1. Filling English Gaps: Career Workshops for
International University Students
Jim Valentine, Ph.D.
Director
Eric H. Roth, M.A.
Master Lecturer
Richard Jones, M.A., M.Ed.
Lecturer
American Language Institute
University of Southern California

2. Workshops are a result of Collaboration between two university units
(both serving matriculated
International Students)
American Language Institute  ALI
Office of International Services  OIS

3. The American Language Institute (ALI)
is responsible for:
English Language Placement Testing
English for Academic “Core” Courses
ITA Testing &Training

4. The Office of International Services (OIS)
oversees and manages
International student Visas/Status and Compliance with Homeland Security regulations
Employment rules and opportunities for international students (CPT, OPT)
Programming/Events for international students
Information on life at USC and in Los Angeles

5. Origins & Development of OIS-ALI Workshops
Intermittent history of “one-shot” Pronunciation Workshops with OIS by ALI faculty
“Marketing” of ALI courses in OIS’ newsletter had increased awareness of ALI offerings and faculty expertise
OIS’ indicated a need for additional programming for general international student population

6. Origins and Development of English for Job Search and
Career Development Content
In existing courses, we had observed the motivating nature and relevance of career related tasks (mock interviews, cover letters, etiquette)
Two mothers meet at USC Day Care
The USC Career Center expressed a clear need for supplemental language support (writing and oral skills) for international students
This expressed need resulted in the creation of ALI 280 course (English Skills and Strategies for the Job Search)

7. Course vs. Workshop Differing number of students
Continuity over time vs. “one shot” interaction with students
Compensation and staffing structure – supremacy of course as basic organizing unit
At TESOL 2017, learned of Language Workshops/Seminars at Carnegie Mellon’s Intercultural Communication Center (ICC)

8. Workshop Offerings – Spring 2017
PRONUNCIATION
BIOSTATEMENTS
“ELEVATOR PITCH”
ETIQUETTE

9. Ads for Workshops PRONUNCIATION
Why Don't they Understand Me? Pronunciation in a U.S. Business Setting
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Taper Hall (THH) 201 
While English is the lingua-franca in U.S. business settings, the variety of English accents can cause communication breakdowns. This workshop, presented by American Language Institute Master Lecturer Barry Griner, focuses on areas of pronunciation that you can adjust so that your accent is more easily understood by colleagues and employers.
RSVP is required. 

10. BIOSTATEMENTS
Biostatements Matter: Crafting a Professional Document That Tells Your Story of Achievement
Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Taper Hall (THH) 201 
Writing a strong, clear bio statement is more difficult than it first appears, and there are many choices. In this workshop with American Language Institute lecturers Eric Roth and Richard Jones, you will learn how to anchor information about yourself with a few facts in three different verb tenses. Participants will leave with a short, functional bio statement to add to their professional portfolio. RSVP is required. 

11. “ELEVATOR” PITCHES
Crafting an Elevator Pitch That Will Leave a Lasting Impression
Monday, April 17, 2017, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Taper Hall (THH) 201 
It can be tough to feel comfortable promoting yourself to others, but in the U.S. job market, it is a necessity. In this workshop with American Language Institute Senior Lecturer Kimberley Briesch Sumner, you will learn how to craft your own pitch, practice it with others, and prepare yourself to tell potential employers what makes YOU the right candidate for the job.
RSVP is required. 

12. EMAIL ETIQUETTE Don't be Misunderstood! Mastering Email Etiquette
Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Taper Hall (THH) 201 
In this practical seminar, ALI Senior Lecturer Eric H. Roth and ALI Lecturer Richard Jones address issues in communication that often cause problems for second language English writers in both business and academic settings. Materials will be provided for attendees to reference at home. RSVP is required. 

13. A SAMPLING OF
TWO WORKSHOPS
BIOSTATEMENTS – Eric Roth
ETIQUETTE – Richard Jones

14. PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK
&
FUTURE DIRECTIONS

15. SURVEY FEEDBACK – BIOSTATEMENTS
Source: OIS Biostatement Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

16. SURVEY FEEDBACK – EMAIL ETIQUETTE
Source: OIS Etiquette Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

17. Biostatement Workshop
Survey Results
Biostatement Workshop
Country of Citizenship
Country % Count
China %
Ecuador 3% 1
France 3% 1
India 8% 3
Japan 3% 1
Korea 8% 3
Malaysia 3% 1
Mexico 3% 1
Myanmar 3% 1
Philippines 3% 1
Spain 3% 1
Thailand 6% 2
United States % 9
Venezuela 3% 1
Total % (of 36)
Source: OIS Biostatement Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

18. Email Etiquette Workshop
Survey Results
Etiquette Workshop
Country of Citizenship
Country % Count
Brazil 1% 1
Canada 1% 1
China %
Colombia 1% 1
India %
Italy 1% 1
Japan 4% 3
Kazakhstan 1% 1
Korea, Republic of 6% 5
Mexico 2% 2
Russian Federation 1% 1
Slovenia 1% 1
Spain 1% 1
Taiwan, Rep. of China 8%
Thailand 2% 2
Turkey 2% 2
United States %
Total 100% (of 125 attending)
Source: OIS Etiquette Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

19. MARKETING OF WORKSHOPS
Source: OIS Etiquette Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

20. POST-GRADUATION/ EMPLOYMENT PLANS
*Source: OIS Etiquette Workshop Report (Spring 2017)

21. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Additional Workshops
Etiquette – 2 sessions (basic & advanced)
Academic Integrity
Vocabulary Building – Use of Corpora
Pronouncing Chinese Names
2 Workshop Series? (Career/ Language)
Creation of 1 unit English for Job Search course? - series of workshops (1- ½ hours, 1 day a week)

22. REFERENCES
Barker, A. (2015, October 19). Are Chinese Students Driving Educational Imperialism?
Retrieved from
Carnegie Mellon’s Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) Language Training.
Retrieved on 10/17/17 from
Epley, N. (2015). Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel,
and Want Paperback Reprint Edition: Vintage.
Garfield, S. (2013, October 28). 10 old letter-writing tips that work for s. 
Retrieved from
​Scarcella , R. (2003). Academic English: A Conceptual Framework. UC Berkeley:
University of California Linguistic Minority Research Institute. Retrieved from
Swales, J. (1990). Genre analysis: English in academic and research settings. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Swales, J., & Feak, C. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students : Essential Tasks
and Skills 3rd ed.: University of Michigan Press.