Do business better with English at Work
What is the English at Work program? The program provides businesses and organizations with trained and experienced English as an Additional Language (EAL) instructors who help employees with the English communication skills they need at work. How much does it cost? The province pays for half the total cost. Instructors are paid $30 to $35 per hour; paid development-time is usually equal to class time. If the program consists of 100 hours of instruction it would cost about $6,000. Your investment is only about $3,000 because the province covers one-half the cost. Would my company have to pay employees for the time they’re in training? In most situations companies pay employees for half the time they are in training. This has proven to ensure good attendance. How much training is available? It depends on your situation, but the most common practice has been to offer two-hour classes twice a week for about 20 to 30 weeks. Some businesses have also begun integrating English language training together with their skill and safety training. What time of day works best for class? The most popular class time has been near the end of the work day. Participants come to class for their last of hour of work and stay another hour on their own time. This model has proven to result in 90 - 100 per cent attendance, and allows shift workers to participate. In some cases, lunch-time classes are a better option. A learning centre model is useful for worksites with multiple shifts. This allows participants to drop in as their schedule allows. At what time of year should the program be offered? Companies can start or stop English at Work training at any time of the year as suits them. There is no minimum or maximum training duration. Is this program just for beginner English? No. Instructors develop programs for whatever level that the students need. If a business has employees who are very fluent but make occasional errors that prevent career advancement, training focuses on strategic communicative presentation, grammatical accuracy and clear pronunciation. How can I make sure trainees use the skills they learn? Some businesses have adopted a more integrated training model so that training is not restricted to the classroom. For basic English learners the instructor goes into the worksite with the learner for a short time each week to ask and answer questions that reinforce learning. This also allows staff who cannot attend class to get the attention of an instructor for at least a few minutes every week. The instructor may also work with supervisors to assist them in cross-cultural communications and in giving clear instructions to EAL workers. Would the program help employees who have advanced job and interpersonal skills? Yes. Year after year English at Work has succeeded in giving participants the confidence and skill to rise within their organizations. For references of other businesses who have participated Contact Us. What if I have only one or two employees who need help? Enhanced English Skills for Employment, also funded by Manitoba Labour and Immigration, has developed an option specifically designed for this, as long as participants’ English levels are at a Canadian Language Benchmark of 5 or higher (Intermediate). You can send an employee to a 10-week, part-time evening or weekend program in either pronunciation, listening, professional writing, technical reading or culture in the Canadian workplace. In addition to the 60-hour course, your tuition fee provides your staff member 10 hours of individualized tutoring from the instructor that focuses on the language and communication needs of his or her particular work. For more information contact Enhanced English Skills for Employmentat 204-927-4375 or online at http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/exit.cgi?http://www.eese.ca |
