English Classes Are Important	
English Classes Are Important (page 1 of 3)	
What is communication?
English classes improve your communication skills (read, write, 
talk, listen) which are important in every job.  Communication 
skills allow you to understand information other people give to 
you, and allow other people to understand information you give 
to them.  Also, accurate and clear communication skills helps you 
in every area of your life.  Every time you send a text, make a 
phone call, or give someone directions, you use communication 
skills.  
Why do I need to take English classes?
Taking English classes improve your communication skills.  In 
English classes, you study skills such as: vocabulary, spelling, grammar (how to use words, sentences, 
punctuation), composition (writing), and comprehension (understandin
g what you read).  Learning how to 
write sentences, paragraphs, and essays in school will help you in the w
ork world.  Then in a job, you will 
be able to write good letters, emails, advertisement flyers, manuals — and incident reports (required for 
workers such as: police officers, firefighters, social workers, safety inspectors, and others).  
But, English is not used in all jobs, right?
You may think English classes only relate to a few jobs, such as writing 
or editing (proofreading).  But 
EVERY job requires workers to understand instructions  and to explain information to customers, 
coworkers, and supervisors.  English skills are important in jobs that you may think may require little 
communication such as computer repairer, dishwasher, and stockroom clerk.  Employers who hire 
technicians complain that some of these skilled workers are  unable to explain information to others or 
write a report about their computer work project.  Therefore, colleges require computer technicians, auto 
mechanic, and other majors to pass English speech and writing tests to earn a Certificate or degree! 
Some jobs require excellent communication skills.   Politicians must make speeches to large groups.  Sales 
workers must be able to speak both on the phone and in person to sell the compa
ny’s products. Lawyers 
and managers need to explain problems clearly and give directions to others.   Health care workers must 
understand patients’ questions and make patients understand directions.   Counselors must listen to the 
client situation; then communicate helpful tips to solve problems.
How do I improve my communication skills?Take English classes to learn communication skills.  In addition, join after school groups such as clubs, sports, and volunteer duties — to force 
you to talk and listen to all types of people.  Join the school newspape
r staff 
or yearbook staff to improve your writing skills.  Join the debate team to 
practice thinking and speaking skills.  Join the Associated Student 
Government  (ASB) class to practice negotiation (reaching an agreemen
t) 
skills and public relations (advertising) skills.

English Classes Are Important (page 2 of 3)	
Basic Communication Skills:
Bank tellers
Bus drivers
Cashiers
Computer technician
Correctional officers
Counter and rental clerks
Court reporters
Customer service representative
Dispatchers, police and fire
Flight attendants
Food service workers
Funeral director and assistants
General office clerks
Graphic artists
Hair stylists and manicurists
Home health aides and personal assistants
Installers and repairers, all types
Landscaping/grounds supervisors
Massage therapists
Mechanics, all types
Medical assistants and transcriptionists
Nursing aides and psychiatric aides
Occupational therapy assistants/aides
Physical therapy assistants and aides
Postal clerks and mail carriers
Preschool teachers
Receptionists
Service and repair technicians
Shipping and receiving clerks
Taxidrivers and chauffeurs
Ticket agents
Wedding consultant
Basic communication skill tasks require: 1) communicate with others; 2) follow 
spoken and written instructions; 3) write sentences and paragraphs to fill out forms and 
prepare basic work reports for supervisors.
Intermediate communication skill tasks require: 1) read technical reports; 2) give 
and follow instructions; 3) persuade (talk people into) a point of vi
ew; 4) write essays 
to prepare letters, emails, and technical reports for supervisors. 
Advanced communication skill tasks require: 1) ability to speak in front of groups 
of people; 2) ability to research and write reports; 3) ability listen
 and negotiate (reach successful 
agreements or deals with others); and 4) ability to supervise or train
 others.
Intermediate Communication Skills:Adjusters, investigators, and collectors
Architects
Computer support specialists
Computer technicians and repairers
Customer service representatives
Dental assistants and hygienists
Designers (interior, floral, fashion)
Diagnostic medical technicians
Employment interviewers
Financial managers
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
Government code inspectors, all types
Health information technicians, records clerks
Hotel desk clerks and supervisors
Human resources and personnel clerks
Insurance agents and brokers
Librarian and library technicians
Medical assistants, secretaries, technicians
Medical therapists
Paralegals and legal secretaries
Pharamacy technicians
Physical therapists and aides
Police officers and special agents
Private detectives and investigators
Property managers and rental agents
Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers
Receptionist and information clerks
Recreation workers and directors
Registered nurses and nurse's aides
Respiratory therapists
Restaurant workers and hosts
Retail sales workers and managers	
Level of Communication Skills Needed for Careers	
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Quarterly

College & Career Publishing.  Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	English Classes Are Important (page 3 of 3)	
Intermediate Communication Skills (Continued):
Secretaries and administrative assistants
Securities (stocks)/ financial services salespersons
Social and human service assistants
Social media content specialist
Skincare specialist and makup artists
Sports officials and referees
Supervisors, all types
Teacher aides
Travel agents and travel guides
Web design/maintenance technician
Advanced Communication Skills:
Actors, directors, and producers
Administrative service managers
Adult education teachers
Agricultural scientists
Air traffic controllers
Biological and medical scientists
Chemists
Commercial pilots
Dentists
Engineers and engineering managers
Foresters and conservation scientists
Fund raiser (non-profit group or political)
Geologists and geophysicists
Government chief executives and legislators
Lawyers and judges
Management analysts and consultants
Manufacturers’ and wholesale sales representatives
Managers, all types
Meteorologists
Optometrists and optometry technicians
Pharmacists
Physicians and physician assistants
Physicists and astronomers
Podiatrists
Psychologists
Public relations specialists
Radio and television announcers 
Reporters and correspondents
Scientists 
School teachers
Social workers
Social media strategist
Speech-language therapists
Writers and editors 1. 
List 4 communication skills.
2.  What do communication skills:  a) allow you to 
do?  b) Allow other people to do?
3.  Define:  a) grammar.  b) composition.  
  c) comprehension.
4.  Learning what 3 things in school will help you 
in the work world?  
5.  List 4 jobs that require workers to write 
  "incident reports."
6.  What 2 things does every job require?
7.  a) About what do employers who hire 
  technicians complain?  b) What do colleges 
require mechanics to pass?
8.  List 5 jobs that require excellent 
  communication skills.
9.  a) What do you take to learn communication 
skills?  b) Join after school groups to force you 
to do what?  c) Join which 2 staffs to 
  improve your writing skills?  d) Join what team 
to improve your speaking skills?  e) What 2 
skill will you learn in ASB class?
10.  a) List 3 things basic communication skill tasks
  require.  b) List your choice of 3 jobs that
  require basic communication skills.
11.  a) List 4 things intermediate communication 
skill tasks require.  b) List your choice of 3 jobs 
that require intermediate communication skills.
12.  a) List 4 things advanced communication skill 
tasks require.  b) List your choice of 3 jobs that 
require advanced communication skills.
13.  If you were department store manager, list 3 
communication skills you would require in a 
job seeker for sales associate.
14.  If you were car dealership manager, list 3 
communication skills you would require in job 
seeker for auto parts counter sales.
15.  a) If you were clothing store manager, would 
you give a cashier who has communication 
skills a higher pay raise than cashier who does 
not have good communication skills?  
  b) Give a reason for your answer. 	QUICK CHECK: