English Under the Arches®

We want you to feel confident in all that you do. If you are bilingual, this includes being comfortable talking in English. Whether you are speaking to customers or staff, your voice should be heard. English Under the Arches® can help.

With the support of English Under the Arches, you can improve your English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

Click on the sections below for more information

Who’s eligible?

English Under the Arches is available to both crew and managers. To participate, you must:

  • Be selected by your Supervisor or Owner/Operator as someone who would benefit from stronger English communication skills.
  • Be a non-native English speaker.

What should I know about English Under the Arches?

  • You must be selected by your Supervisor or participating Owner/Operator to take English Under the Arches.
  • McDonald’s covers the tuition cost for the program.
  • Content is focused on the English skills that restaurant employees need most. Whether you’re a manager or want to become a manager in the future, these are the language skills you need.
  • We teach the words and phrases that you’ll hear in your McDonald’s every day – so you can start using what you learn right away.
  • Courses are delivered using a blended method of live virtual classes and self-paced eLearning.
  • You will need access to the Internet and to an Internet-compatible device, preferably a desktop computer - but the course is also accessible via a mobile device.
  • You must have a personal email address to be enrolled.

What classes are available?

Depending on your current English skills and needs, we offer:

  • Shift Basics
    For employees with very limited English speaking skills.
  • Shift Conversation
    For employees who have some proficiency in speaking English.
  • Shift Writing
    For employees who are proficient with speaking English, but need practice with written English.
  • Conducting Performance Reviews
    For managers who need extra help with delivering performance reviews in English.

How do I help my employees get started?

Are you a Supervisor or Owner/Operator with employees who could benefit from improved English speaking skills? Get started in a couple easy steps!

  1. Think about which employees you want to offer this to.
    • Reminder they will need access to the internet or to an internet-compatible device, preferably a desktop computer – but the course is also accessible via a mobile device.
    • In addition, each employee will need a personal email address to enroll
  2. Managers and the employees they enroll will need to commit to a class schedule before being signed-up.
  3. Email Archways_to_Opportunity@us.mcd.com for the current class schedule, the registration guide, and next steps.

Success Story

Meet Lea



Lea Cagadas, a McDonald’s Swing Manager in Honolulu, used English Under the Arches to improve her ability to speak English and provide feedback to her crew members during performance reviews. “Attending English Under the Arches was very beneficial for me with having English as my second language.” The program helped Lea find the right words to inspire and motivate her crew members. “With the knowledge I gained from English Under the Arches, it not only improved how I speak but also made me better at handling the People Department.” As a result, Lea earned an “I’m Lovin’ It” Manager award for 2015 and an offer to become a DM1. “After having 3 kids and only finishing high school, I had never planned on going to college - but English Under the Arches inspired me to go back to school and get a degree. I’ve enrolled and got admitted at a community college!

 

Meet Clemente



Clemente Lopez was born in Mexico City. He started working for McDonald's in 2013 in Piscataway NJ, for Owner/Operator Dave Singelyn TSG. Clemente started his career as a maintenance person, and English was not his primary language, so he enrolled in English Under the Arches. He was so passionate about his job that he quickly became a Shift Manager then Department Manager and then General manager. EUA helped him develop his communication skills at the workplace and in his personal life. Clemente continues growing, and he encourages other to join the program in our McFamily.

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