Ali Semeraro is an Accounting/Administrative Assistant for Hubbell Galvanizing who has been in charge of creating and implementing the English as a Second Language Pilot Program at Hubbell Galvanizing. Here she gives an account of how she helped start the program as well as how it is going.
Hubbell Galvanizing, Inc. has approximately thirty-one employees
originally from countries including Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia,
among others. Hubbell is committed to maintaining a safe working environment
for all of its employees. One way that we have done so is by reinforcing
industry specific words and phrases for employees where English is their second
language.
As a native English speaking individual myself, this became
a learning experience for me as well. Since I do not speak Burmese we had to
get creative with our tutoring methods. With the help of the Mohawk Valley
Resource Center for Refugees, we were able to get accurate translations of
words such as danger, crane, forklift, zinc, burn, and other words to help
employees communicate and maintain safety in the workplace. I made flashcards that
included pictures, the English word, and the respective translation to
communicate with and teach the employees. We meet once a week for about thirty
minutes when it is convenient with the production schedule. I found myself
learning how to say some of the words in Burmese, getting to know the
employees, and learning more about galvanizing in the process.
Several of the employees involved in the program have been
with the company for ten or more years and helped me break down some language
barriers. As a whole, the feedback from the employees was very positive and
they are enjoying their time in the class.
As a long term goal we will be prepared to help new hires
learn in this way in the future. I am very happy to have been involved in this process
and look forward to working more with the employees.
Pictured Left to Right:
Ruby Shwe (Burmese), Kyaw M. Oo (Burmese), Maung Thet Oo (Burmese), Ja Mar
(Burmese), Pichai Keawpinna (Thai),
Emmite White (Supervisor). Hubbell Galvanizing Plant Employees.
Burmese Flash Card Example:
