Freestyle's Language at Work Program

?? Heading to the #AGCConv25 in April? Be sure to visit our friends at booth 919 to meet them and learn all they're doing in the virtual training space for construction professionals! ?? We've heard... there may even be a unique discount code at their table for our upcoming #Spanish classes offered through AGC Edge in May! Talk about #innovation in learning, the AGC Edge team takes the cake! (Speaking of cake ??, be sure to say Happy Birthday to the one and only BABS Barbara Parnarouskis, DES when you visit! ?? ) #AGC #AGCEdge #virtualtraining #onlinelanguagelearning #construction

?? We must do better. ?? These numbers should alarm more organizations - and not just GC's & companies, but our government and workforce providers. ?? According to OH&S: "Ultimately, encouraging workers to attend #English #language #classes is the key to breaching the barrier." ?? 'Encouraging' is nice. PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY is the key.?? ?? We also know the language barrier is GROWING: - Hispanics will account for 78% of U.S. job growth between 2020 and 2030. - 62% of #Hispanic immigrant workers do not speak #English. ?? There's an urgent call for improved #communication within the industry given the fatality & injury rates and the growing language gap. **Data. CPWR, OSHA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics #construction #workforcedevelopment #aec #onlinelearning #learnSpanish #learnEnglish #connectingpeoplethroughlanguage

?? We're thrilled to be in this grant-funded project with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Austin Safety Council and Austin AGC! ?? Curious to learn more about what it would mean to be in #partnership with us? ?? Learn more and schedule a Discovery Call here: https://lnkd.in/gJyNAY48 ?? Bring free language training for your teams, and break down the language barrier while improving productivity, safety and opportunities for your people. ?? Currently meeting with GC's whose teams would most benefit from learning #Spanish and/or #English with a #safety #construction focus, while also building everyday language. Learn more and schedule a discovery call here: https://lnkd.in/gJyNAY48 #workforcedevelopment #bilingualism #productivity #onlinelearning #peoplepractices

?? Join us! Associated General Contractors of America will be hosting our #Spanish Level 1 class beginning May. We can't wait. ?? In this upcoming class preview, you'll get a feel for how our learning works AND walk away with some new construction-focused Spanish! (A huge shoutout to Phil Thoden Shiloh Rowe and Austin AGC for taking the leap and entrusting us with your language learning journey last year...and how far you've come!) #learnSpanish #Safety #productivity #workforcedevelopment #aec #constructioneducation #onlinelearning #flippedclassroom #connectingpeople #AGCEdge

?? ?? ?? Language relevant to our lives & jobs represents the core of our model. ?? ?? ?? And bridging the #languagegap in #construction remains our priority, whether it's to improve safety (as language does that), or to communicate project details and designs, how people communicate in the field is everything to a project. ?? But none of that happens without the #excellence of our professionally trained instructors. (Did you know...They go through weeks of training in our #accredited teacher training program?) ?? As for truly speaking #Spanish...we have the the #flippedclassroom model to thank amongst a host of other edtech tools, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY.... ?? Katie's (and all learners') #MOTIVATION. You get out of learning what you put into it. We have the model, the platform, the instructors...but without the drive to show up with a #growthmindset, none of this would be possible. ?? ?? ?? In a 'learner-centered' model, it's truly all about the learners. Thank you, Katie! #aec #construction #workforcedevelopment #womeninconstruction #WIC #onlinelearning #connectingpeople #productivity #safety

?? A unique part of our model: the #pronunciation portfolio. Here it is in action with one of our stellar learners who understands that the #language barrier in #construction does not have to be a barrier to #productivity or to #safety, #camaraderie, #belonging...the list goes on. ?? Why? The Scientific American article about adult language learning ('How to Teach Old Ears New Tricks') - outlines both the how and why. Essentially, to break down the adult aural block, we can speed up and improve the quality of language learning by working with pronunciation. But it entails very specific parameters which our seriously talented instructors work with every week. ?? No, children don't have all the advantages. Adults have the cognitive advantage - and we use it to ensure learner outcomes! ?? ?? How great is that? Adelante Juan Huerta! ?? We're collectively cheering you on! Your gusto for learning sets the bar high. Mil gracias! #onlinelearning #flippedclassroom #connectingpeople #aec

