Term

Spring 2022

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MA-TESOL

Facilitator(s)

Jennifer Carlson

Content Expert

Kamille Kolar

Abstract

Businesses that employ low-skilled workers are looking for ways to increase retention, workplace engagement, and communication. However, many of their employees lack English skills. Workplace ESL education programs have been shown to increase employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention, but few businesses understand how to implement a workplace ESL program. This capstone project uses a professional development workshop to help businesses and educators understand how to implement a successful workplace ESL education program. It examines labor-exchange theory, human capital theory, and the theory of sense of community to understand how businesses can influence employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention by implementing a workplace engagement program. The addition of these theories to adult theories creates a workplace ESL education program that is distinctly different from community adult basic education programs and helps answer the question, What are the key aspects needed to create a successful ESL education program in the workplace? The professional development workshop is divided into three parts: the benefits of the workplace ESL program, the importance of being learner-centered, and the key aspects of a successful workplace ESL education program.

Project Type

Professional Development

Keywords

Adult Education, ESL/ ELLs, workplace ESL program

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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