This article provides a field-based account of how to develop and implement an adult workplace literacy program for English as a Second Language (ESL) students based upon the principles of a social practices definition of literacy. The purpose of the program is to provide basic literacy instruction for the growing population of Spanish-speaking…

The interaction of agency and context in workplace learning is explored through a micro-analysis of the implementation of networked learning communities in schools in England. Interviews with local activists show evidence of co-participation between individuals' responses and their workplace roles and experience as they take up the opportunity to…

This addendum to the curriculum and report consists of the appendixes to the report. The National Workplace Literacy Partnership (NWLP) Grant for banking employees was funded to improve the English language abilities of over 300 employees of 4 banking partners. Nine appendixes which make up about 90% of the publication include: class schedules;…

This ERIC FAST Bib presents annotations concerning four major areas related to workplace literacy: (1) the definition and design of curriculum; (2) trends, issues, and challenges in workplace literacy; (3) model programs and projects; and (4) reference materials for practitioners. Contents include annotations of 45 journal articles, conference…

A study examined the writing practices, attitudes, and beliefs about the importance of writing at work of "basic" writers and "strong" writers. Subjects were graduates of Francis Marion College for the years 1984 to 1989. Questionnaires were returned by 119 of the 182 basic writers (identified through placement in remedial…

Two literacy programs based at the State University of New York, College at Brockport (SUNY-Brockport) universities have achieved some success, but both programs have changed, for various reasons. University students have much to gain from their involvement in literacy programs, including the satisfaction of helping others, the opportunity to…

The relative costs and benefits of workplace literacy training were analyzed. An analysis based on eight benefits/costs (training costs; higher productivity; high wages; nonwage compensation; less worker turnover; safer workplace; higher taxes; and improved self-esteem) established that workplace literacy training offers net benefits for workers,…

Employers, unions, and government agencies are placing increasing emphasis on evaluation of workplace literacy programs. Because workplace literacy programs are generally short, focused on workplace-specific literacy tasks, and small, the standardized tests that have traditionally been used to assess school programs are inappropriate for…

This manual is intended to help workplace education practitioners understand the program evaluation process. The manual begins with a discussion of the issues involved in choosing an approach to evaluating workplace education programs. Six assumptions about objectives, development, management, and evaluation of workplace education programs are…

Three issues of this newsletter (Spring, Summer, and Fall/Winter), produced by the Project in Adult Immigrant Education at the Center for Applied Linguistics, provide information from the field of adult immigrant education, highlights of programs in a particular industry, "promising practices" in training and development, new resources, and…

A project created a model for literacy councils that would allow them to form working partnerships with small businesses and provide instruction based on the needs of both the employer and the employee. Fifty employers received Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC) program information by mail; 20 participated in a workplace survey. Three…

This document is the instructor's edition of a learning module that is designed to be presented as an 8-hour workshop to help workers master the skills needed for effective writing in the workplace. It was developed by educators from the Emily Griffith Opportunity School. The workshop materials are designed to enable participants to do the…

Developed by educators from the Emily Griffith Opportunity School, this teacher's guide was developed for a 4-hour workshop to teach employees how to read the charts and graphs they need in the workplace. The unit covers four types of graphs: pictographs, bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs. The guide is divided into four sections: reading…

This report describes a mentoring pilot project developed by the Massachusetts Department of Education to meet the staff training and development needs of workplace educators in a National Workplace Literacy Program. The mentoring concept was chosen because one-on-one relationships between experienced and less experienced workplace educators were…

The Attleboro (Massachusetts) Workplace Education Program, a partnership of four area companies and Bristol Community College, is intended to provide workers with education that will improve the quality of their lives and their work. Housed in a corporate office building in the Attleboro Industrial Park, the program offers classes in English as a…