Workshop 13 — Communicating at Work · Facilitator Lesson Plan

For: CSC office staff, case managers, bilingual volunteers You don't need to be an expert. You need to be a calm bilingual presence who can read the room, follow this script, and route hard questions to the right resource.

1 · At-a-Glance

2 · Learning Objectives

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Recite three formal phrases for greeting, interrupting, or asking a supervisor for help.
2. Call in sick by phone using a 4-step script — and know that calling (not texting) is the US norm.
3. Request a planned day off with 2+ weeks of verbal-then-email notice.
4. Name the escalation order for workplace problems: supervisor → HR → CSC / state agency.

3 · Pre-Workshop Checklist (15 minutes before start)

Tech

• Open slides — test language toggle (top-right). Default 中文.
• Click through slides 5 and 10 once — confirm Reveal Answer buttons work. These gate the Next button.
• Test projector + verify QR (slide 13) scans from the back row.
• Bookmark workshop URL on your phone as backup.

Materials

• Print ~20 copies of resources handout (phrases, scripts, email template, sick/day-off, escalation, local resources).
• Print Quick Reference Card (section 12) for podium.
• Sign-in sheet at the door. Pens at every seat.

Room

• U-shape for ≤ 12; rows of pairs for ≥ 13 (slide 5 + 10 want neighbors talking).

Yourself

• Skim this plan once (15 min).
• Say slide 1 bilingual opening aloud once.
• Read section 8 Q&A — be ready for paid sick leave, calling vs. texting, what counts as harassment.

4 · Audience Snapshot

Mostly LEP Chinese adults from Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Rosemead — restaurant workers, home health aides, hotel housekeepers, warehouse staff, drivers. Many have only worked for Mandarin- or Cantonese-speaking bosses; today's workshop is for landing or surviving an English-speaking job. They are worried about three things: sounding rude by accident, getting fired for calling in sick, and not understanding when the supervisor talks fast. They want phrases they can repeat tomorrow, not theory.

5 · Cultural & Bilingual Tips for This Workshop

• Calling in sick is professional, not weak. Many participants were raised on "干活不抱怨,生病也来上班." In US food service or healthcare, dragging the flu in is a fireable offense. SAY: "在美国请病假是负责任的表现,不是软弱。" Frame as a professional norm, not a favor.
• Hierarchical vs. flat workplace. Chinese workplaces — wait for the boss to speak first. US workplaces — silence reads as "not engaged." Slide 3 has the cultural callout; reinforce it.
• Face-saving for "I don't understand." Reframe: "在美国,问问题是聪明的表现 — 出错重做才浪费时间。"
• Ask before assume. The meta-rule. SAY it on slides 4, 7, and 11: "不确定就问,不要猜。"
• Bilingual cadence. Say key English phrases slowly, twice, with Chinese gloss between. Don't translate every bullet — translate ONE key phrase per slide.
• NO legal advice. Wage theft / harassment / retaliation get a script: "这个问题我不能给法律建议,但 CSC 可以帮您联系劳工咨询或加州劳工局。"

6 · Slide-by-Slide Script

SAY verbatim. POINT TO keeps your finger on the visual. ASK is a real question. WATCH FOR lists common confusion. IF SHORT is your trim card.

Slide 1 · Title · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "欢迎大家。今天用30分钟,讲三件事:怎么跟上司说话、怎么写一封工作邮件、生病请假怎么开口。" — "Welcome. 30 minutes, three things: talk to supervisor, write a work email, call in sick / ask for time off."

POINT TO: Title + "30 minutes" hint.

ASK: "举手 — 您现在的上司说英语还是中文?" — "Hands — supervisor speaks English or Chinese?" (Reads room.)

IF SHORT: Skip ASK.

Slide 2 · Agenda · ⏱ 1 min

SAY: "三大主题:口语、邮件、问问题。每一块都给您几句可以马上用的话。" — "Three topics: speaking, email, asking. Phrases you can use tomorrow."

POINT TO: The three numbered cards.

ASK: "您今天最想学哪一块?" — "Which topic interests you most?" (Tells you where to spend extra time.)

IF SHORT: Just read the cards.

Slide 3 · How to Talk to Your Supervisor · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "在美国工作,跟上司讲话要用正式语 — 跟朋友聊天不一样。" — "At work, use formal English with your supervisor — different from talking with friends."

