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| English Language Acquisition |
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| SER Meets the Needs of Limited English Speakers |
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Throughout the history of SER, local programs have offered English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to thousands of immigrants, providing a gateway to jobs and successful careers. SER continues this legacy by developing language acquisition programs that meet the needs of the American workplace. The demographics of the United States are rapidly changing and Hispanics have become the country’s fastest growing minority and the fastest growing segment of the workforce.
To succeed in the workplace, workers must know how to communicate in English to compete for jobs in growing industries. Limited English speakers are anxious to learn English to gain good jobs, increase wages and join training programs that will teach them additional skills to advance in their careers.
By working hand-in- hand with employers on programs to teach workplace English, SER will realize its mission to reduce economic disparity in the nation and help limited English speakers realize the American dream for themselves and their families.
In the past year SER National has implemented two exciting programs with grant funds from the U.S. Department of Labor. Both programs have used innovative delivery methods to teach English.
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| SER ELA Program worked to improve the language skills of workers in the foodservice and hospitality industry by using a self-paced interactive program that included a take-home kit with books, cartridges and a LeapFrog Quantum Pad. Workers acquired language skills that made them eligible for wage gains and job promotions. |
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| English on the Job taught individuals over the age of 55 the English they need to apply and interview for jobs in customer service. The participants enjoyed using interactive voice recognition software that provided instant audio feedback. SER worked closely with The Home Depot in Miami on this project and the participants also applied for other customer service jobs. |
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| SER English Language Acquisition (ELA) Program |
The SER ELA Program was designed to test unique and inventive training strategies for Limited English Speaking Hispanics who are incumbent workers by emphasizing learning approaches which simultaneously provide language and occupational skills training. SER National administered the English Language Acquisition Program from February 24, 2006 to June 30, 2008.
A partnership was formed with Retention Education, creator and distributor of the Sed de Saber learning system, and companies in the Foodservice and Hospitality Industry.
Sed de Saber is a self-paced, interactive English language training course for Spanish or limited English speakers. It includes a take-home kit with six books, six cartridges and a LeapFrog Quantum Pad® that, if studied for a minimum of 30 minutes per day or at least three times per week, can improve the workplace English skills of clients in approximately 4 – 6 months.
The goal of the project was to provide language skills to workers in the hospitality field to make them eligible for wage gains and promotions. SER National provided the innovative program to 36 participating partner companies and their employees across the State of Texas. Pilot programs were conducted in the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex and in Brownsville, Burleson, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, Mc Allen, Round Rock, San Antonio, Tyler and Waco.
Read about the Success Stories of participants in the (ELA) program. |
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| Related Information |
ETA News Release: [02/14/2006]
U.S. Department of Labor Awards $4.9 Million in Grants To Improve English Language Skills in the Workplace
Grants Will Train Workers in California, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York and Texas
Excerpts from news release-see total news release in 2006 Archives.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced five grants totaling more than $4.9 million to improve English language skills in the workplace. The grants will train approximately 4,400 individuals in California, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York and Texas.
“To succeed in the workplace, workers must know how to communicate in English,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “These $4.9 million in English skills training grants will help thousands of workers realize the American dream for themselves and their families.”
In Texas, a $1.1 million grant to SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc. will fund a work-based English skills program in four cities to prepare approximately 2,430 Hispanic workers for careers in the hospitality industry.
“Growing industries constantly seek out workers taking action to enhance their skills,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Developing English language skills will enable workers associated with these five projects to compete for sought-after jobs in growing industries.”
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