Destination Workforce®: Working Towards Literacy
July 7, 2017 at 1:09 PM | Posted in Destination Workforce, ESOL, Teaching | Comments Off on Destination Workforce®: Working Towards LiteracyNationwide, 24% of the educated immigrant and refugee workforce is underemployed or unemployed [i], while over half of all immigrants in Fairfax County have limited English proficiency [ii]. LCNV’s Destination Workforce® is a response to these demographic and workforce demands. Developed as a fast-track language program for on-the-job or job readiness English language learning, each Destination Workforce® course is created in partnership with a local business or community organization. The class is customized to the specific needs of the partner, to cover industry or job specific vocabulary as well as U.S. work culture and professional etiquette. In the last few months, LCNV launched two unique Destination Workforce® programs in collaboration with different industry partners. Each is oriented towards helping individuals advance in their careers and job prospects.
The City of Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center VIEW Program sought LCNV’s expertise with beginning level English language and literacy learners to develop an intensive course to help newly arrived refugees – unable to read or write in their native languages and lacking any English proficiency – gain basic English literacy. As recipients of TANF funding, these clients are expected to assimilate and begin working within 90 days. With this 90-day deadline in mind, LCNV developed its most intensive beginning level Destination Workforce® program to date. The four week pilot class met four times a week for four hours at a time in Alexandria and was led by one teacher and three class aides, keeping the student-instructor ratio around 3:1. The course curriculum covered the very basics of workforce-English readiness to enable new immigrants to assimilate into the world of U.S. employment.
In the classroom, the students started tentatively but made great strides in a short period of time. The students’ initial fears of learning a new language – for some, this was their first formal classroom experience –evaporated quickly, and they readily made introductions and spoke about their newfound English skills by the end of the course. One of the key achievements that the students reported was their ability to speak about their personal information (such as their address, name and phone number) and their improved comfort and confidence while speaking English. The testing results also demonstrate just how far these students have come in a short period of time: all but one of the post-tested students made gains in their Best-Plus 2.0 scores. In fact, a majority of these students jumped one or even two Educational Functioning Levels! The husband of one of the students recently wrote, “Although the duration of this course was short and its content was very basic, [my wife] has learnt a lot. She is so happy the way she was [taught] and treated by her class teacher and class aides. According to some of her classmates who have been to other similar classes, this was the best class they have ever been [in].” LCNV is thrilled to provide these students with the first steps toward the path to workforce readiness, and is already planning a follow-up class for the same cohort focused on their speaking skills and how to approach the job application process.
One of the core competencies in Destination Workforce® programs is to improve the learners’ understanding of formal speech. Success is measured when formal requests by supervisors are understood correctly the first time, leading to higher levels of productivity and better communications. In industries where formal requests come from customers such as hospitality, this improves levels of customer service and satisfaction. An example of Destination Workforce® in the hospitality industry is LCNV’s partnership with B.F. Saul’s Crowne Plaza in Tysons Corner, VA.
LCNV began its partnership with B.F. Saul with the help of Tysons Partnership, a nonprofit collaborative of Tysons Corner Stakeholders. B.F. Saul had previously tried on-site ESL instruction for hospitality staff that was met with limited success, and sought a partnership with LCNV to increase employee successes in learning English. With 12 different employees participating, the Crowne Plaza-Tysons Corner class is off to a great start. Curriculum is focused on the day-to-day service provided by these employees, all of whom are housekeeping or banquet staff. One of the goals outlined by B.F. Saul is for their employees to “Know Your Hotel”. This means that employees will be able to answer standard job-related questions such as “where is the pool?” On an average day in the classroom, employees can be seen practicing dialogues about special requests for room preparation, or learning how to answer questions from customers about food options. During the development of this program, Crowne Plaza-Tysons Corner has been an outstanding partner. Employees meet twice a week for two hours while on the clock, and receive free lunch during class time. LCNV applauds Crowne Plaza-Tysons Corner for making this investment in the professional development of its dedicated employees.
LCNV will be expanding its Destination Workforce® programs with the help of new and committed partners during the 2018 fiscal year. The Literacy Council looks forward to expanding access to employee literacy programs with even more partners in the coming months.
[i] McHugh, Margie and Madeleine Morawski. 2015. Immigrants and WIOA Services: Comparison of Sociodemographic Characteristics of Native- and Foreign-Born Adults in the United States. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute.
[ii] PolicyLink and The USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity. 2015. Equitable Growth Profile of Fairfax County. Oakland, CA: PolicyLink.
