The Literacy Coalition’s Workplace and Community Education program grew this year, adding English classes for employees at various sites including Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach. With a multicultural staff and employees with a native language other than English, Hunters Run wanted to provide the employees with the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and language skills while increasing their confidence and ability to communicate with fellow employees, managers and members.
The Literacy Coalition offered a beginning-level and advanced-level class for employees mainly in the housekeeping, maintenance and food and beverage departments. The lessons were tailored specifically to each group and the language needed to be most effective on the job. Pavel, a maintenance department employee from Cuba, participated in the beginning level class and shared, “The classes let me understand basic things about the language and gave me more confidence in speaking with others. I like that I can ask many questions, so I continue to improve.” Two sisters from Mexico, Ingrid and Ilse, participated in the advanced level class. When asked about the classes, they both expressed gratitude for the interactive activities that allowed them to learn, try and engage with the English language. Ingrid said, “The classes have really helped me to improve and develop better skills in my job and personal life.” Ilse most appreciated learning common expressions and idioms that she hears regularly from club members.
The program began with a three-month pilot program in January and all students made notable progress. As the manager of the maintenance department shared with the students at the end of the three-month class, he has loved seeing his staff engaging more with each other and him in English. He particularly mentioned Pavel and his ability to ask questions about the job and English language. At the end of the three months, the Director of Human Resources said, “We are excited with the results of this pilot program and cannot wait to continue this partnership with you!”
