From Challenge to Connection: Bedford County’s Workplace Spanish Program

Instructor Lisa Updike with four graduates of the Bedford Library workplace literacy class

Article by Kathy Smith, Bedford County Public Schools Local GED^® Coordinator,
Adult and Career Education (ACE) of Central Virginia

When Bedford County Adult Education began offering workplace literacy classes, we typically partnered with local businesses to teach job-related English to employees with limited English proficiency. These classes helped employees improve their communication skills and better understand workplace expectations. The instruction strengthened employees’ skills in reading, enhancing their abilities to comprehend and communicate about safety manuals, task procedures, and other job essentials, thus promoting a safe and efficient workplace.

In past program years, Bedford County Adult Education has partnered with a furniture manufacturing company and a nursing home. Employees were eager to learn and deeply engaged in the classes. Both employers recognized the value of the training and compensated employees for the time spent participating. Results included a more confident workforce, improved workplace communication, and increased understanding of critical safety information.

More recently, however, our workplace efforts encountered difficulties: With increased uncertainty surrounding changing immigration policies, employers were hesitant to establish new classes because they were unsure whether they would retain their employees. We had to rethink our workplace literacy program. Rather than pause the program entirely, we connected with a community partner to turn the challenge into an opportunity.

After meeting with Bedford County Library Director Jenny Novalis, we developed a new approach: Why not teach employees the communication and workplace skills to better assist non-English-speaking individuals? Together, we established a goal of helping library staff communicate with patrons directly and confidently across the language barrier.

Ms. Novalis provided information on the common requests of Spanish-speaking patrons and some of the problems library staff faced in engaging with those patrons. Using this information, NEDP Instructor Lisa Updike developed a 15-hour course for library employees. To provide ongoing support, Ms. Updike also created a resource folder that remains at the library’s main desk.

During the first class, students completed TABE testing, enrollment paperwork, and program orientation. The library provided a comfortable classroom equipped with technology that allowed instruction to be delivered both in person and online. Each student received a packet of lessons along with Ms. Updike’s contact information. The course was designed so that most of the work could be completed online. Ms. Updike guided students through the first lesson in person, explained the online components, monitored their progress, and remained available through Google Meets, emails, and texts to provide assistance whenever needed.

Ms. Novalis compensated employees for the time spent completing the course and allowed them to work on assignments during regular library hours. Giving employees flexibility and choice proved to be a key factor in the program’s success. We have found that flexibility is often essential to creating successful workplace education programs.

As part of the course, students completed practical assignments that supported real-world interactions with patrons. Ms. Updike highlighted the creativity students brought to their work: “Creating a Spanish-language map of the library, video-recording common greetings and help phrases, and developing displays featuring Spanish-language titles and authors were just a few of the assignments.” Katie Morse, one of the library staff, shared that the “program helped me feel more confident when helping Spanish-speaking patrons.”

The final exam was conducted in person, and all eight participants successfully passed—each earning a Workplace Literacy credential that counts as a Measurable Skills Gain (MSG) 5. Based on the program’s success, we are planning to expand this model to other local businesses during the upcoming school year.

 

For More Information

Kathy Smith
BCPS GED^® Local Coordinator
[email protected]

Lisa Updike
BCPS NEDP Instructor
[email protected]