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.

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.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 18, 2007 -- 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.

Katie Pross shows Spanish speakers how to speak English on the job -- in seconds.

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 Inglés en el Trabajo'') and ''Speak Spanish on the Job.'' They cost $9.95 each. Thousands have already sold. The very first customer was the California State Department of Education, followed by Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble offer them online. And now national construction and hardware chains are beginning to carry them in their stores.

For more info: (760) 434-8858 | www.SpeakEnglishOnTheJob.com

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