If the level of knowledge is the same, should the language make a
difference? My husband came to the US as a 13 year old boy. He only
learned English as a secondary school student, yet earned a high school
diploma, two college degrees and completed coursework for his PhD. Does
it matter he still computes math in Spanish? The skills are the same.

 

If the worker can communicate in the language used at work, I do not
think they should be discriminated against because the GED is in another
language.

 

Vicky Lichty 

Coordinator/Move Up

Reading Area Community College

 

________________________________

From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Adam W Nathanson/nathansonaw/O/VCU
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 11:31 AM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Workplace 1130] Re: dual language programs

 


Soon GED certificates will specify whether learners achieved their
diplomas in English, French or Spanish.  Obviously, in the  United
States the English one will be more valued by employers and educational
institutions.  So I think that whatever one's native language is, here
in the U.S. it's best to shoot for a GED in English. 
------------------------------------------------------
Adam Nathanson
Financial Literacy Project Coordinator
Virginia Commonwealth University
Division of Community Engagement
Mary & Frances Youth Center. Rm. 112
120 South Linden Street, Box 843062 
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3062

(804) 828-7126 p / (804) 827-1739 f
nathansonaw at vcu.edu
-------------------------------------------------------- 



"Chrissie A. Klinger" <cklinger at crsd.k12.pa.us> 
Sent by: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov 

01/11/2008 10:12 AM 

Please respond to
The Workplace Literacy Discussion List <workplace at nifl.gov>

To

"The Workplace Literacy Discussion List" <workplace at nifl.gov> 

cc

<workplace-bounces at nifl.gov> 

Subject

[Workplace 1129] Re: dual language programs

 

 

 




I just wanted to share something interesting I recently heard from an
ESL learner.  She said when she went for her GED test they offered to
give her the Spanish version and she said no.  Her reason was that she
wasn't confident that whoever may have translated/created the Spanish
version would do it properly and she felt if she took the test in
English she would know for sure what the questions asked.  She did very
well on her test and continues to work on her English skills almost as a
hobby.  So, it's always important to think about the resources we use
and the translations that might occur.  There are always different
dialects in very language that can confuse some learners. 
  
Chrissie Klinger 
"Doing things the same way and expecting a different result is a sign of
insanity"-Albert Einstein 
  

 

________________________________


From: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:workplace-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Adam W Nathanson/nathansonaw/O/VCU
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 9:05 AM
To: The Workplace Literacy Discussion List
Cc: Workplace Literacy Discussion List; workplace-bounces at nifl.gov
Subject: [Workplace 1128] dual language programs 
  

Terry and Everyone, 

Dual language programming sounds very exciting.  I have always wanted to
try English/Spanish GED classes towards learners achieving GEDs in
English.  The opportunity to provide occasional clarification in Spanish
for high-level learners ESOL learners pursuing English GEDs would be
great.  I also like the emphasizing your work on vocational opportunity
for those who are literate in two or more languages with English being
one.   

I find that sometimes literacy in the person's native language is not up
to speed for the workplace/professional environment, so in order to use
the other language(s) as a job market selling point, some adults need to
do a little supplementary work in their native languages. 

Thinking small, maybe some of this could be initially addressed as
skills shares at the community level with houses of worship and rec
centers.  Native English speakers could learn Arabic, Korean, or Spanish
while ESOL learners acquired English from them.  Of course that's
probably not up to snuff for vocational/professional demands, but it's a
start.  Perhaps it already exists?  There are probably lots of basic
toolkits for learning business level languages. 

Adam 
------------------------------------------------------
Adam Nathanson
Financial Literacy Project Coordinator
Virginia Commonwealth University
Division of Community Engagement
Mary & Frances Youth Center. Rm. 112
120 South Linden Street, Box 843062 
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3062

(804) 828-7126 p / (804) 827-1739 f
nathansonaw at vcu.edu
-------------------------------------------------------- 

"Brian, Dr Donna J G" <djgbrian at utk.edu> 
Sent by: workplace-bounces at nifl.gov 

01/10/2008 03:13 PM 

 

Please respond to
The Workplace Literacy Discussion List <workplace at nifl.gov>

 

To

"Workplace Literacy Discussion List" <workplace at nifl.gov> 

cc

  

Subject

[Workplace 1126] Welcome a new member to the Workplace Literacy
Discussion List


  

 

  

 





Please welcome a new member to the Workplace Literacy Discussion List.
Do any of you have information you could share with Terry about dual
language workplace literacy programs? 
  


  

________________________________



 
I'm Terry Shearer.  I am an Adult Education Specialist for a regional
education center.  I have been in the field of education for 30 years.
I have developed and taught workplace programs mostly in the Houston
area. 
 
I joined the Workplace Literacy discussion list because I am very
interested in developing dual language programs that develop work skills
in two languages.  The difference between Bilingual Vocational Programs
and Dual Language Vocational Programs is that the student's language
skills are developed as a vocational skill and not just used to transfer
skills to an English speaking environment.   
 
I coordinated a program like this from 1995 to 1998 when funding (Carl
Perkins) ran out for this demonstration project.  The project was able
to place many students because business and industry has a growing need
for workers with bilingual skills.  I have been researching dual
language programs in Europe that are funded by the European Union.  I
would welcome any information about dual language programs in the US.   
 
  


  

________________________________




Donna 
 
Donna Brian 
Moderator, LINCS Workplace Literacy Discussion List 
Off-list contact djgbrian at utk.edu <mailto:djgbrian at utk.edu>  
 
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workplace at nifl.gov <mailto:workplace at nifl.gov>  
 
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