| The work place is the site of English language and basic skills education for increasing numbers of U.S. workers, particularly immigrants. Most such literacy education is funded by the employer, and there can be public and / or union support. Though immigrants are not the specific tar gets of these literacy programs, they constitute the majority of the participants. A case study of work place literacy pro grams allows consideration of the nature of this education and its con sequences for various stake holders. Employees appear to benefit from such pro grams, as do their organizations. Yet, there are limits to the learning that occurs: Managers may value workers' attitudinal changes more highly than skill improvements, opportunities to attend class are con strained by workplace demands, and work place education can be used as a means to control the labor force. Employer- sponsored literacy education thus has contradictory, yet significant, con sequences for immigrant workers and for immigrant education policy. |