Using “English for Work Interactive” in the Classroom

an MLC Technology Mini-Grant

Bethany GustafsonFunctional Work English Instructor

MLC Learning Center—Arlington Hills

Quiz

1. How many people in Minneapolis age 5 and over speak English “less than very well”?

2. How many people in St. Paul age 5 and over speak English “less than very well”?

3. In Hennepin county, which of the following industry types employs the highest percentage of limited English speaking workers?

a. Education, health, social services

b. Manufacturing

c. Accommodation and food service

Answers

1. 10.7%

2. 11.7%

3. B

manufacturing– 26%

arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services—19%

educational, health and social services—13%

Source: US Census

Purposes

• Assist learners in acquiring basic vocabulary for selected entry level jobs

• Provide instructors with authentic job-related media

• Connect computer literacy with classroom content

What’s on this CD?

• 6 job units: housekeeper, packager, food prep worker, dishwasher, custodian and laundry worker

• 4 files each: vocabulary, video, video with sound, video with sound and text

• MS Word documents of the texts

The Workplaces & Vocabulary

• Filmed in actual workplaces with permission• Vocabulary and job activities based on job

descriptions from www.iseek.org (MN Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge) and conversations with supervisors and employees

• Present tense used to stay close to base verb form

Technology

• Adobe Flash Player (free download) required to play files

• Headphones ideal for individual learner use• Additional speakers needed for classroom use• Files will play from CDs or can be saved on

computers

Pre-Teach

• Advance through the vocabulary pages using the left/right arrow keys.

• Start and stop videos using the control (Ctrl) and enter keys.

• If needed, put small colored dots on the keyboard to label them.

Your turn…

Take 10-15 minutes to explore

the files on the CD.

Instructions for opening files are in handouts.

Language and Content Focuses

• Basic language skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking

• Verb tenses (past, present, present progressive)• Sequencing words (first, next, after that, last)• Describing work activities for job applications

and interviews• Work attire and safety

Classroom Activities

Watch and write

• Whole class activity• Ideal for lower levels• Similar to Language Experience Approach• Use text as a basis for subsequent activities

Order the steps

• Print text with one sentence per line• Students listen to the video with sound and put

the sentences in order• For checking comprehension, do activity

without listening component

Variations on vocabulary

• Fill in the words• Concentration• What does _________ mean?

Cloze

• Create customized cloze activities based on learner levels

• Use video text or class-generated text

Reflect:

• How could you incorporate “English for Work” into your curriculum or lessons?

• What language skills or grammar points could you teach or reinforce?

• Do you have questions about the technology aspect of using “English for Work”?

• Other questions?