Upcoming ESOL Parent Meeting
November 9, 2012 at 8:00 AM | Posted in ESOL, Family Learning, Uncategorized, Volunteers | Comments Off on Upcoming ESOL Parent MeetingTags: ESOL Parent Meeting, ESOL Services, Fairfax County
Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting its last ESOL Parent Meeting on November 13, 2012
(Tuesday) from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Woodson High School in Fairfax. Dinner and childcare are provided, as well as interpreters for Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Fairfax County Public Schools holds these meetings for parents to learn about ESOL services available to their children, the new elementary progress report, advanced academic offerings, preparing for college and career, and other services to support families.
Samantha Poyta, Parent Education Coordinator for SCAN of Northern Virginia & Carisa Pineda, LCNV’s Family Learning Specialist at Hayfield Secondary ESOL Parent Meeting
The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia was present at the first two meetings. The first meeting was held at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria on October 10 and the second was at Chantilly High School in Chantilly on October 22. Parents were very interested in LCNV’s offerings and filled out forms to receive information about classes for next semester; they also showed interest in ongoing conversation classes. LCNV will also be attending the Parent Meeting at Woodson. A special thank you goes to volunteer Julia Zurkovsky who attended the Chantilly meeting on LCNV’s behalf and will be attending the Woodson meeting.
To learn more about the FCPS ESOL Parent Meetings, go to http://www.fcps.edu/is/esol/parents.shtml.
Photo: Samantha Poyta, Parent Education Coordinator for SCAN of Northern Virginia
and Carisa Pineda, Family Learning Specialist LCNV
at Hayfield Secondary ESOL Parent Meeting on October 10
Carisa C. Pineda
Family Learning Specialist
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866 x 108
www.lcnv.org
LCNV Students Learn about Civics & Community
November 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM | Posted in ESOL, Teaching | 1 CommentTags: AmeriCorps, citizenship, civic engagement, esol learners, naturalization ceremony, USCIS
As an AmeriCorps instructor for LCNV, I try to provide a place for adult students to experience English. In this regard, October 11 was a gift – I was able to bring my students to one of two Naturalization Ceremonies, which the James Lee Community Center hosted. A new LCNV student, Candida, participated in the ceremony and is now an American citizen! The Naturalization Ceremony compliments the curriculum in LCNV’s Civics and Community term:
Where are you from? What’s your name? What languages do you speak? Speaking about basic personal information is a crucial life skill. At the beginning of the term, my class also practiced this skill to build a sense of community. We weren’t learning English alone; we were learning English with peers from eight different countries and five different language backgrounds. Before reciting the Oath of Allegiance, naturalization candidates stand when their home countries are called. There’s no mistaking what it means for individuals, who hail from dozens of countries, to initially stand separated by country, then as one as U.S. citizens.
But what is a “citizen”? When we practiced filling out forms with basic personal information, my class profiled important American figures and world leaders. Some students became familiar with President Obama, Governor Mitt Romney, and Governor Bob McDonnell for the first time. When the ceremony prompted the question of what it means to be a citizen, we demonstrated how a person with U.S. citizenship can elect Barack Obama or Mitt Romney this November for president.
Even further, the ceremony motivated two of my students to share that they too want to pass the citizenship test – a chance to avail them of LCNV’s tutoring services. Events like the Naturalization Ceremony are English-in-action, illustrating ways to expand LCNV lessons and activities into the Northern Virginia community.
Gratitude must go to the James Lee Community Center for co-hosting the Naturalization Ceremonies with LCNV, and to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for permitting our classes to join in the celebratory occasion.
Xavier Muñoz, AmeriCorps Instructor
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866 x 108
http://www.lcnv.org
LCNV Office Closed on 10/26/2012
October 24, 2012 at 2:37 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, ESOL, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on LCNV Office Closed on 10/26/2012On Friday, October 26, 2012, LCNV’s main office will be closed all day due to the installation of a new HVAC system at the James Lee Community Center. Staff will be working from home and will be accessible by email. The AmeriCorps Launch is not affected by this closure and will take place as planned. This closure is unexpected, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
POSTPONED – Volunteer Open House in Lorton
October 23, 2012 at 8:29 PM | Posted in Class, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Uncategorized, Volunteers | Comments Off on POSTPONED – Volunteer Open House in LortonTags: English, ESL, ESOL, learn, literacy, Lorton, Volunteer
* Due to the expected severe weather, this event is postponed. We will announce a new date soon!
Open House: Learn about Adult Literacy & ESOL Volunteer Opportunities!
Monday, October 29, 2012, 7:00 pm
Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA
Come hear about how you can make a difference as a Literacy Council volunteer!
