[9320] in Zephyr_Bugs
ESL.net Fall 2004 Newsletter
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (nl@esl.net)
Sun Sep 12 16:59:40 2004
From: nl@esl.net
Message-ID: <20040912133843.C25DB095EE1D638B@esl.net>
To: zephyr-bugs@mit.edu
Date: 12 Sep 2004 13:38:43 -0700
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<TD><FONT color=3D#003399 size=3D3> </FONT><FONT size=3D3><A href=3D"ht=
tp://www.esl.net"><B>Home</B></A><B> > <A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/news=
letters/index.html">Newsletters</A> > Fall 2004 </B></FONT></TD></TR>
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<UL><BR>
<LI><A href=3D"#feature"><STRONG>Industry News</STRONG></A> - Workplace Engl=
ish has Arrived=20
<LI><A href=3D"#Review"><B>Product Review</B></A> - English on the Job=AE=20=
<LI><STRONG><A href=3D"#Interview">Interview</A> - </STRONG>Questions and an=
swers with Aztec Software=20
<LI><A href=3D"#Trivia"><STRONG>Trivia Question</STRONG></A> - Win a free po=
cket translator=20
<LI><A href=3D"#Specials"><B>Recommeded Products</B></A> - The best bets for=
2004 and beyond=20
<LI><A href=3D"mailto:?subject=3DESL.net%20Newsletter&body=3Dhttp://www.=
esl.net/newsletters/Summer2004.html"><B>Send to a Friend</B></A> - Please fo=
rward to other ESL contacts=20
<LI><A href=3D"#Subscribe"><STRONG>Subscribe / Unsubscribe</STRONG></A> - Ch=
ange your mailing list preferences=20
<LI><STRONG><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/newsletters/Summer2004.html">Web P=
age Version of this Newsletter</A></STRONG> - Take a look at the web version=
of this newsletter </LI></UL>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D13>
<H2><A id=3DFeature name=3DFeature></A><FONT color=3D#b22222>Workplace Engli=
sh Has Arrived </FONT></H2>
<TABLE border=3D0 width=3D"100%">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dtop>
<DIV align=3Dright><IMG align=3Dleft alt=3D"Workplace English" height=3D190 =
src=3D"http://www.esl.net/images/workplace_english.jpg" width=3D179> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>Why the Sudden Need For Workplace English? <BR></=
STRONG><BR><STRONG></STRONG>According to a recent analysis by the Economic P=
olicy Institute (EPI), America has lost over 800,000 manufacturing jobs to M=
exico since the NAFTA agreement was signed in 1993. Add these numbers to the=
additional two million manufacturing jobs lost to China between 1995 and 20=
02, and it is easy to imagine that demand for unskilled manufacturing labor =
in the USA is at an all-time low. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>To make matters worse, over the past 5 years American com=
panies have been pressed to further increase quality and profits while reduc=
ing costs among traditional semi-skilled labor. One result has been outsourc=
ing. An exodus of desk jobs has moved overseas to India and other countries.=
An increasing demand at home for semi-skilled labor at unskilled labor pric=
es has also made an impact. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>With the continual weakening of unions, we have seen even=
more wage-earning jobs such as sales, customer service, secretarial, food s=
ervice, construction work, nursing, and hotel staff going to non-native Engl=
ish speakers. As has been true of past generations, recent immigrants are wi=
lling to work harder for lower pay in their quest for upward mobility. Many =
industries now directly recruit from the recent waves of immigration from La=
tin America, Vietnam, Haiti, The Russian Federation, Cambodia, Africa, and o=
ther immigrant communities. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>These close-knit communities have English skills that are=
not always sufficient to complete required job tasks and comprehend safety =
standards. Thus the demand for Workplace English solutions has grown steadil=
y. Many companies find it cheaper to train potential employees to speak Engl=
ish than to pay a native speaker to perform a similar job. Some of the first=
companies to see the need for Workplace English have been factories, hotels=
, and restaurants. This demand has now to spread to nearly every other indus=
try that is looking to add low-cost workers to its payrolls in order to bols=
ter the bottom line. </P>
<P><STRONG>Defining Workplace English </STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify>According to the international organization TESOL, Workpl=
ace English is categorized under English for Specific Purposes (ESP). ESP is=
not a 'general' English course but a course tailored to provide rapid fluen=
cy in a very specific area such as 'automotive' or 'nursing' vocabulary. An =
ESP student is not trained to attain overall fluency in all aspects of Engli=
sh, just in the specific subjects in which he or she is expected to perform.=
In an ideal world, ESP courses would be best integrated into a curriculum a=
fter completion of a more general language course. Normally, the goal of a l=
anguage course is to build a solid foundation of basic grammar, communicatio=
n, vocabulary, and writing skills that form a basis for all future learning,=