POINT TO: Green ✓ column first, then red ✗. Read "Good morning, Mr. Chen." Room repeats.

ASK: "您在哪里听过 'Yo, what's up?'" — "Where have you heard 'Yo, what's up?'" (Movies / kids. Anchors "exists, but not at work.")

THEN POINT TO: Orange Cultural Tip box. Read verbatim: "在中国,下属常等上司先开口。在美国,上司希望您主动开口。" Pause.

WATCH FOR: Hard nodding on the culture box — it's hitting real pain. Stay an extra 15 sec.

IF SHORT: Skip the casual column; just teach the four formal phrases.

Slide 4 · Asking for Help · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "听不懂不要假装懂 — 直接问反而省时间。" — "Don't pretend to understand — asking saves time."

POINT TO: First card: "I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain again, please?" Read twice, slowly. Then: "我不太明白,您能再说一遍吗?"

ASK: "如果上司说话太快,您会怎么说?" — "Supervisor talks too fast — what would you say?" (If silence: "I'd say 'Could you speak a little slower, please?'")

THEN: Room repeats once: "Could you say that again, please?" Then: "Just to make sure — you want me to ___, right?"

WATCH FOR: Embarrassment when repeating English aloud. Smile and repeat with them. "练习不丢人 — 没人评分。"

IF SHORT: Teach only first + last script cards — they cover 80%.

STRETCH (advanced): "把同一句话用正式和随意两种说法各讲一次 — 您觉得上司的反应会差在哪?" — "Say the same phrase in both formal and casual register — how does the boss's reaction change?" (Leverages the Slide 3 formal/casual dichotomy.)

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Chorus the 4 phrase steps in English together, one word at a time — "Could · you · say · that · again · please?" No full sentences required. Pair an unsure participant with a stronger speaker for the second repeat.

Slide 5 · Activity — Which Response Is More Professional? · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "情景:下午快下班,上司说 'Can you stay an extra hour today?' — 哪个回答最专业?" — "Scenario: near end of shift, your boss asks 'Can you stay an extra hour today?' Which is most professional?"

POINT TO: Cards A, B, C — read each English then Chinese.

ASK: "举手投票 — A、B、还是 C?" — "Vote — A, B, or C?" (Pause for each. Count visibly.)

THEN: Click 揭晓答案 · Reveal Answer. Button gates Next.

SAY (when C reveals): "C 最好:① 礼貌 ② 给出原因 ③ 提出替代方案。A 太直接、B 假装答应但没做到 — 上司会失去信任。" — "C wins: ① polite ② reason ③ alternative. A blunt; B says yes but doesn't follow through — boss loses trust."

WATCH FOR: People who voted B defending it as "polite." Reframe: "在美国,'说到做到' 比 '答应就好' 更重要。" (Doing what you said matters more than just agreeing.)

IF SHORT: Skip vote, reveal C, name the three reasons.

Slide 6 · 10 Basic Work Phrases · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "这十句话每天用得到。今天先学三句 — 其他七句回家慢慢练。" — "Ten phrases for every day. Lock in three today, practice the rest at home."

POINT TO: Drill three: "Good morning." · "Excuse me, do you have a minute?" · "Thank you for letting me know."

ASK: Room repeats each one twice. Slowly. Smile.

WATCH FOR: Someone writing all ten down. Reassure: "都在资料上,放心。"

IF SHORT: Drill just the first three.

STRETCH (advanced): Take one vague phrase from the room — "Hey, the thing" — and rewrite it twice: once for clarity ("Could you check the schedule for Friday?"), once for softness ("When you have a minute, could you check Friday's schedule?"). Same ask, different feel. Notice which a busy supervisor prefers.

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Just say the English phrase after me, one word at a time. No need to repeat the whole sentence — point to the card and say the first two words: "Good · morning." Smile. Done.

Slide 7 · Writing a Simple Work Email · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "工作邮件不用写得很长 — 四个部分:主题、称呼、一句话请求、署名。" — "Work email doesn't need to be long — four parts: subject, greeting, one-sentence ask, sign-off."

POINT TO: Annotated email. Walk Subject → Hi Maria → one-sentence ask → Best regards.

ASK: "主题写 'Question' 还是 'Question about Friday's schedule' 哪个好?" — "'Question' or 'Question about Friday's schedule' — which subject?" (The specific one. Busy supervisors scan subject lines.)

