ITHACA, N.Y. — Are you ready to help your Spanish-speaking farm employees advance their careers and strengthen communication on your farm? The Agricultural English Mentorship (AEM) program, created by Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD), is designed to address the language challenges faced by many farm workers and to provide them with the skills they need to succeed.
With 62% of farm employees in the U.S. being native Spanish speakers, language barriers can impede productivity and career advancement. The AEM program offers a solution by providing farm employees with the opportunity to improve their English language skills in a way that is practical, engaging, and directly relevant to their daily work on the farm.
What is the Agricultural English Mentorship (AEM) Program?
The AEM program combines professional English instruction, personalized mentorship, and hands-on learning to enhance the language skills of Spanish-speaking farm employees. The program is designed to be both educational and practical, incorporating real-world farm scenarios that directly relate to the work your employees are doing every day.
A mentor must register with the English learner and commit to 15 minutes of mentorship each week. Mentors do not need to know Spanish to participate. The dual goals are to teach specific farm terminologies and to strengthen relationships between the English-speaking mentors and their Spanish-speaking employees while learning English.
Course Format:
- Agricultural Focus: AEM is tailored specifically for Spanish-speaking farm employees, using visual and auditory learning tools that are closely linked to farm work and terminology.
- English Instruction: Participants can learn at their own pace with pre-recorded videos, followed by live Zoom sessions where instructors provide individualized guidance on topics like pronunciation, grammar, and conversational skills.
- Mentorship: Each farm is encouraged to assign an English-speaking mentor to meet with employees weekly. These 15-minute sessions will focus on farm-specific vocabulary and exercises, fostering stronger relationships and better communication between Spanish-speaking employees and English-speaking leadership.
Course Topics Include:
- Lesson 1: The Alphabet and Vowel Sounds
- Lesson 2: Introductions and Greetings
- Lesson 3: Farm Mission Statements
- Lesson 4: The History of the Farm (Learning Numbers)
- Lesson 5: The Employee Handbook
- Lesson 6: The Values and Culture of the Farm
By participating in AEM, farm employees will gain confidence in their English skills, helping to improve workplace communication, enhance productivity, and open doors to career advancement.
Course Dates and Materials:
The course will be offered virtually through the Moodle app, which is easily accessible from phones and computers. Course materials will be available starting January 17, 2025, with live discussion sessions running every Friday from January 24 to February 28, 2025. Participants can choose between morning or afternoon sessions for the live sessions.
We highly encourage attendance at these live Zoom sessions to maximize learning and take full advantage of the personalized instruction available. To get the most out of the course, we recommend that participants set aside at least two hours per week for course activities. The involvement of an English-speaking mentor is a critical component of success in this program and will greatly enhance the overall learning experience.
Get Started:
Investing in your farm’s workforce by offering the AEM program not only enhances communication but also builds a more engaged and skilled team.
For more information or to sign up for the Agricultural English Mentorship program, visit https://cvent.me/BqPWrm or contact Mary Lewis at [email protected]
About Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD):
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development (CAWD) provides resources and programs designed to strengthen the agricultural workforce. Through research, education, and innovative programs, CAWD helps improve farm employee skills, productivity, and career growth opportunities.
–Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