including the workplace. </P>
<P><STRONG>Advantages of Workplace English </STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify>The main advantages are economic. Since the learner is en=
gaged in building skills directly related to work, the learning time is gene=
rally shorter and more intense. The worker is happy because he can go to wor=
k sooner and start earning money more quickly. The employer is happy because=
they can save money by hiring a competent worker at a lower cost. </P>
<P><STRONG>Disadvantages of Workplace English </STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify>The Workplace English student may never attain a level of=
overall fluency, especially in regards to written skills. For instance, a w=
aiter might get to know food vocabulary very well but be unable to function =
in another environment should he be forced to move into another professional=
field. </P>
<P><STRONG>Appropriate Curriculum for Workplace English Courses </STRONG></P=
>
<P align=3Djustify>Different Workplace English programs will likely focus on=
different topics. Corporate Workplace English courses will likely focus on =
producing efficient employees. Thus the curriculum will relate to teaching v=
ocabulary necessary for producing a high quality product in a safe environme=
nt. A community or government sponsored Workplace English course will also i=
nclude more basic life skills such as: how to find jobs, apply for work, rel=
ate to co-workers, and talk to a boss or manager. </P>
<P><STRONG>What Solutions Exist for Workplace English Training? </STRONG></P=
>
<DIV align=3Djustify>Right now, <STRONG>ESL.net</STRONG> has just completed =
a brand new <STRONG>Workplace English</STRONG> section of our website. We ha=
ve product pages with full descriptions, downloads, demos, and more to choos=
e from for your Workplace English needs. Some of the solutions you will find=
are below. </DIV>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>Software:<BR></STRONG><STRONG><A href=3D"http://w=
ww.esl.net/aztec.html">Aztec Software</A><BR><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/e=
nglishonthejob.html">English on the Job</A><BR><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net=
/basic_life_skills_at_work.html">Basic Life Skills at Work</A></STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>Videos:<BR></STRONG><STRONG><A href=3D"http://www=
.esl.net/businessexpress.html">Business Express</A><BR><A href=3D"http://www=
.esl.net/americanscenes.html">American Scenes</A></STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>Textbooks:<BR></STRONG><B><A href=3D"http://www.e=
sl.net/working_experience.html">The Working Experience<BR></A><A href=3D"htt=
p://www.esl.net/basic_life_skills_at_work.html">Basic Life Skills at Work</A=
><BR><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/the_english_you_need_for_the_office.html"=
>The English You Need for the Office<BR></A><A href=3D"working_experience.ht=
ml"><BR></A>To learn more about workplace English solutions for corporate, g=
overnment, or educational use, please <A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/contact.=
php"><STRONG>contact a sales agent</STRONG></A> today.</B></P>
<P align=3Djustify class=3Dstyle1>Article byESL.net Staff Writer <A href=3D"=
mailto:larry@esl.net">Larry Zoumas</A> </P>
<H3 align=3Djustify>Other News: New Sales Agents at ESL.net</H3><STRONG>ESL.=
net</STRONG> has recently expanded its staff to include dedicated sales agen=
ts in Texas, California, Illinois, and Michigan. For more information please=
<A href=3D"contact.php">contact ESL.net Sales</A>. </DIV></TD></TR></TBODY>=
</TABLE>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D14>
<H2><A id=3DReview name=3DReview></A><SPAN class=3Dstyle5>Software Review:</=
SPAN></H2>
<H2>English on the Job Workplace English Suite</H2>
<TABLE border=3D1 borderColor=3D#003399 width=3D"100%">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD rowSpan=3D8 vAlign=3Dtop width=3D"18%">
<DIV align=3Dcenter><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/englishonthejob.html"><IMG=
alt=3D"English on the Job" border=3D0 height=3D99 src=3D"http://www.esl.net=
/images/english_onthejob_box_sm.jpg" width=3D90></A></DIV></TD>
<TD width=3D"22%">
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>Platform:</STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD width=3D"60%">Windows XP, 2000 (server and stand-a-lone) and 98 </TD></T=
R>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>Technology:</STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD>Speech Recognition, Speak and Repeat </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>Levels:</STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD>Pre-Lit, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Business </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>Scope:</STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD>Speaking, Reading, Listening </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>Admin: </STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD>Complete Student and Instructor Feedback and Reporting </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<DIV align=3Dright><STRONG>More Information:</STRONG></DIV></TD>