THEN POINT TO: 📚 小词典 vocab box. Read: "CC 抄送 · BCC 密送 · EOD 当天下班前 · FYI 给您参考。" Pause on EOD.

WATCH FOR: "我从来没写过英文邮件." Reassure: "资料里有完整模板 — 复制下来填空就行。"

IF SHORT: Skip vocab box.

Slide 8 · Calling in Sick · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "生病请假在美国是负责任的表现,不是软弱。规矩:打电话,不发短信;越早越好,开工前 2 小时。" — "Calling in sick is professional, not weak. Phone call, not text; at least 2 hours before shift."

POINT TO: 4-circle step diagram. Then the yellow example quote.

SAY (verbatim): "Hi Maria, this is Lin. I'm sorry, I'm sick today and can't come in. I should be back tomorrow. Thank you."

ASK: "为什么打电话,不发短信?" — "Why call instead of text?" (Texts get missed; a call lands and is documented in the supervisor's mind.)

SAY (face-saving frame, important): "很多人觉得请病假很不好意思 — 怕老板不高兴、怕被炒。加州法律给每个员工每年至少 5 天带薪病假,小公司也算,雇主不能因此解雇您。这是您的权利。" — "Many feel ashamed to call in sick — afraid of being fired. CA law: at least 5 paid sick days/year, all employers. Cannot fire you for using them. This is your right."

WATCH FOR: "我老板说没有病假." Don't argue. Route: "下课后我们聊聊 — CSC 有双语劳工咨询。"

IF SHORT: Read example from printed handout instead of on-screen.

STRETCH (advanced): "如果是连续第二天请病假,该怎么开口?上司听了会怎么想?" — "If it's the SECOND day in a row calling in sick, how do you open? What goes through the supervisor's mind?" (Add: "Hi Maria, this is Lin again. I'm still not well — I won't be in today. I'll update you tomorrow morning. Thank you for your patience.")

SCAFFOLD (beginner): Pair an unsure speaker with a stronger neighbor for the role-play. The stronger speaker reads the example first; the beginner repeats the line they pick (just the greeting + "I'm sick today" is enough). No pressure to do all 4 steps solo.

Slide 9 · Asking for a Day Off · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "请一天假和生病不一样 — 是计划好的事,要提前 2 周以上告诉上司。婚礼、医生预约、家人来访 — 都算。" — "Planned day off is different from sick — 2+ weeks notice. Weddings, doctor visits, family visiting all count."

POINT TO: Timeline. Trace: 今天 → 口头请假 → 邮件确认 → 休假日.

SAY: "两步:① 先当面问上司 ② 再写邮件确认 — 这样有记录。" — "Two steps: in person first, then email to confirm — so there's a record."

ASK: "为什么先口头再邮件?" — "Why verbal first, then email?" (Face-to-face = respect; email = paper trail.)

POINT TO: Example: "Hi Maria, could I take June 15 off for a family event? I'm letting you know 3 weeks in advance so we have time to plan. Thank you."

WATCH FOR: "老板说不行怎么办?" Answer: 问 'Is there a better date that works?' 商量替代日期.

IF SHORT: Skip ASK, just read timeline + example.

Slide 10 · True/False Quiz · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "两道题 — 举手投票。① '病了发短信给上司告诉一声就可以了。' 对还是错?" — "Two questions. Q1: 'Fine to text supervisor when sick — no need to call.' True or false?"

ASK: Vote — "对的举手?...错的举手?"

REVEAL Q1: Click 揭晓答案 1. FALSE. SAY: "应该打电话 — 短信容易被忽略。实在没办法才发短信。" — "Call by phone — texts get missed. Only text if you really can't call."

THEN Q2: "② '听不懂上司说的话,假装懂了就好。' 对还是错?" — "Q2: 'If you don't understand, just pretend.' True or false?"

ASK + REVEAL Q2: Vote, reveal FALSE. SAY: "问问题不丢人 — 出错重做才浪费时间。用 'I'm sorry, could you say that again?'" — "Asking isn't embarrassing — redoing mistakes wastes more time."

WATCH FOR: Both reveals gate Next.

IF SHORT: Skip votes, reveal both, explain.

