19 Year Old Shows Spanish Workers How to Speak English on The Job - in Seconds

UCSD student-turned-entrepreneur develops effective phonetic-based system to
pay her way through college.

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- During this summer's heated debate over
immigration, guest worker programs, and language differences, university
student Katie Pross was working on her idea: applying what she learned as a
high-school honors-student, including honors-Spanish, she knew she could
develop a phonetic system that would teach Spanish-speaking workers how to
speak English on the job in seconds.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071205/AQW035)
If her idea worked, these entry-level workers would integrate better into
the US workforce, thus improving overall productivity and, she would earn
enough money to pay for her education at UCSD.
The goal was to keep it simple. The minimum needed to communicate a
thought is just a few key words or phrases. But it was vital to know which
words worked best. Then, with the proper phonetic equivalent, the
Spanish-speaker could be speaking English without previous knowledge of the
language.
Teaming-up with her mom, they selected, researched, then listed thousands
of words and terms specific to construction, home maintenance, landscaping,
gardening, housekeeping, food service, and basic business. Once the list was
done, they painstakingly developed the phonetic equivalents for each entry.
For example:
Tengo una licencia de manejo.
I have a driver's license.
"ai jav a DRAI-vers LAI-sens"

Puedo trabajar los fines de semana.
I can work weekends.
"ai kan uork UIK-ends"

Esto es peligroso.
This is dangerous.
"dis is DEIN-cher-as"

After the finished manuscript was reviewed by Spanish language experts,
they tested it in the real world. They gave copies to local workers who spoke
very little English. The results were far better than expected: after only a
try or two, these workers were actually speaking English.
Encouraged by their efforts, the two created a second book that quickly
shows English-speaking employers how to speak Spanish on the job.
Katie's mom Sharon: "In today's work environment, it's imperative that you
can speak at least a little of the language. Our book has the key words and
phrases that can make a project go smoother because there are fewer
misunderstandings."
Using the techniques born from the first book, the two listed the most
useful work phrases for the common trades, translated them to the Spanish, and
then gave the phonetic equivalent. For example:
Do you have papers to work?
Tiene papeles para trabajar?
"tee-EH-neh pah-PEH-les PAH-rah trah-bah-HAR"

Do you have references?
Tiene referencias?
"tee-EH-neh reh-feh-ren-see-AHS"

Can I pay you with a check?
Puedo pagarle con un cheque?
"PWEH-doh pah-GAR-leh kohn oon cheh-KEH"

The new 208-page books are titled "Speak English on the Job" ("Hable
Ingles en el Trabajo") and "Speak Spanish on the Job." They're $9.95 each.
Thousands have already sold. The first customer was the California State
Department of Education, followed by Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble offer them online. And now national
construction and hardware chains are already beginning to carry them.
For more info: (760) 434-8858 | http://www.SpeakEnglishOnTheJob.com
SOURCE Speak English on The Job

Speak English on The Job, +1-760-434-8858