The Wellington Language in the Workplace Project: Engaging with the Research and Wider Communities

Abstract

The Wellington Language in the Workplace Project (LWP) team has been collecting data in New Zealand workplaces since 1996 and has amassed a rich corpus which provides a valuable resource for engaging with local communities at a number of levels. Our research is community-based and engagement with workplaces has helped shape our research objectives and understanding, as well as assisting research participants to develop a fuller appreciation of the importance of effective communication. Our research has also been shared with the wider business community through newsletters, non-academic journals and other media channels, as well as through workshops and seminars. Further practical applications of the research have involved teaching materials and resources aimed at helping both native and non-native speakers improve their communication at work.