Slide 11 · When You Have a Problem at Work · ⏱ 3 min

SAY: "工作上遇到问题 — 不要发火,也不要憋着。按步骤:先小后大。" — "Problem at work — don't blow up, don't bottle up. Start small, escalate carefully."

POINT TO: 3-tier flowchart. Trace 1. Supervisor → 2. HR → 3. CSC / DLSE. Then red dashed line — wage theft / harassment skips to step 3.

SAY: "第一步找上司 — 排班、说明不清。第二步找 HR — 上司不处理,或上司本人就是问题。第三步找 CSC 或政府机构。" — "Step 1: supervisor for small things. Step 2: HR if supervisor won't help or IS the problem. Step 3: CSC or government for serious issues."

SAY (verbatim, important): "克扣工资、骚扰、歧视 — 直接跳到第 3 步。不要先找上司。" — "Wage theft, harassment, discrimination — skip to step 3. Don't try to handle with the supervisor first."

POINT TO: 📝 保留记录 callout. SAY: "日期、时间、说了什么、谁在场、邮件副本 — 一定要写下来。" — "Dates, times, what was said, who was there, email copies — write everything down."

WATCH FOR: Personal story disclosures. Don't process in front of the room: "下课后单独聊 — 我帮您联系 CSC 劳工咨询。"

IF SHORT: Read the three step labels. Skip the callout.

Slide 12 · How We Can Help You (CSC Services) · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "今天讲的所有内容,CSC 都可以一对一帮您 — 免费、双语、不需要任何身份证明。" — "Everything today, CSC helps one-on-one — free, bilingual, no immigration status required."

POINT TO: Five service cards. Read each. SAY: "难写的邮件 — 来 CSC,我们帮您写。HR 开会听不懂 — 我们派翻译陪您去。" — "Hard email? We help draft it. HR meeting you can't follow? We send an interpreter."

POINT TO: 213-808-1758 and cscla.org. Hold your finger.

IF SHORT: Read phone twice + address.

Slide 13 · More Resources + QR · ⏱ 2 min

SAY: "拿一张资料,扫二维码 — 完整资源:10 句常用语、邮件模板、求助话术、本地资源。" — "Take a handout, scan the QR — full resource page."

POINT TO: QR code, then three resource cards: CSC · CA Labor Commissioner · CA Civil Rights Dept.

ASK: "下一步,您想做什么?一件事就好。" — "What's your one next step?"

WATCH FOR: Lingerers near the QR — private questions. Stay 5 extra minutes.

7 · Interactive Moments

8 · Common Participant Questions (Q&A Anchor)

Rule: No legal, immigration, or specific case advice. Always route to a named resource.

Q1: 我老板说我们公司没有病假 — 真的吗? / Boss says we don't get sick days — true?

You say: "加州法律规定每个员工每年至少 5 天带薪病假 — 大小公司、餐厅都算。雇主不能因病假解雇您。" — "CA law: at least 5 paid sick days/year, all employers. Cannot fire you for using them." Route to: CSC (213-808-1758) · CA Labor Commissioner (1-833-526-4636)

Q2: 英语不好,可以发短信请假吗? / Can I text in sick?

You say: "最好打电话。实在说不出来,先发短信:'Hi Maria, this is Lin. I'm sick today and can't come in. I'll call you in 30 minutes.' 然后 30 分钟内打电话补一句。" — "Call is best. If you can't speak, text first then follow up by phone within 30 minutes." Route to: Resources handout · CSC 1-on-1 English coaching

Q3: 老板大喊大叫算骚扰吗? / Boss yells at me — harassment?

You say: "骚扰在法律上有具体定义 — 跟种族、性别、年龄、国籍等有关。我不能给法律建议,但 CSC 可以帮您评估。先把日期、时间、说了什么写下来。" — "Harassment has a specific legal definition tied to protected categories. I can't give legal advice — CSC can help assess. Start writing down dates and what was said." Route to: CSC · CA Civil Rights Dept (1-800-884-1684) · legal aid

Q4: 申请休假被拒怎么办? / Day-off denied?

You say: "先问 'Is there a better date that works for the team?' 商量替代日期。如果是医生预约或婚礼不能改,再解释。如果是病假被拒,这是违法的,找 CSC。" — "First ask 'Is there a better date that works?' If the date can't move, explain. If a SICK day is denied, that's illegal — contact CSC." Route to: CSC · CA Labor Commissioner

Q5: 投诉会被报复吗? / Retaliation if I complain?

