OET), used in Australia to measure the language skills of non-native English-speaking health professionals. First, the listening subtest is described. Then…

Vocational English Second Language (VESL) programs have traditionally given immigrant, migrant, and refugee language learners access to employment. VESL programs provide not only the language input needed for learning specific job tasks but also address the sociocultural skills of language needed to negotiate in today's workplace. The demand for…

Describes the bilingual vocational training model, often considered to be the most effective instructional delivery system for limited English proficient (LEP) students. Indicates that LEP students are underrepresented in business education and that individual teachers should learn more about LEP students and welcome them into the classroom. (JOW)

This paper details a research project in Brunei Darussalam that explored vocational education teacher trainees' and their future students' views about the function of reading in vocational education and about reading in English. Part A, a review of current theoretical perspectives in literacy as a socially constructed phenomenon, is organized by…

This student workbook and teacher's guide are for a vocational English-as-a-Second-Languge (VESL) course designed to prepare limited-English-speaking students for vocational training programs in industrial and technical fields. The curriculum focuses on the general technical English most critical in making the transition from…

This critical review of the literature examines the characteristics and needs of limited English proficient (LEP) adults and the programs and services typically available to them. The complexities of the LEP population are explored first, including differences in education, English proficiency, labor market experience, and economic status.…

This guide provides background information, training recommendations, discussion questions and answers, trainee assignment sheets, and answers to the assignment sheets to accompany a 45-minute videotape of a model program for serving limited English proficiency (LEP) students. The script for the audio portion of the videotape is also included. The…

This handbook is intended for use by those attending a one-day workshop dealing with planning and developing a vocational English as a second language (VESL) program. Materials provided to reinforce the following objectives are addressed during the workshop: identify the need issues that can be used in planning services and responding to requests…

Describes the content and structure of a computer-assisted reading instruction program for intermediate level adults learning English in a business environment. The program focuses on the three reading subskills of skimming, scanning, and guessing. Suggestions for teachers on how to evaluate effective courseware are provided. (Author/SED)

Describes workplace literacy programs serving immigrants at Cableco, a cable manufacturing plant in California serving the electronics industry in Silicon valley. A workplace literacy lesson, employees responses to it, and an interview with the manufacturing manager demonstrate some of the dangers of conceiving of language as a discrete workplace…