?? ?? ?? What does #retention look like for your teams? Does it include a true human-centered approach? ??? According to?research from the Association for Talent Development (ATD), companies that invest in training see an average return of $4.53 for every dollar spent on #learning and #development. ?? (Yes, you did that math right: for every $1 invested in training, companies can expect a return of over $4.) ?? Investing in training can lead to improved employee #performance and higher #retention rates, further contributing to the positive #ROI. #productivity #peoplepractices #lifelonglearning #construction #workforcedevelopment #aec #learnSpanish #onlinelearning

?? According to OH&S: "Ultimately, encouraging workers to attend English language classes is the key to breaching the barrier." ?? OSHA's 2014 study: 25% of job site accidents relate to the #language barrier. ?? The fatality rate for #Hispanic construction workers: 41.6% higher than for non Hispanics. (It's underlined by a large number of studies that the language gap is the big, obvious factor.) ?? The most common *foreign language among #construction workers is #Spanish at 75.2% ?? Hispanics will account for 78% of U.S. job growth between 2020 and 2030. ?? 62% of #Hispanic immigrant workers do not speak #English. (CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training) ?? #Safety and #Workforce shortages remain 2 of the big issues. What about #Productivity #Retention #Belonging? ?? There's an urgent call for improved #communication within the industry given the current language gap. ?? The question becomes: Can you afford to NOT have a language strategy? ?? Happily, there's a solution. Adults make excellent language learners, and the right model sets them up for success starting from the 1st session. (We know just the place...) *We prefer the term LOTE: language other than English...over 'foreign'; the term foreign is used in the data. **Data from image: ACTFL, CPWR, OSHA and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics #workforcedevelopment #onlinelearning #learnSpanish #learnEnglish #connectingpeoplethroughlanguage

??? Welcome Back?DPR Construction! Way to break down one of the industry's biggest challenges -?? the language barrier???- as you build UP your people!??? ?? While not every learner is as fearless (or fun!) as 'Pato' in putting themselves out there to use their new language skills, those who do absolutely catapult themselves and their organization to #productivity.? ? ?? Take a listen for yourself: two #Spanish learners speak Spanish! ?? ?? You'll hear the power of language in #connecting people, building #camaraderie, and creating equitable teams & #opportunities, not to mention how much #fun it can be to learn. We??? DPR's unwavering commitment to connecting people, changing the industry and making the world a better place.? ? ?? ?? In?year 5?of our partnership, we're proud to connect #Spanish and #English learners across time zones and job sites.? ?Estamos tan agradecidos! (We're grateful!)?Siempre adelante (Ever Forward). #construction #safety #aec #workforcedevelopment #belonging #languagelearning #onlinelearning #thepoweroflanguage

“Are we missing out if we only speak 1 language?” The short answer is, YES!! And it has very little to do with making yourself more marketable and gaining a higher earning potential. I am now heading into week 5 of my company sponsored Spanish classes with Freestyle's Language at Work Program . After a year off, my brain is starting to make the mental connections again! Which means I’m starting to make the connections out in the field. So much of our highly skilled labor force here in Arizona are Spanish speaking. If you’ve ever walked through a jobsite where a group of Latino individuals are working you KNOW how much they are making the job fly by with their comaradarie; laughing, chatting, even singing!! Learning Spanish, which I never learned as a Mexican descendant born in the U.S., has begun to give me the ability to engage in the richness of these individuals who have a tremendous zest for life! They don’t care if I miss an accent or my grammar is like a 4 year olds. Nothing can beat having a trade partner seeing me coming and yelling out, “Juanito, como estas?”?? It feels like a connection back to my abuelita who tried to encourage me to learn when I was a Ni?o! ?? Learning a second language is all around good for your heart and soul! 20/10… highly recommend!