You say: "加州法律禁止报复 — 即使您是无证身份。但报复可能用其他方式出现(减工时、刁难),所以一定要留下书面记录。" — "CA law prohibits retaliation — even for undocumented workers. But it can show up as cut hours — keep written records." Route to: CSC · CA Labor Commissioner

Q6: 能要求加薪吗?怎么说? / Can I ask for a raise?

You say: 开场:"I'd like to talk about my role and pay when you have time. Could we set up 15 minutes?" 准备好理由(年数、技能、加班记录)。CSC 一对一辅导可以帮您准备。 — Open with that line, have reasons ready (tenure, skills, overtime). CSC 1-on-1 coaching can prep you. Route to: CSC 1-on-1 career coaching

Q7: 不知道上司的名字怎么发音 / Can't pronounce supervisor's name

You say: 直接问:"I want to make sure I say your name correctly. Could you say it for me?" 不丢人,显得尊重。 — Not embarrassing; shows respect. Route to: Resources handout · CSC English class

Q8: 微信群里的朋友介绍工作,该用中文还是英文跟新老板说话? / Got a job through a WeChat group — speak Chinese or English to the new boss?

You say: "面试和正式场合先用英文 — 哪怕只会几句,显示您愿意学。除非老板自己先用中文,再跟着用。在 Monterey Park、Alhambra 的华人餐厅、超市,经常中英文混用 — 但工作邮件、HR 文件、请假申请最好用英文,留下书面记录。" — "Start with English in interview / formal moments, even short phrases — shows willingness to learn. Switch to Chinese only if the boss does first. In SGV Chinese-owned restaurants and markets, mixing is common — but keep work email, HR forms, and time-off requests in English so the paper trail is clean." Route to: CSC English class · CSC email-drafting help

9 · Recovery Plans

Internet fails: Use the printed handout — it covers every script. Slides cache offline via service worker on your phone. Skip QR; write the URL on the whiteboard.

Only 3 people show up: Sit in a circle. Skip the slide 5 + 10 votes — discuss as a group. More time on real questions from their jobs.

25+ people: Clusters of 4. Use mic if available. For slide 5, have each cluster vote (not individuals). Stay 5 extra minutes after.

Silent on slide 5: Wait 7 seconds. Then: "如果有人觉得 A 对,请举手?" The "如果有人" framing removes personal exposure. Still nothing — name what most pick: "很多人投 B — 因为觉得说 yes 是礼貌. 我们看看为什么 C 更好。" Reveal.

One participant dominates with a personal work story: "您说的情况很重要 — 下课后单独聊,我帮您联系 CSC 劳工咨询。现在继续。" Walk physically toward another part of the room.

Running long (>5 min over at halftime): Skip the slide 6 choral repeat. Slide 9: skip ASK, just read the timeline. Slide 10: reveal both without voting.

Someone discloses harassment / wage theft mid-workshop: Don't process in front of the room. "谢谢您分享 — 这个情况很重要,我们需要单独谈。下课后请等我,我帮您联系 CSC 劳工咨询和法律援助。" After class, take contact info, connect to CSC + CA Civil Rights / DLSE / legal aid.

If you finish early (5 / 10 / 15 min spare):

Don't default to "any questions?" — silence will eat the time. In a workplace-communication room the silence often comes from face-saving (people don't want to admit they don't know a phrase), so always offer the activity, don't wait for a hand. Run one of these matched to your spare-time budget.

• 5 min spare — Round-the-room one-word check: "用一个词说说,今天最想带回去用的一句话是什么?" / "In one word — what's the one phrase you want to use tomorrow?" Take 8–10 quick answers. People say "sick," "Maria," "thank you," "again" — that's success.
• 10 min spare — "Role-play the sick call" pair-share. One person plays Lin and reads the Slide 8 example aloud to a partner playing Maria the supervisor, then swap. Facilitator listens for the 4 steps (greeting + sorry + can't come in + when back + thanks) and gently corrects in front of the room. No grading. Full activity in §13.
• 15 min spare — Use the first sub-block of the 60-Min Variant (see §13) — the projected blank email template walk-through stands on its own.

