First Advisor

Kathryn A. Harris

Date of Award

5-22-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in World Languages & Literatures: Spanish and University Honors

Department

World Languages and Literatures

Subjects

Hispanic Americans -- Employment -- Oregon -- Portland, Fast food restaurants -- Oregon -- Portland -- Management, English language -- Study and teaching, Language in the workplace, Food service employees -- Promotions, Hispanic Americans ǂv Personal narratives, Employer-supported education

DOI

10.15760/honors.704

Abstract

This case study illustrates the employment journeys and experiences of three Latinx fast-food industry service workers. Analyses of in-depth interviews reveals while participants share comparable employment histories, they also demonstrate differences in regard to the paths to management they have experienced, and their level of language confidence at work. All participants in this study have been offered and have declined management positions. First, this analysis suggests there is a myriad of reasons besides a lack of English language skills regarding why Latinx fast food restaurant workers may not assume management positions. These reasons include participants lacking the following: time to devote to English language study, desire to change their shift schedule, and adequate compensation for the managerial role. Second, this analysis suggests there may also exist a mismatch between the perception the fast-food worker has of their own language skills, and their manager/supervisor’s perception of their language skills and readiness to assume a managerial position. The mismatch points to a need for more English language education, which has the potential to bolster learner confidence and lessen the gap between employee and manager/supervisor perception of the employee’s language skills. This study argues for employer-sponsored English language classes to support the language learning journey of Latinx employees. In turn, this would benefit the workers in their personal and professional lives, as well as the fast-food restaurants, because the more confident and proficient the employees are in their English language capabilities, the more smoothly the restaurant will operate.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/28781

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