Is English your second or third language? Do you want to improve your English communication skills? A centrally-funded program offers free "English in the Workplace" (EWP) courses to University of Washington employees.
Classes meet two times per week for nine weeks to help you develop workplace communication skills, including pronunciation and grammar. There is no charge for the classes; however, you are required to attend 90% of the classes.
Eligibility: These courses are funded for classified and professional staff only. Faculty and students are excluded.
To register for English in the Workplace, use the PDF registration form.
After you are accepted into the program, you may choose to take courses for three quarters in a row. Priority is given to those enrolling in second- and third-quarter courses.
In Spring 2008, EWP will offer several courses from among the following. When you register, please indicate which course you would be most interested in taking.
| Spring 2008 EWP COURSES | Section | Dates | Days | Times |
| Improving Literacy Skills | Sec. A | Mar. 31 - June 4 | Mon/Wed | 11:30 – 12:35 |
| Improving Literacy Skills (UWMC) | Sec. B | Apr. 3 - June 3 | Tue/Thu | 4:00 – 5:05 |
| Improving Literacy Skills | Sec. C | Apr. 3 - June 3 | Tue/Thu | 5:00 – 6:05 |
| Improving Oral Communication | Sec. A | Apr. 3 - June 3 | Tue/Thu | 4:30 – 5:35 |
| Pronunciation for Everyday English | Sec. A | Mar. 31 - June 4 | Mon/Wed | 11:00 – 12:05 |
| Writing for the Workplace | Sec. A | Mar. 31 - June 4 | Mon/Wed | 5:00 – 6:05 |
| Pronunciation and Presentation Skills | Sec. A | Mar. 31 - June 4 | Mon/Wed | 11:00 – 12:05 |
Important EWP Information for Supervisors: The EWP program is intended for employee development rather than supervisor-directed training for job performance modification. It is important to maintain the sense of these classes as a professional development opportunity and not a punitive or corrective action taken toward an individual. Experience with the pilot classes indicates that when students are fully invested in the project of self-development, participation and learning is consistent and enthusiastic; therefore the funded courses should include self-identified participants only.
If your employee decides to apply for registration, please review the class options and discuss which might be the best option with the employee before signing the registration form for release time. Participants are required to attend 90% of the classes. To provide access to a variety of UW units, the number of participants per unit may be limited.
EWP Background: Funding from the Provost Office's Fund for Innovation and Redesign enables the 2006-2008 two-year phase. The English in the Workplace program aims to serve the UW mission by enhancing job performance (through individual effectiveness that augments team productivity) and community diversity.
The EWP curriculum is based on a model developed among units including Financial Management, Facilities Services, and UW Technology. A survey of supervisors of the more than 75 UW employees who participated in the pilot classes revealed 100% support for the English in the Workplace classes, and enthusiastic recommendations for continued availability of this opportunity. During the initial three academic years of pilot classes, the program has served speakers of more than 20 world languages from all continents. It is hoped that this program will encourage recognition of the contribution made by these employees to the mission and service of the University of Washington.
For more information about EWP, please contact Professional & Organizational Development at 206-543-1957 or e-mail pod@u.washington.edu.
Copyright © 2007 University of Washington