If a question goes runaway long:

• "好问题。让我先记下来,我们在 1-on-1 / 资源页面里看更深。" — "Good question. Let me write it down — we'll go deeper in 1-on-1 / on the resource page."
• Write it visibly on a whiteboard or paper "parking lot." Move on.

10 · Closing & Next Steps (last 5 minutes)

SAY (verbatim): "今天就到这里。三件事请记得:① 生病打电话,不要发短信,越早越好。② 请假提前 2 周,先口头再邮件。③ 遇到问题,先找上司,再找 HR,严重的事直接找 CSC 或政府机构。 下一步:1) 拿走资料 2) 扫二维码看完整资源 3) 想约一对一时间的,跟我说一下。"

Translation: "That's all. Three things: ① Sick = call (not text), as early as possible. ② Day off = 2+ weeks notice, verbal + email. ③ Problems = supervisor → HR → CSC or state agency for serious issues. Next: 1) take the handout 2) scan the QR 3) see me after for 1-on-1."

Hand out: 6-section bilingual resource sheet. Point to QR code and the CSC phone number on the handout.

Send them to:

• https://workplace-communication-workshop.pages.dev/resources
• CSC walk-in (767 N Hill St, LA 90012) for 1-on-1 email help or HR interpretation
• CA Labor Commissioner (1-833-526-4636) for wage / sick-leave issues

11 · Post-Workshop Tasks (within 24 hours)

• Save the sign-in sheet (scan or photograph)
• Note attendance + mood in the workshop log
• Follow up with anyone who lingered after — usually a private wage / harassment / sick-leave question needing a real referral
• Send WeChat / SMS with slides + resources URL to anyone who shared contact info
• Write down any question you couldn't answer for the next staff sync
• Flag any slide that confused participants for the next audit pass

12 · Quick Reference Card (print this page)

One sheet. Clipboard. Lectern. Glance during workshop.

Workshop 13 — Communicating at Work · 30 min

Agenda strip:

1. (1–2) Welcome + agenda — 2 min
2. (3–4) Talk to supervisor + ask help — 6 min
3. (5) Activity: Which response? — 3 min
4. (6–7) 10 phrases + work email — 4 min
5. (8–9) Sick call + day-off — 5 min
6. (10) True/False quiz — 3 min
7. (11) Escalation tree — 3 min
8. (12–13) CSC + QR — 4 min

If running long: cut the slides flagged in §9 first; convert pair-shares to "think 30 sec + raise hand."

If you finish early:

• 5 min spare → round-the-room one-word check ("一句您明天想用的话")
• 10 min spare → §13 "Role-play the sick call" pair-share
• 15+ min spare → first sub-block of §13 60-Min Variant (projected blank email template)

Top 5 questions you'll get:

1. 公司说没病假 — 是真的吗?
2. 可以发短信请病假吗?
3. 老板大喊大叫算骚扰吗?
4. 申请休假被拒怎么办?
5. 投诉会不会被报复?

Emergency phrases (facilitator):

• Silence: "如果有人…"
• Redirect: "我们听听其他人的看法。"
• No answer: "好问题。让我跟同事确认,再联系您。"
• Out of scope: "这个问题最好问 CSC 劳工咨询或律师。我可以帮您联系。"
• Disclosure: "下课后单独聊 — 我帮您联系 CSC。"

Three facts to know cold:

• CA paid sick leave = at least 5 days/year, all employers. Cannot be fired for using them.
• Sick call = phone, 2+ hours before shift. Day off = 2+ weeks notice, verbal then email.
• Wage theft / harassment / discrimination = skip supervisor and HR — go to CSC or state agency directly. Keep written records.

Key participant phrases (drill if asked):

• "Could you say that again, please?" — 您能再说一遍吗?
• "Just to make sure — you want me to ___, right?" — 我确认一下,您要我 ___ ,对吗?
• "Hi Maria, this is Lin. I'm sick today and can't come in." — sick call opener
• "Could I take June 15 off for a family event?" — day-off opener

If something breaks:

• WiFi out → printed handout + phone backup (slides cache offline)
• Projector dies → walk handout Sections 4 (sick/day-off) and 5 (escalation) around the room
• Can't answer → "我跟同事确认,再联系您。" + write it down
• Reveal button stuck (slide 5 or 10) → reload the page; both reveals re-arm

13 · 60-Minute Variant (when you have a full hour)

Use this when: Your slot is 60 minutes instead of 30+10, OR you finish the core 30-min teach with significant time remaining, OR the room asks for hands-on practice. The variant ADDS 30 min of applied work after the 30-min core — it does NOT re-run the same slides.

