Planning Literacy and Language Services
for Texas' Limited English Proficient Workers:
The Devil is in the Details

Handout # 6: What to Look For in Workforce-Related Instructional Programs

Allene Guss Grognet (1997) offers a fairly comprehensive collection of workforce-related curriculum topics. These may prove helpful in rating current programs, in preparing program criteria, and in developing instructional materials. Stakeholders may want to add other topics.

1. Workplace Communication Expectations

• greeting coworkers
• asking questions
• making "small talk"
• reporting problems and progress
• calling in sick or late
• requesting time off or permission to leave early
• responding to interruption and criticism
• making suggestions
• accepting and declining requests and invitations
• asking for and giving clarification and verification
• apologizing

2. Following Directions and Instructions

• identifying listening strategies for directions
• understanding quality control language
• understanding words of sequencing
• giving feedback to directions
• asking for, giving, and following directions
• giving and responding to warnings
• understanding and following worksite rules
• following safety rules

3. Job-Specific Terminology

• identification of one's job
• enumeration of the tasks
• description of the tasks
• identification and description of tools, equipment and machinery
• identification of products and processes

4. Cross-cultural Factors

• food and eating habits
• personal hygiene, habits, and appearance
• cultural values of the American workplace
• understanding workplace hierarchies
• understanding "unwritten rules"
• recognizing problems and understanding appropriate problem-solving strategies

5. Company Organization and Culture

• management functions
• union functions
• personnel policies, procedures, and benefits
• performance evaluations
• rewards and recognition

6. Upgrading and Training

• understanding career opportunities and the need for training

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