Workplace Literacy & Project Read

As American businesses re-tool to meet the demands of a global economy, American workers face a future in which they must continually upgrade their knowledge and skills -- or learn new skills -- in order to remain competitive and increase their earning power.

What is Workplace Literacy?

A workplace literacy class is one offered at a business/industry site to help employees to improve basic skills such as reading, writing and computation and to enhance thinking skills such as problem solving and decision making. The focus of the class work can be on work improvement, personal improvement, or both.

Typically, the lessons aim to address issues such as:

• Job Safety,
• Responding to Oral and Written Instructions;
• Asking for Clarifications;
• Taking Telephone Messages:
• Dealing With Misunderstandings and Problems,
• Communicating Effectively With Supervisors, Co-Workers And/Or Customers

Workplace Literacy and Project Read-Menlo Park

Our workplace literacy program reaches out to all employees including the limited English speakers, who are currently in the labor force and who need to understand and develop skills for appropriate communication at work.

Teachers and volunteer tutors from Project Read teach reading and writing in English on site to employees of local businesses. Employers provide classroom space, books and work-related materials for instruction, and release time for learners.

They may also encourage their other employees to share their literacy skills by becoming trained tutors. Both workers and companies benefit, not only in areas of "practical" skills and productivity, but also in building worker morale and self-esteem, and enhancing labor-management relations.

How can you help?

If you are aware of people in your workplace who may benefit from free tutoring in English at the worksite, you can

• Publicize and distribute our literacy information (flyers, brochures etc. ) in your workplace
• Have a Project Read speaker address your company/organization
• Provide in-kind assistance (i.e. space to hold classes, donations of equipment; printing of instructional materials)
• Make a contribution ( money or resources)
• Sponsor/ Participate in a literacy event.

• Sponsor tutor training for volunteers at your workplace
• Identify a literacy coordinator within the company ( i.e. assist with student recruiting)
• Establish company tutorial programs

Our program presently has a number of workplace literacy sites in the area.
Please call PROJECT READ-MENLO PARK at (650) 321-8818

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