Teaching English in the Workplace Interest Group (TEW-IG)





What is TEW-IG?

TEW-IG is an interest group composed of CATESOL members interested and involved in teaching English in the workplace.

We welcome teachers, trainers, administrators, curriculum developers, and all others who are interested in learning about the field of teaching English in the workplace.

What Can TEW-IG Offer Me?

TEW-IG offers ESL educators in California and Nevada the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the unique language and complex communication issues encountered in today's increasingly diverse business culture.

As a member of TEW-IG, you can:

  • Learn from the experts by attending our conference presentations.

  • Read about the latest trends in our field in articles in the CATESOL News.

  • Develop applicable skills.

  • Serve in a leadership position as an officer in our dynamic growing group.

How Do I Join TEW-IG?

Joining TEW-IG is at no cost to you, but you must first be a member of CATESOL.

CATESOL Member Information

When you join CATESOL or renew your membership, you may choose two interest groups, a primary and a secondary.

No additional fees are required to become an interest group member.

To join before you next renew your membership, notify Don Sillings, catesol@catesol.org.

How Do I Join the TEW-IG E-mail Discussion List?

The method for subscribing to the TEW list is to send a blank email to "tew-subscribe@catesol.org". To unsubscribe, send a blank email to "tew-unsubscribe@catesol.org". Note that both the "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands must be sent from the email address that will be/is used on the list.

TEW-IG Steering Committee and Regional Representatives 2012-2013

TEW-IG Steering Committee:

  • Coordinator – Danielle Pelletier (danielle.pelletier[at]englishleague.com)
  • Coordinator Elect – Marilyn Weixel (marilyn[at]weixel.net)
  • Listserv Manager/Moderator – Erika Rose (catesolerika[at]att.net)

Selected Resources for Teachers in the Workplace

Books

Bailey, K.M. (1998). Learning About Language Assessment: Dilemmas, Decisions, and Directions. New York: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

Belfiore, Mary Ellen & Bunaby, Barbara. (1995). Teaching English in the Workplace. Toronto: Pippin Publishing. http://www.pippinpub.com/viewbook.asp?book_isbn=0-88751-063-9

Hutchinson, Tom & Waters, Alan. (1986). English for Specific Purposes. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Friedenberg, Joan, Kennedy, Deborah, Lomperis, Anne, William Martin, Martin, Westerfield, Kay, Van Naerssen, Margaret. (2003). Effective Practices in Workplace Language Training: Guidelines for Providers of Workplace English Language Training. Alexandria, Virginia: TESOL Publications. http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=285&DID=1835

This book is a valuable resource for workplace language training providers as well as corporations and organizations wishing to employ such provider services. It serves as a guide to promote quality and accountability among providers. The book also offers insights that enable providers and client organizations to develop realistic expectations for their workplace language training programs. The practices outlined in this text are illustrated with useful case studies drawn from successful English Language training situations.

Websites

These sites were suggested by members of CATESOL’s TEW Interest Group at a rap session in November, 2006. (Updated 1/15/2007)

Teaching Materials and Resources

  • www.eslcafe.com: A well-known and popular, somewhat "busy" site with some applicable teaching resources.
  • www.esl-lounge.com > Resources for Teachers. Provides links to other ESL/EFL websites.
  • Search Google for "videos and ESL" to find suitable teaching videos.
  • lessons.ovient.com: Free lesson plans and materials for teaching English to business professionals.
  • www.otan.us > Resources > References Libraries. This site has six libraries of useful research and material, including the VESL/Workplace Clearinghouse and Employment Training Library.
  • www.cal.org/caela: Sponsored by the Dept. of Ed. and the Center for Applied Linguistics, CAELA is a rich resource for research studies, instructional curricula, information on language acquisition, and training materials.

Workplace & Corporate Training Information

  • www.cete.org: Ohio State Univ. Center on Education and Training for Employment has almost 500 publications available, some containing curricula for specific jobs (vocational education).
  • www.workforce3one.org: A collaborative network of government and private entities focused on workforce training and development, not specifically TEW. You can search for model training programs for various jobs.
  • www.bls.gov > Occupational Outlook Handbook: You can search this site for job descriptions of all kinds to help develop needs analyses for TEW contracts.

Adult Literacy Research & Practice

  • www.ncsall.net: The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. Government funding has ended, but the website remains, where you can search for back issues of "Focus on Basics," including one on TEW.
  • www.workbase.org.nz: A portal to information on workplace programs and resources from New Zealand.

Technology for Teaching

  • www.polderbits.com: Inexpensive software to convert cassette tapes to CD's
  • www.freeconferencecall.com: A free service for recording conference calls, that can be converted to MP3 files, downloaded and saved for analysis of client speaking skills.
  • www.blogger.com: A site to set up blogs for your students
  • www.englishcaster.com, also BBC, PBS, VOA, CNN, NPR, KQED (probably all .org) for you or students to download podcasts for listening practice.

Professional Development

  • www.calpro-online.org: California Adult Literacy Professional Development Project tracks workshops, seminars, on-line courses for professional development.

Networking

  • TEW LinkedIn Group: This group is a forum for English teachers to discuss problems and exchange ideas about teaching in the workplace.
  • BESIG LinkedIn Group: BESIG is the Business English Special Interest Group of IATEFL - the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language.
  • Facebook CATESOL TEW Group: If you're on Facebook, do a search for CATESOL TEW and join the group.

For Students

  • www.m-w.com: Merriam Webster Online Dictionary provides pronunciation of words as well as definitions, thesaurus, and encyclopedia information.
  • www.news.google.com: To find collocations for words or phrases, type a word or phrase (put quotation marks around phrases) into search box. Google finds sentences in recent news articles using that word or phrase. Good for business idioms.
  • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/: For writing support. (Teachers will need to navigate the site to find specific addresses for ESL support of different types.)
  • www.elevatorpitch.com: For business people who need to develop a short "catchy" statement describing their services or products.
  • http://fbox.vt.edu/eng/mech/writing: Writing support for scientists and engineers, including templates for presentations and reports.