Don't lecture longer. The 30-min core is calibrated to LEP-adult attention. Extra time goes to PRACTICE — saying the phrases out loud, typing a real email, hearing your own voice make the sick call. That's where workplace English actually gets unlocked.

Finish-Early Extension (10 min — "Role-play the sick call")

The single highest-leverage 10-min add for this workshop. Rehearses Slides 4, 6, and 8 in one activity without new content. Stays generic (no real employer names) — face-saving + retaliation concern.

• Setup (1 min): SAY: "我们用 10 分钟练一下生病请假这通电话。两人一组 — 一个人演 Lin,一个人演上司 Maria。读 Slide 8 上的例子。读完互换。" — "10 minutes to practice the sick call. Pair up — one plays Lin, one plays supervisor Maria. Read the Slide 8 example. Then swap." Hand out the printed script if not already handed out. Pair an unsure speaker with a stronger one (don't make them volunteer — point and pair).

• Activity (7 min): Pairs run the call twice each (4 total reads). Facilitator walks the room and listens for the 4-step structure: greeting ("Hi Maria, this is Lin") + sorry / sick + can't come in / when back + thanks. Gently correct in front of the room only when you hear a step missing — model the fix, don't name who missed it. Bilingual volunteer can sit with one nervous pair and chorus the line word-by-word.

• Debrief (2 min): Take 2 quick observations to the room. One strong ("Many of you said 'Thank you' at the end — that's the part that makes Maria remember you as professional"). One stretch ("A few of you forgot to say WHEN you'll be back — 'I should be back tomorrow' tells the supervisor whether to find coverage"). Then close: "Practice this once at home with a family member before you actually need it. 不丢人 — 练过的人打电话稳。"

60-Minute Variant — Applied Block (30 min, added after Slide 13)

A live email-drafting clinic. Each participant leaves with one real, sent-able work email written in their own words. Stays within the "help you write it, not promise an outcome" boundary — we draft the email; we don't guarantee the supervisor says yes.

Time: 30 min (35 if you include the 5-min close)

Materials added:

• Printed paper handout: blank email template with 5 labeled rows (Subject / To / Hi ___, / one-sentence ask / Best regards, Lin) — ~20 copies
• A working laptop + projector to type live
• 1 bilingual volunteer roving the room for 1-on-1 tone / spelling checks
• Pens (already on every seat from §3)

Sub-block 1 — Blank email template projected · ⏱ 5 min

Open a blank email window (or a blank slide with the 5 rows). Project it. Walk the 5 rows out loud, the same way you walked Slide 7 in the core: Subject → To → Hi Maria, → one-sentence ask → Best regards, Lin. SAY: "今天我们不只是看模板 — 我们一起写一封真的邮件,您可以今天发出去。" — "Today we don't just LOOK at the template — we write a real email together that you can actually send today." Reassure: "您不用想完整 — 一句话就够。" — "Don't try to write a paragraph — one sentence is enough." Hand out the paper template so everyone has a row-by-row guide.

Sub-block 2 — Room dictates, facilitator types live · ⏱ 15 min

Take ONE real request from the room. Keep it generic — no employer names, no exact wage figures. Three safe candidates to offer if no one volunteers: ① request Friday off for a family event ② ask the supervisor to confirm next week's schedule ③ follow up on a paystub question. Pick one. Then type LIVE while the room dictates.

• Facilitator script: "我们写哪一封?" → take vote by show of hands. "好,Friday 请假。Subject 写什么?" Take suggestions. Type the first one that's specific (e.g., "Request: Friday June 12 off" — not just "Request"). Continue row by row. When someone offers an awkward phrase, don't reject — soften: "可以这样写,也可以再客气一点 — 试试 'Could I take Friday off…'" Show both on screen briefly, keep the softer one.
• What good looks like: A 4–6 line email, one ask, polite closing. Specific subject. No apologies for taking time off; no over-explaining the reason ("我老板想知道太多" — common worry; reassure that "for a family event" is enough).
• Stay in boundary: If the room pushes you to type something that's a complaint ("I haven't been paid for two weeks"), pause. SAY: "这个不是邮件能解决的 — 这要走第三步,找 CSC 或加州劳工局。我们把这个先放一边。" Route, don't draft.

