ESL 074/75                   Bridging Cultural Gaps in the Workplace                                            Bellevue Community College     7300/7301   Winter 2005

 

Teacher’s name: 

Blythe León

Phone number:

206.841.8148

email address:

bleon@bcc.ctc.edu

Office:

R-130

Office hours: 

MW, 7:30-8:30 pm

I have time to help you; call me if you need anything. 

               

                   

 

                                 

 

 

Class Schedule

          Dates:                   Mondays and Wednesdays, January 3rd to March 23rd

          Time:          5:30 pm – 7:20 pm

          Room:                   B-242

 

 

Goal

Ü     Help bridge cultural gaps in the US workplace. 

§         Foster understanding of your own values, behaviors and cultural patterns

§         Develop awareness of mainstream workplace culture in the US

§         Enable you to participate more effectively and comfortably in the US workforce

          The goal of this class is not to change you, the students, but rather to help     you adapt to the differences you will encounter in your jobs in the US. 

 

Outcomes

At the end of this class, you will:

§         understand your own cultural values and expectations

§         be aware of what people in the US expect and value at work

§         feel more comfortable at work

§         be more productive on the job

§         communicate more with employers, customers and co-workers

§         have more opportunities for job advancement

§         experience fewer cross-cultural misunderstandings in the workplace (leading to longer employment and less disciplinary action)

 

 

Guidelines

We will enjoy our class more and learn more effectively if we all try to have a friendly and open environment.  Remember:

          Every student in our class represents a unique culture and background—we all     have our own stories and experiences to share.  Many times, we believe certain things are true or important because of where we come from.

Therefore, we will:

1.     Attempt to participate in group work and class discussions.  You have a lot to offer!

2.     Listen attentively to others.

3.     Honor each other with our comments, responses and questions, even when we disagree.

4.     Respect differences at all times.

Laughing together is fun and good for all of us.  Let’s make sure we laugh together and not at anyone. 

 

Supplies

We do not have a book for this class, but sometimes I will give you papers to keep or work on.  You need a notebook or folder to keep handouts and your journal in.  Bring your notebook, paper, pens and pencils to class. 

 

If you bring a cell phone to class, please turn it off or turn the volume down.  It is not polite to talk on the phone during class.  If there is an emergency, be quiet and go outside to talk. 

 

Progress

This class is about cultural understanding and awareness, as well as English language skills.  You must come to class and be actively involved in the course in order to make progress.  That means:

1.     Speak up!  Share and listen.

2.     Maintain your journal; answer assigned questions and bring it with you to class.

 

Attendance

Our class is like a soccer team, working together to win!  When a teammate is missing, our team is incomplete. 

 

Please attend every class, and be on time.  When there is an emergency and you cannot come to class, call me at 206.841.8148, or send me an email.  Please tell if you plan to leave the class. 

 

 

Students attending ESL classes at Bellevue Community College are expected to make significant and sustained academic progress for their program and level.  If academic progress, as defined in the program, is not met, students may not continue in the program.  Academic progress is determined by the teachers based on classroom work, tests (including CASAS pre and post test), demonstration of competence on performance tasks and attendance.  Students will be informed near the end of the current quarter that they need to improve their performance or they may not be offered enrollment in future classes.  Students are limited to three quarters at the same level in the program.  Any student who needs at additional quarter must write a request to the Program Chair.  The request must include the reason why additional time is needed.  The program chair will review the request and either accept or deny it.  Students with verified and documented educational disabilities must demonstrate the same progress as other students with reasonable accommodations, such as additional time.  Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office, room B233-G (telephone 425.564.2498) or TTY 425.564.4110), to establish their eligibility for accommodation.  The DSS office will provide each eligible student with an accommodation letter.  Students who require accommodation in class must review the DSS accommodation letter with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.  Students with mobility challenges who may need assistance in case of emergency situation or evacuation should register with Disability Support Services, and review those needs with the instructor as well.