0816_TOEFL-Test-and-Score-Manual-1997

People ● 211
GREAT
IDEA
Offer Classes in English as
a Second Language
Many successful entrepreneurs offer free, onsite
English as a second language (ESL) classes to
employees. When David Giuliani was president of the Optiva Corporation,
he faced a major challenge at his fast-growing toothbrush company: his
employees spoke 15 different languages.
That’s why he decided to offer English as a second language classes
at work. “Taking good care of employees is required for good business,”
Giuliani told me. (He’s now CEO and cofounder of Pacific Bioscience
Laboratories.)
Through the years, scores of employees took advantage of the free
classes. Their improved English skills led to improved productivity and
better communication throughout the company.
Marsha Serlin, CEO of United Scrap Metal in Chicago, also provided
onsite ESL classes to the mostly Spanish-speaking workers at her recycling
business.
“Many of my workers, who started here with nothing a few years ago,
are now able to buy their own homes,” she said.
If you think your multilingual workforce would benefit from ESL
classes, call your local community college or continuing education program
to find out how much it will cost. You can hire a private teacher to
teach classes at the office, too.
GREAT
Find Out How Disney Does It
No one is surprised when an entrepreneur heads to
IDEA
Harvard, New York University, or the University
of Southern California (USC) for a management training program, but
eyebrows raise when they sign up for a course at the Disney Institute in
Orlando, Florida.