"You are providing
employees with skills they
can use in other parts of their
lives, such as at the doctor or
at their child's school. These
employees also get better at
their jobs and become better
community members."
– Brian Skelton, ELL instructor
at Fox Valley Technical College
that he understands what to do because in his culture it's not
OK to ask questions.
"There's a big difference in relationships between
managers and employees in other cultures," says Marie
Martin, director of FVTC's Global Education Services. "If
a manager asks if something can be done by a certain time,
an employee may agree that it can be done because she was
taught to never disagree with a higher-up. You almost have
to follow it up by saying, 'Are you sure? It's OK to say more
time is needed.' "
Martin adds that FVTC's assistance extends beyond
local workforces. Some local companies, that work a lot
with businesses overseas such as in India seek assistance to
better understand the cultural differences. "There are some
phrases or things they need to better understand to make
the work experience the best it can be," she says.
The overall community benefits from the investment
companies make to teach employees English, Skelton says.
"Sometimes companies aren't sure about this (ELL
classes), but I tell them they are investing not only in their
employees, but also the community. You are providing
employees with skills they can use in other parts of their
lives, such as at the doctor or at their child's school," he says.
"These employees also get better at their jobs and become
better community members."
w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m May 2013
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