What is UW-Madison Workplace Skills Tutoring Program?
The UW-Madison Workplace Skills Tutoring Program is a new initiative designed to help UW campus limited English speaking Employees improve their communication, reading and writing in English. The goal of this program is to enable employees to learn to ask questions about their work correctly, read signs and instructions and perform their jobs safely.
Who are the learners in this program?
All the learners are UW-Madison limited English speaking employees. We may see them on a daily basis but never know that what they need most is an opportunity to learn the basic English so they can communicate with their co-workers and supervisors on a daily basis.
Our learners came from various cultural, educational and social economic backgrounds. Some had Bachelor equivalent degrees in their countries while others may only had elementary or secondary education. Many learners have been in this country for long time but did not have the opportunity to attend ESL classes while others have only been here for few years.
Our learners are either graduated from ESL level 1 & 2 or are exempted. However, graduating or exempting does not mean they are proficient in English. Many of them still need the help to improve their conversational, grammar and written English. Much of what you will teach is everyday English that the learners can use at their workplace and in general. Your role will be crucial to the success of the learners in this program.
What type of trainings is available for tutors?
Tutors are not required to have any teaching experience or understanding of the learner language or culture. Our brief tutor training will prepare you to work with an employee, one-to-one. The short training will be conducted in group or individually depends on the number of volunteers we get at any particular time. We will provide ongoing support, including tutoring resources and consultation by phone, email and in-person. One of our most important roles is to provide tutors with the support they need to be successful with learners.
How is the matching works?
We will match you with a learner based on mutually convenient schedules. Once you tell us when you are available, we will find a learner who can work within those time frames. (If none of our program learners’ schedules prove workable for you, there are other adult learners in the wider community who also need your help.) When matching, we also take into consideration your stated preferences. Some tutors, for example, prefer to work with older, younger, or same gender learners and we will do our best to match you accordingly.
What is the required time commitment on this program?
Tutor/learner pairs work for one or two hours per week at convenient locations on or off campus. The ultimate decision about tutoring location is decided by the pair themselves.
We would like you to commit at least a semester with the program. However, we know that this is volunteer work and your schedule may change or the match does not work out and we are opened to shorter time commitment.
From our past experience doing this type of work, we can promise you that your tutoring support will certainly help to significantly improve the learner’s communication at work, personal and community lives. Helping someone evolve by tutoring with them is a powerfully satisfying experience because as their skills improve, their self- esteem and confidence usually follow. Those changes impact the learner’s entire life.
How can I get involved with this program?
If you are interested to volunteer with this program, please contact:
Jzong Thao
Training Officer
Office of Human Resource Development
21 N. Park St, Suite 5101
Madison, WI 53715
(608)263-2217
UW-Madison Workplace Skills Tutoring Program
Office of Human Resource Development
21 N. Park St, Suite 5101
Madison, WI 53706
(608)263-2217