Workplace English

Language Support for Foreign EmployeesMike Smith : Language Support for Foreign Employees Mike Smith Non-native English speakers in your workforce Options for managing the challenges, and maximising the opportunities

Terminology : Terminology Teaching English (ESL+EFL+ESP)=TESOL Testing English TOEIC-TOEFL (Asia/USA) IELTS/ BEC/Cambridge (Aust/Int)

Mike’s Background : Mike’s Background English Language Teacher Workplace Trainer Prof dev of teachers and trainers Science/technology/RAAF Capital acquisition (flight simulator) Quality/system engineering Requirements analysis/management

Global Knowledge Services Economy : Global Knowledge Services Economy If knowledge is a commodity then communication skill is the ‘currency’ of trade in knowledge better comm. skills => more success in trade of knowledge, info, data (intra- and inter-business)

Australian Skills Shortage : Australian Skills Shortage severe, medium term importing labour (non-native English speakers) not a new problem but… critical mass approaching affecting safety/productivity

Severity Increasing : Severity Increasing Labour market competition, retention Need for efficient use of labour Government regulation IELTS International Language Testing System Visa subclasses workplace regulations (safety, equity etc)

Situation Summary : Situation Summary Increasing non-native English speaking workforce Communication gap costing you time and money causing safety incidents ? lowering productivity tarnishing your reputation ?

Solutions : Solutions Don’t hire non-native English speakers ?? skills shortage, international trade, highly motivated, needed technical skills Improve their English skills Upskill trainers/supervisors/co-workers Consultant teacher/facilitator

Slide9 : Communication Model

Improve Their English Skills : Improve Their English Skills Takes (much) longer than you suppose Full-time Part-time Specialist Language Support

Full-Time Study : Full-Time Study Advantages relatively low per week cost fastest learning Disadvantages not well tailored to organisational need 1-2 (or 3) years removed from workplace inflexible delivery TAFE or Private ESL Colleges

Part-Time Study : Part-Time Study Advantages (somewhat) contextualised learning more flexible delivery combined with work Disadvantages takes even longer hard to find effective teachers for this role perhaps TAFE or Private ESL Colleges Private tutoring

Specialist Language Support : Specialist Language Support Advantages highly contextualised learning highly flexible delivery integrated with workplace culture industry/business aware teachers Disadvantages few providers Comprehensive Quality System Solution Advantages (cont) Requirements/needs analysis Tailored solution Performance monitoring Learner skills metrics Support HR budgeting Do it properly!

Improve Their English Skills : Improve Their English Skills Takes (much) longer than you suppose Full-time Part-time Specialist Language Support

Solutions – so far : Solutions – so far Don’t hire non-native English Speakers skills shortage international trade highly motivated technical skills Improve their English skills Upskill trainers/supervisors/co-workers Consultant teacher/facilitator

Upskill Trainers/Managers/co-workers : Upskill Trainers/Managers/ co-workers (not create English teachers) close the communication gap from the other side increase awareness effective strategies easy – cheap – quick few providers

Consultant Teacher/Facilitator : Consultant Teacher/Facilitator (not replace trainers) close the communication gap from the both sides targeted effort highly contextualised and tailored manage budgets and timeframes easy – cheap – quick few providers

Solutions – so far : Solutions – so far Don’t hire non-native English Speakers skills shortage international trade highly motivated technical skills Improve their English skills Upskill trainers/supervisors/co-workers Consultant teacher/facilitator

Slide19 : Communication Model Safety Productivity $$$

Thank you for your time,Any questions….? : Thank you for your time, Any questions….? www.workplaceenglish.com.au Mike Smith www.tesolplacements.com.au Nerolie Wallace