We are entering a phase of global English which will shape future identities, economies and cultures. The way this stage is managed could determine the future of several generations.
(David Graddol: English Next)

Do we need special English for the workplace and if we do, how do we develop appropriate curricula, adapt or create relevant materials and use up-to-date methods to deliver training?

English for Work addresses these questions and examines long-term English needs in the workplace.  It is part of a wider large scale global project being funded by British Council on Skills for Employability.
The programme aims to make it easier for employers to address the English language needs of their employees, and work closely with the education sector.

The British Council is organising a five-day workshop on English for Work from 20 to 24 April 2009 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology - Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with the A S Hornby Educational Trust, the South African Association of Teachers of English as an International Language (SATEIL), the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

The Course Director will be Mark Krzanowski (University of London) and Co-Tutors will be Prof. Christine Winberg (CPUT) and Bernard Nchindila (UNISA).

This workshop is a follow-up of the two-day symposium organised by British Council South Africa in partnership with the Wits Language School, SATEIL and IATEFL that took place at the WITS Club Conference Centre last year July.
For more information please e-mail Paul Woods or Pumlani Xaba.

About the 2008 Symposium:

The July 2008 symposium brought together the vocational education and training sector, the employment sector and applied linguists in order to discuss the English language needs of the international work environment. This culminated in a draft plan of action to support the teaching and learning of English for work.

			Bring together private and government sector senior policy makers and decision takers from across the region to discuss key issues with a range of national and international experts.
			Facilitate agreements between the employers and educators regarding the English language needs of employees, and a draft set of policies and action plans to reflect these.
			Strengthening of relationships between employers and educators in the region.
			Create regional partnerships and networks to take forward ‘English for Work’ recommendations.
			Produce a symposium publication which will include summaries of papers presented by ‘English for Work’ specialists.
			Follow-on seminars which will focus on the outcomes of collaboration and research carried out as a result of this symposium.

			What key themes should such a project include?
			What areas need further research?
			What training needs might there be?
			Is more work needed on qualifications/ frameworks?
			What can we take forward ourselves in our country/region?
			How best can we encourage networking?

Symposium contributors came from a range of professions as well as government departments. Presenters used mini-cases studies to refer to and made suggestions on how course providers, publishers, educators and policy makers can collaborate together to bring out the best possible synergies in the process of successful design, promotion and implementation of E4WP (English for Work Programmes).

			Mark Krzanowski, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London
			Christine Winberg, Head of Department, Academic Staff Development, Teaching and Learning Centre, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

			what key themes should English for Work include?
			what areas need further research?
			what training needs might there be?
			is more work needed on qualifications/frameworks?
			what should we be taking forward in our country/region?
			how best can we encourage networking?
			do we need follow-up workshops/seminars?
			other issues?

Find presentations delivered at the July 2008 symposium below: