Skills for Success: Working and Studying in English

Skills for Success integrates English language instruction with the teaching of the competencies essential for succeeding on the job or in an academic setting. This theme-based and student-centered text gets students reading, talking, and writing about such topics as building self-confidence, handling criticism, managing a successful job interview, and making small talk with colleagues.

All content and activities in Skills for Success are informed by the SCANS competencies, developed by the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. This U.S. goverment commission has attempted to define the "soft skills" necessary in the workplace such as working in teams, correcting performance, solving problems, and using technology, all with the goal of helping people to become job-ready in a shorter period of time and to thrive in their existing jobs. These workplace behaviors are also expected in academic settings.

Skills for Success can be used by a wide range of students preparing to work or study in an English-speaking environment in both credit and non-credit ESL courses, including students attenting two-and four-year colleges, intensive English programs, vocational ESL classes, and on-site workplace programs. Native speakers in adult basic education classes wil also find this book useful.

Student's Book features

• Workplace Know-How (SCANS competencies) is interwoven with English languages instruction throughout all content activities

• Chapters focus on both academic and workplace behaviors

• Team-based activities mirror interactions typical in many workplaces and academic settings

• Authentic readings from current newspapers highlight workplace issues

• Online! sections in each chapter help students explore topics in more depth on the Internet