WELCOME TO ENGLISH WORKS
The English Works Campaign is a unique coalition of immigrant community leaders, labor unions, business and civic leaders, educators, and advocates across Massachusetts working toward a Commonwealth that provides all residents with a pathway to economic self-sufficiency; ensures a stable, skilled workforce for businesses; and integrates immigrants into the fabric of our economy, communities and shared civic life.
English Works recognizes the key role and contributions of immigrants to the Commonwealth. The campaign targets English proficiency as a critical tool for achieving economic success for immigrants and an essential ingredient to the growth and flexibility of our rapidly changing economy.
The English Works Campaign calls upon business, labor, community and government leaders to dedicate the needed public and private resources to create a sustainable, high-quality ESOL system that addresses the needs and interests of immigrant workers and their employers.
The English Works Campaign promotes public and private investment, innovation and improvements in accordance with the following 5 principles to meet the needs of workers, businesses, and the Commonwealth:
- Public and private investment and collaboration around improving workforce English skills should make Massachusetts’ business climate more competitive.
- Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes should be broad, including multiple settings, schedules, and delivery methods to accommodate individuals in the workforce.
- English language learners should have pathways to family-sustaining wages, economic self-sufficiency, and further educational opportunities.
- ESOL providers should have support to develop organizational and professional capacity to offer ESOL to working adults and in the workplace.
- Accountability through data collection and analysis should ensure clear documentable outcomes to businesses, workers and the Commonwealth.
The English Works Campaign is led statewide by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (MIRA) and locally by the English for New Bostonians Initiative.
