Invest in Your Employees. Strengthen Your Business.

Clear communication is the foundation of a safe, productive, and engaged workplace. Our Workforce English program helps employees build the language skills they need to communicate confidently with supervisors, coworkers, and customers while supporting your organization’s success.

What We Offer
· Onsite English Language Learning (ELL) classes taught by a certified instructor
· Pre and post assessment of students to help measure success and progress
· Class customization to your specific business needs and goals

What does Literacy Green Bay do?

Literacy Green Bay is a nonprofit organization that has empowered adults through adult education and English language learning since 1981. Through the Workforce English Program, we provide on-site English language instruction that helps employees develop the communication skills needed for success in the workplace while supporting employers in developing a more confident, skilled, and engaged workforce.

What is the lead time needed to begin?

We require approximately two months to prepare before classes begin. During this time, we work with the employer to complete an initial consultation, conduct a needs assessment, administer placement testing, recruit an instructor, and form the class.

What curriculum do you use?

Literacy Green Bay uses an established adult ESL curriculum through Pearson, supplemented with workplace-specific vocabulary, conversations, and instructional materials. Our Pearson Future curriculum is WIOA-certified and supports the development of workplace specific English skills. Instruction can be customized to include industry-specific terminology, workplace safety language, company forms, and other employer-identified communication needs.

What does the employer need to provide?

Participating employers are responsible for recruiting employees, encouraging regular attendance, communicating program information to participants, participating in planning activities, and maintaining communication with Literacy Green Bay regarding scheduling and program needs. Employers must also provide an appropriate classroom space with enough seating for participants, minimal interruptions, and a quiet environment that supports learning. Access to a whiteboard, TV, projector, or monitor is strongly encouraged.

How much does the program cost?

Program costs vary based on the needs of the employer, including factors such as class size, schedule, and program length. Please contact Literacy Green Bay to discuss your organization’s goals and receive a customized program proposal.

How many people can attend a class?

Workforce English classes can serve employees with a variety of native languages and English proficiency levels. However, the most effective classes are those in which participants have similar English proficiency levels. Class size and composition are determined in collaboration with the employer to best support participant learning and workplace communication goals. We recommend between 5 and 20 participants per class.

How often should classes be held?

At a minimum, classes should be held once per week for an hour and a half. Literacy Green Bay will work with employers to develop a schedule that supports employee participation and workplace operations while taking the participants’ level of English proficiency into consideration.

How long does it take to learn English?

Learning a language is a lifelong journey. The time it takes to learn English fluently depends on a person’s current proficiency level, educational background, opportunities to practice outside of class, and attendance. However, learning the specific English skills needed for a particular workplace – such as job-specific vocabulary, workplace safety language, and common workplace conversations – can often be accomplished in a much shorter time.

How will I be updated on class progress?

Literacy Green Bay maintains ongoing communication with employer representatives throughout the program. Employers receive attendance information, mid-program progress reports, end-of-program summary reports, assessment results, and program recommendations to support continued employee learning and workplace communication.