Sub-block 3 — Participants copy + adapt on paper · ⏱ 10 min

SAY: "现在轮到您。用我们刚才的模板,在纸上写一封您自己的邮件 — 不一定是 Friday,可以是您真正想发的那一封。10 分钟。" — "Your turn. Use the template on paper — your own real email, 10 minutes." Bilingual volunteer roves 1-on-1: spell-checks, softens tone ("'I need this' → 'Could I…'"), confirms the subject line is specific. Facilitator keeps the projected example up as reference. Quiet, individual work — no pair-share, no reading aloud. This is the part where shy participants finally do it.

Close (5 min, optional): Round-robin — each participant says ONE word that's in their email (a verb, a date, a name). No need to share the whole thing. Hand out the CSC 1-on-1 sign-up slip: "想让 CSC 帮您看一遍再发?Sign up here." Opt-in only. End with: "邮件写好,周一就可以发。CSC 在,需要帮忙就来。"

When to use what — quick rules

Differentiation in the variant

• For advanced learners: Run the full Variant — they need the application. In Sub-block 2, invite an advanced participant to dictate the next line in English directly (no Chinese pass). In Sub-block 3, encourage them to write a second, harder email (e.g., a raise-discussion meeting request — the Q6 scenario).
• For mixed-proficiency rooms: Pair an advanced participant with a beginner during Sub-block 3. The advanced participant softens the beginner's draft; the beginner gets a peer scaffold without facilitator attention bottleneck. This is also where the bilingual volunteer's roving time matters most.
• For beginner-heavy rooms: Shrink Sub-block 2 to 10 min (one short email only). Expand Sub-block 3 to 15 min and have the bilingual volunteer sit at the front of the room and walk one participant's draft on the projector, line by line, with the whole room watching. Communal scaffolding > individual stress.

Routing & boundary

Same rules as the 30-min core: no legal, tax, immigration, or medical advice. The Variant teaches participants to WRITE the email and SAY the sick call — it does NOT promise the supervisor will say yes, will grant the day off, or will stop the harassment. If a participant pushes the live-typing toward a wage-theft / harassment / retaliation email, pause and route to CSC / DLSE / CA Civil Rights — that's a phone call to a counselor, not a self-drafted email.

WeChat-referral and SGV Chinese-owned employer code-switching questions (see §8 Q8) belong in the CSC English class + email-drafting 1-on-1, not in the variant block — they need ongoing coaching, not a 30-min clinic. Name the referral and move on.

Always close by naming the CSC 1-on-1 follow-up. The email written today is a starting draft, not a finished answer.

14 · Flashcards & Activities · 随身卡片与活动

There is a 6-card take-home deck for this workshop — vocabulary, a dialogue, a fact sheet, tips, useful info, and a diagram. 这个工作坊有一套 6 张随身卡片:关键词、对话、数据、小贴士、有用信息、图示。

Print 打印: 打开卡片 Open the deck · 直接打印 Print now. Prints 2 cards per landscape sheet (3 sheets per deck). Print one deck per participant, plus 1–2 spare decks for games; cut along the dashed lines. 每人一套,另备 1–2 套做游戏用。

Hand them out at the close (§10) — the deck is the take-home companion to the written action plan. 在结尾(第 10 节)发给大家,和写下的行动计划一起带回家。

Best-fit activities for THIS workshop (full menu of 8 at the flashcards page) · 这个工作坊最适合的两个活动(完整 8 个活动见卡片页):

1. 对话练习 · Dialogue Role-Play (对话卡 dialogue · 3 分钟) — 两人读对话,中英各一遍,换角色,再换成自己的情况。 Pairs read the dialogue in both languages, switch roles, then swap in their own situation.
2. 你会打给谁? · Who Would You Call? (有用信息卡 resources · 2–3 分钟) — 讲师给一个真实情景,大家指出该找卡上哪个资源、打哪个电话。 Facilitator reads a real scenario; participants point to the right resource on the card.

Always close with · 收尾必做 — 带走一张 Keep One Card (whole deck 整套 · 2 min): each participant picks the ONE card most useful to them right now and tells a neighbor why. 每人选一张对自己最有用的卡,告诉旁边的人为什么 — 给他们一个具体的、带得走的东西。