LCNV’s mission is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English, so they are empowered to participate more fully and confidently in their communities. LCNV’s approach is to involve volunteers as the English instructors for our adult learners. With LCNV training and support, volunteers help their neighbors directly. The Council has a dire need for more volunteers in and around Lorton.
Volunteers can serve as tutors, who work one-on-one with a learner, or as classroom teachers or aides who work with groups of 10-15 adults at a time. The Council also offers many non-teaching opportunities, from helping out in our office, to supporting special events and outreach. If you are interested in promoting adult literacy in Lorton, we’ll find something that fits your interests!
Join us on the evening of the 29th to learn about the Council’s work and how you can help someone in your neighborhood develop the English skills necessary to succeed!
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Ruba Afzal, LCNV’s Director of Volunteers, at 703-237-0866 x 111 or volunteers@lcnv.org.
Last Chance to Register for RACE FOR A CAUSE!
October 9, 2012 at 10:30 AM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Last Chance to Register for RACE FOR A CAUSE!Tags: 1 Mile Fun Run, 8k, acumen solutions, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, arlington race, Basic Adult Literacy, Boy and Girls Club, Children, community, Fairfax Education, family event, family fun, Family Learning, for love of children, friends, give, giving, Greenbrier Learning Center, James Lee Community Center, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, local superheroes, north quincy street, October 14th, Our Daily Bread, race for a cause, run for local charities, run or walk, select the non-profit of your choice, students, The Reading Connection, the women's center, the women's centert, united for d.c., Volunteer, volunteers, you get to be a superhero too, young playwright's theatre
Don’t miss your chance to sign up to support the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia for the Acumen Solutions™ Race for a Cause 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run, which takes place this Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Arlington.
This a great event with a “super” post race event, which includes yummy food from Anita’s, Chidogo’s, and Whole Foods, as well as fun kids activities AND awesome raffle prizes for “big” kids (must be present to win)! Come support our local Superheroes. We encourage you to sport your favorite “superhero” attire! Don’t have a cape? Acumen Solutions will also be providing capes to all youth registrants!
We still need 40 registrants to be eligible for race proceeds. YOU can help us reach our goal! Join our walking literacy team?
Not in town? Sponsor a friend or family member as a runner! Every donation – big or small – helps support our cause. Please call or email Suzie Eaton (seaton@lcnv.org) with any questions and go to www.theraceforacause.com to sign up!
Registration Costs
- 8k: $35 through October 13
- $40 Race Day
- 1 Mile Fun Run: $20 Youth (no shirt; gift will be provided!);$35 Adult (8k technical T-shirt)
Registration Packet Pickup @ Potomac River Running Store, Arlington:
- Friday October 12, 4-8 pm
- Saturday October 13, 11 am – 4 pm
- Sunday October 14 (Race Day), 6:30 am – 7:30 am
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866
www.LCNV.org
Blog at WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.
Race for a Cause is this Sunday!
October 12, 2012 at 3:29 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Comments Off on Race for a Cause is this Sunday!Tags: 1 Mile Fun Run, 8k, acumen solutions, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, arlington race, Basic Adult Literacy, Biggest Loser, Boy and Girls Club, Children, Class, community, Development, ESOL, Fairfax Education, family event, family fun, Family Learning, Family Learning | Leave a comment Edit this post Tags: give, for love of children, friends, giving, Greenbrier Learning Center, James Lee Community Center, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, local superheroes, north quincy street, October 14th, Our Daily Bread, race for a cause, run for local charities, run or walk, select the non-profit of your choice, Sione Fa, students, The Reading Connection, the women's center, the women's centert, tutoring, united for d.c., Volunteer, volunteers, you get to be a superhero too, young playwright's theatre
Online registration is closed BUT you can still sign up in person at the Potomac River Running store in Arlington; don’t forget to select the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia as your charity. If you go to Potomac River Running today and sign up, you could meet Sione Fa from The Biggest Loser!
Packet pickup and registration times follow:
The race will be just off Quincy Street at the intersection of Quincy and Wilson Blvd; use the Potomac River Running Store (3924 Wilson Blvd) as your “address”. Participants will warm up at approximately 7:40 AM, with guest Sione Fa. The 8k race starts at 8:00 AM. The Fun Run will start at approximately 8:06 AM. There will be a fun post event, which includes good food and a raffle prize give away.
Come support local Superheroes like the Literacy Council – costumes are encouraged! Acumen Solutions will provide capes to all youth registrants!
Hope to see you this Sunday.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866
www.LCNV.org