Did You Know?

According to a study reported by Migration Policy Institute, “Untapped Talent: The Costs of Brain Waste Among Highly Skilled Immigrants in the United States”, there is an epidemic of skill underutilization within the US. Betweeen 2011 and 2015, 50% of US immigrants had a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. One in four of those college-educated immigrants was working in a low-skilled job or were unemployed. And for the other 50%, the language is a barrier to accessing on-the-job training, trade school, or college needed to reach their professional goals. This “brain waste” cost in Michigan alone is costing an estimated $510.2 million in lost annual wages and $48.6 million in unrealized sate and local taxes.

A Brighter Future!

By tapping into student’s innovative and creative ability in the classroom, students can master innovative thinking and language acquisition simultaneously. To maximize language acquisition, teachers need to create an environment where students thrive, succeed, and feel empowered to pursue their educational and professional goals. This requires redefining the English Language Classroom. There are currently 5 trends in innovative businesses that are creeping into schools. They will have students’ communicative competence reaching new heights.

Interest-Driven Education promotes personal investment in success. 

Wellness Education and stress management skills equip students with coping strategies to reach their personal goals. 

Skill-Based English Language Instruction places emphasis on communicative competence, a pinnacle skill sought after by employers. 

Entrepreneurial Educational Programs encourage students to directly apply their course work to the work environment to maximize understanding, applicability and retention.
Professional and Community Networks must be developed in a successful school experience to create a symbiotic relationship, one that benefits both the employer and employee. ESL students are one step ahead in a current workforce that values bilingualism, but connections and contacts need to be fostered.