<TD><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/englishonthejob.html">http://www.esl.net/e=
nglishonthejob.html</A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P><B>Today in the United States</B> the population of people not speaking E=
nglish or not speaking English well enough to be understood by native langua=
ge speakers is experiencing significant growth. Organizations delivering ESL=
training (schools, government, CBO=19s) and businesses cannot keep up with =
the growing demand for ESL training. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>ESL Professionals are continually searching for tools tha=
t are proven with tested results that can help our clients to better serve t=
heir students, constituents, participants and employees. Every year there is=
an increasing number of Workplace English requests. A frequent request has =
been for a tool that provides the capability to practice, practice, practice=
speaking, reading and listening to English integrated with a topic specific=
curriculum. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>English on the Job=AE is the result of two years of resea=
rch, development and field-testing. It is the only voice recognition ESL tra=
ining software that focuses on =1CLife Survival English=1D and =1COccupation=
al English=1D topics. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>English on the Job=AE is designed for people who need to =
speak English for survival and/or occupational vocabulary well enough to be =
understood by native language speakers and well enough to perform a job task=
competently. It can be used as a supplement to classroom training and/or in=
a self-directed lab. </P>
<P align=3Djustify>At the moment, ESL learners at the preliterate, beginner,=
intermediate and advanced levels of English speaking skills are improving t=
heir English and their job prospects with English on the Job=AE. Read the fu=
ll review for more information.</P>
<P><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/englishonthejob_review.html" target=3Dblank=
><STRONG><IMG align=3DabsMiddle border=3D0 height=3D27 src=3D"http://www.esl=
.net/images/arrow.gif" width=3D37>Read the Full Review with screen shots and=
pricing...</STRONG></A></P>
<P class=3Dstyle1>Article by ESL.net Special Guest Writer <A href=3D"mailto:=
barry@languagesolutionsllc.com">Barry Baer</A> </P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dtop>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D14>
<A id=3DInterview name=3DInterview></A>
<H2><FONT color=3D#b22222>The ESL.net Interview</FONT></H2>
<P><EM>In this edition of ESL.net Interview, we talk with <A href=3D"mailto:=
lisa@aztecsoftware.com">Lisa Blitt</A> from <A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/az=
tec.html">Aztec Software</A>.</EM></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL.net:</STRONG> <STRONG>In one sentence, how wo=
uld you best describe Aztec Learning System to someone who had never heard o=
f it before?</STRONG><BR><STRONG><BR>LB:</STRONG> The Aztec Learning System =
is an Adult Basic Education remediation tool that uses life skills and workf=
orce scenarios to teach math and language arts.</P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL.net</STRONG>: <STRONG>25 years is a milestone=
for any company. What are the qualities that has made Aztec so successful?<=
/STRONG> </P>
<P align=3Djustify>Aztec Software was founded by educators with a strong com=
mitment to reinvest in delivering the highest quality products by responding=
to our clients needs.</P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL:</STRONG> <STRONG>Aztec has gained quite a re=
putation amongst GED teachers and remedial education specialists. Who else i=
s this program intended for?</STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify>LB: In the community college market, it is used for ABE a=
nd workforce development. The product is intended for special education, alt=
ernative education, workforce development all skills up to the community col=
lege level. </P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL.net:</STRONG> <STRONG>What are some recent de=
velopments and additions to the program in the past few years?</STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>LB:</STRONG> This year Aztec Software will be rel=
easing a number of new programs including: Step Up Program, an adult basic e=
ducation series with a reading level of 1st grade. 2LearnOnline.com, a web-b=
ased adult remediation program. Aztec Test Generator, a test generation tool=
that allows instructors to create unique tests whiles using the aztec manag=
ement system to track student success. </P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL.net:</STRONG> <STRONG>What has been the great=
est success story for Aztec in terms of creating an impact on students lives=
?</STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>LB:</STRONG> Success can be counted in a number o=
f ways, but no statistic can match the Aztec Learner's increased self-esteem=
and greater contribution to the communities in which they live. </P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>ESL.net</STRONG>: <STRONG>What is the future dire=
ction of the development of Aztec Learning System?</STRONG></P>
<P align=3Djustify><STRONG>LB:</STRONG> Aztec Software has made a commitment=
to continually introduce new and innovative products into the market. Withi=
n the next year Aztec will be introducing a Personal Math Series with topics=
such as, managing a bank account and budgeting for bills. Additional progra=
ms are expected to be released at a rate of one per year.<STRONG> </STRONG>I=
n addition to new releases Aztec continually assesses the platforms on which=
its programs are delivered.</P>
<P><EM>Questions asked by <A href=3D"mailto:larry@esl.net">Larry Zoumas</A> =
of ESL.net</EM><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE align=3Dcenter border=3D1 borderColor=3D#003399 cellPadding=3D4 width=
=3D680>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D14>
<H2><A id=3DTrivia name=3DTrivia></A><FONT color=3D#b22222>Trivia Question <=
/FONT></H2>
<P><EM>Who first coined the term "ESL" for English as a Second Language? </E=
M></P>
<P><STRONG>Email responses to <A href=3D"mailto:info@esl.net?subject=3DTrivi=
a%20Contest">info@esl.net</A></STRONG></P>
<P>One randomly drawn correct answer will win a <STRONG>FREE 4 million-word =
pocket translator</STRONG>!</P>
<P align=3Djustify>The previous newsletter's question was: "What is the form=
al name for the "language acquisition technique" which involves sitting in a=
comfortable chair while relaxing and listening to Classical music?" The ans=
wer is "Suggestopedia". Over 40 people guessed correctly. Congratulations to=
Jill Tomford, who is the winner of the 4 million work pocket dictionary. Tr=
ina Loehndorf had the funniest response of "Veggie Out Method" and receives =
a consolation price of an English talking dictionary on CD-ROM. </P>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D14>
<H2><FONT color=3D#b22222><A id=3DSpecials name=3DSpecials></A>Recommended E=
SL.net Products for 2004 </FONT></H2>
<TABLE border=3D0 cellPadding=3D5 cellSpacing=3D5 width=3D"100%">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/aztec.html"><IMG alt=3DAzt=
ec border=3D0 height=3D85 src=3D"http://www.esl.net/images/aztec-logo-s.jpg"=
width=3D105></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter>
<DIV align=3Djustify><STRONG><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/aztec.html"><STRO=
NG>Aztec Advantage Software (Windows) </STRONG></A></STRONG><BR>Aztec is a m=
odular multimedia learning system built for schools and workplace training c=
enters. Designed to enhance education and job skills, the Aztec products pro=
vide assessment, quality learning, and testing. Best of all, students and ad=
ministrators love it. <STRONG><BR>Now includes specific help for Spanish spe=
akers.</STRONG></DIV></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter>
<DIV align=3Dcenter><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/aura-tellp.html"><IMG alt=
=3D"Tell Me More Pro" border=3D0 src=3D"http://www.esl.net/images/tmmpro-s.g=
if"></A> </DIV></TD>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter>
<P align=3Djustify><B><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/aura-tellp.html">Tell Me=
More Education Language Lab (Windows)</A></B><BR>This is a true <STRONG>No =
Child Left Behind</STRONG> software solution for middle and high schools. Bu=
ilt network based computer labs, Tell Me More Education includes all the fea=
tures required to complete basic language training including reading, pronun=
ciation, grammar, and writing. Basic instruction from beginner to advanced i=
ncluding business with teacher tracking and more.<BR></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter>
<DIV align=3Dcenter><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/success_with_english.html"=
><IMG alt=3D"Success With English" border=3D0 height=3D99 src=3D"http://www.=
esl.net/images/successinenglish_sm.jpg" width=3D110></A></DIV></TD>
<TD vAlign=3Dcenter>
<DIV align=3Djustify><A href=3D"http://www.esl.net/success_with_english.html=
"><STRONG>Success With English Video (VHS)<BR></STRONG></A>The best deal goi=
ng in an ESL language course.<STRONG> Success With English</STRONG> is a com=
prehensive ESL from Spanish video program containing 18 videocassettes, 18 a=
udio cassettes, and 18 exercise manuals. Success With English is a phonics-b=
ased 4-skill approach that teaches the student to comprehend, read, write an=
d speak USA English. Used by individuals, schools, companies, instututions a=
nd government agencies in the USA and every Spanish-speaking country. Starts=
with the alphabet and proceeds step-by-step through the conditional tenses =
and the subjunctive. Heavy emphasis on sounds which are particularly difficu=
lt for Spanish-speakers. Designed for Spanish-speakers.</DIV></TD></TR></TBO=
DY></TABLE>
<HR class=3Ddividers SIZE=3D14>
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