Danielle Pelletier Leads Statewide Effort to Teach English in the Workplace
Mon, 29 October, 2012 at 7:37 am
"The primary initiatives of the CATESOL Teaching
English in the Workplace Interest Group is to make sure that there is
representation for those California ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers
who teach English in the workplace," Pelletier said. "This group is
comprised of teachers who teach workers at all levels. This could mean teaching
basic English to hotel employees or teaching presentation skills to an
executive at a bio-pharmaceutical company."
As the coordinator, Pelletier's primary responsibilities are
to recruit, maintain, and develop membership so the group has proper
representation. She also works with the members to organize professional
workshops in all parts of California. "The workshops are designed to help
our members continue with professional development between CATESOL
conferences."
Whereas most schools are cutting back on ESL teachers,
companies throughout California are realizing the value of having their
employees feel confident about speaking English and understanding the U.S.
culture of business, Pelletier said. "The TEW (Teaching English in the
Workforce) group is fortunate to be in a field that is continually growing and
I feel fortunate to be coordinating this group," she said.Pelletier has also been named President of English League, a Translations and Workforce Language Training company. The company started in 1995 in Boston and moved to the Bay Area in 2002. Pelletier has been with English League since 2000 as a Senior ESL Instructor and Program Director, teaching in companies such as Bose in Boston and Genentech in the Bay Area. "I'm happy to be at the helm- a new adventure for me - and will continue to provide our customized English classes to international professionals all over Silicon Valley and the Bay Area," she said. “It’s also exciting to be working with organizations in this global economy, providing translations services. It’s a great new world!”