In cooperation with the provincial government of Saskatchewan, the AWE (At Work English) pilot program began at the Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon in July 2009. The aim of the program is to teach English in a conversational rather than a formal manner with the aim of removing many of the obstacles associates face in their work and social lives caused by a lack understanding.
Director of Human Resources at the Travelodge Jim Bence heralded the program as a great way for the hotel’s foreign associates to get ahead. “By providing our foreign associates with the English language skills contained within this program we are able to empower them with an increased understanding of English as it is spoken in the work place and in social settings.”
AWE class sizes range from 10-12 participants with content distributed in individual modules. This framework allows the program to operate on an ongoing basis while affording participants the flexibility to learn and work at an individualized pace. As the program has no finite start and end time there is the opportunity for new participants to enter the program at anytime. “Having a program that allows our associates to jump in at anytime with any skill level is a real benefit” said Bence. “It means that there is no wait time to get them up and running and that no associate is left behind.”
Press Contacts:
Adele Kulyk
(306) 978-6530
adele@travelodgesaskatoon.com
