The goal of workplace language classes is to help employees to communicate with each other more effectively. This may include working on increasing vocabulary, developing listening comprehension, learning to say a few important phrases, improving your e-mail writing style, working on pronunciation, or other skills. These classes are specialized to the specific workplace, and are typically located there. Classes can currently be offered in Spanish, English, French, Korean, or basic Chinese, but more languages may be possible because part-time consultants may be available. We can provide individual consultations, small-group lessons, or larger classes. Employees interested in group language training do not all have to speak the same language, and our instructors don’t have to speak their native languages to be able to teach these groups (or individuals) English, Spanish, Korean, or any other language requested. Please call, email, or see the “Frequently Asked Questions” for more information. As we develop classes to be offered to the University at large, they will be offered on the Learning and Development class calendar (http://www.uiowa.edu/learn/coursesui.html ).
Information about Previous Classes
- Approaching Exams Confidently Handout (pdf)
- Approaching Exams Confidently Presentation (pdf)
- Summer 2007: Basic English Skills (pdf)
- Fall 2007: Written Communication for the Workplace (pdf)
- Spring 2008: English Pronunciation for Non-native Speakers (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who will teach the class?
- Why do you offer language training in languages other than English?
- What is covered in these classes?
- Do all the employees have to be from the same work unit?
- Are classes only available during regular University hours (8am-5pm)?
- Where will the classes be held?
- How many weeks will the classes last, and how long will each class be?
- Will I have to buy a book?
- Can I attend class during work hours, or do I have to attend on my own time?
- I want help learning a particular language to use at work. How do I get in a class or arrange for an individual consultation?
- I think someone I work with would benefit from a class or individual consultation in a certain language to help with communication at work, how do I find out about classes for this person?
- How will people in the language classes be evaluated?
- Does everyone in the class have to speak the same native language?
- Does the teacher have to speak the same language as the employees?
Questions and Answers
Classes will be taught by a qualified language instructor, or by a native speaker with the assistance of a qualified language instructor. Jane Gressang, Language and Culture Specialist, has a Master’s Degree in Linguistics with a concentration in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching English to Speaker’s of Other Languages (TESOL). She has over five years of experience teaching TESOL classes, and has taught skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, and pronunciation to students at all proficiency levels.
Learning a language as an adult can be very difficult. It does not have to do with intelligence, but rather natural ability. Just as some people have a talent for playing music and singing, some people have a talent for learning languages as an adult.
- What is covered in these classes?
Employees that are non-native speakers of English are usually making efforts to learn English because of all the benefits it can bring them, but different people will have different levels of success over the same period of time due to their natural ability and age. Training English speakers to speak even a little of the other language helps to increase the amount of communication possible, and also can increase someone’s understanding of the difficulty involved in learning a language as an adult.
Finally, as workplaces in general get more diverse, bilingual employees are more and more in demand. Supervisors that speak Spanish, Chinese, or some other commonly spoken language will be more and more highly desired. Staff Language and Culture Services wants to help as many employees as possible navigate communication in a diverse workplace.
Typically supervisors and employees identify what job tasks or skills need to be focused on to improve workplace communication. Before any class begins, an evaluation and discussion of the needs of the employees will be done. Classes could cover grammar, pronunciation, writing style, understanding spoken instructions, increasing vocabulary, or learning cultural information about the workplace to improve the quality of cross-cultural interactions.
No, this is not necessary, depending on the language skill level of the employees and the goals of instruction. In most cases it is possible to have people with similar goals and skill levels—but different jobs—in the same class.
No, courses can be offered at other times. Our instructor is available to teach during all shifts. When to conduct classes is decided based on the operational needs of the work unit, and the employee’s work schedule and availability.
Classes are usually held someplace convenient to the employee’s worksite. The location is arranged based on the availability of a conference room or other space that could be used as a classroom.
This also depends on what the needs and goals of the employees are. Some classes have been conducted for 8 weeks, with 2 one-hour meetings per week (for a total of 16 hours of instruction). With language learning, more time in the classroom often leads to faster results, but if employees are motivated to work on their own they can improve even with a small amount of class time.
This depends. The instructor will often bring materials to class. However, if a particular book seems to fit well with employee goals, purchasing one may be suggested. Some people find books very useful to help with practicing outside of class, and as a reference book later on.
This is up to your supervisor. Supervisors must decide if the instruction can be held during work hours, or if it needs to be outside of work hours. If you cannot attend class during work hours, a class schedule can be arranged so that you can receive instruction before or after work, or else during your lunch or dinner break.
- I want help learning a particular language to use at work. How do I get in a class or arrange for an individual consultation?
Please call (319-335-5822 or email Jane Gressang (jane-gressang@uiowa.edu) from Staff Language and Culture Services to request instruction. Explain the language you want help with, and what kind of help you would like. We will contact you to discuss your request further.
- I think someone I work with would benefit from a class or individual consultation in a certain language to help with communication at work, how do I find out about classes for this person?
Please call 319-335-5822 or email Jane Gressang (jane-gressang@uiowa.edu) from the Staff Language and Culture Services. We will contact you to discuss the issue further.
There are no formal tests and no grades. However, informal evaluations will be done occasionally. Some examples of informal evaluations are responding to verbal questions, reading a text aloud, or writing an email. These evaluations are used as a way to track employees’ progress and to help the instructor tailor classes to the employees’ specific needs.
No, they don’t. The important part is that all the class members want to learn the same language. In many cases, it is better if people in the class speak different native languages because then they can only communicate in the language they are learning.
No, the teacher does not have to speak the same language. The important thing is that the teacher knows the language he or she is teaching! Talking only in the target language even to beginners helps develop real communicative ability.
