San Jacinto College offers noncredit courses in English and courses to work in K-12 education
There are a variety of ways for a person to begin a new career. One area of the Continuing and Professional Development is Community Education for people who either want to learn English as a second language (ESL) or begin their training and career in education.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) course series at San Jacinto College is a hidden gem among English language programs in the Houston area. This program allows participants to learn English, without the costly private institute tuition. San Jacinto College offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses in eight levels of English language proficiency.
“The course is a refresher on the areas of math, reading and writing and includes a segment for professional ethics and instructional methods on how to handle various classroom situations.”
– Cathy DiSantis paraeducator instructor
The beginner courses covers such lessons as high frequency vocabulary; basic sight words; phonics; reading, writing and practicing speaking; and antonyms and synonyms. Intermediate courses include lessons in job and industry vocabulary, proofreading, internal on-the-job communications, external communications with clients and customers, and problem solving and decision making skills. The advanced level courses include enhancing the comprehension of challenging materials, texts, or practical discussion for fluency in the English language; Learn English to Advance and Progress (LEAP) to Workforce English; communication situations found throughout business and the workplace; Success Towards English Proficiency (STEP) to Academic English; and academic English for college readiness.
Community Education through the Continuing and Professional Development at San Jacinto College division offers the Paraeducator Institute Training and Child Development Associate Training for people who want to work in K-12 education. Photo credit: Andrea Vasquez, San Jacinto College.
“Students come to San Jacinto College with all levels of English proficiency and academic goals,” said Jaynie Mitchell, dean of community education with the Continuing and Professional Development division at San Jacinto College. “Beginning and intermediate students, and those who want to move into short term workforce training, can take ESL classes offered daytime and evenings on any of our campuses. Those with intermediate high and advanced English Language skills, who wish to take credit classes toward a certificate or degree, may be ready for higher level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and should contact their campus Counseling and Educational Planning Center.”
Other options available to those who want to become proficient in English are free ESL Foundations classes, taught by San Jacinto College faculty at a variety of public schools in our service area through a grant provided Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Calling all future educators
Community Education through the CPD division also offers the Paraeducator Institute Training and Child Development Associate Training.
The College prepares individuals for work as paraeducators, those who have the ability and skills to assist licensed/certified staff in all components of the instructional process. The paraeducators training course provides participants with a way to become involved in their school district by beginning the process toward an education degree.
“The paraeducator training course introduces someone to the field of teaching and could help someone decide if he or she wants to teach and at which grade levels,” said Cathy DiSantis, paraeducator instructor. “The course is a refresher on the areas of math, reading and writing and includes a segment for professional ethics and instructional methods on how to handle various classroom situations.”
Participants meet three Saturdays for one month for instruction and the Paraeducator’s Assessment of Competencies exam. Based on test results, participants will either receive certification or an opportunity to receive tutorial and retest support.
The Child Development Associate Training Certificate is designed to give people a head start in teaching young children. The three Child Development Associate (CDA) training classes provide the students with the knowledge and experience needed to working successful work with young children.
The CDA credential is a national credential awarded by the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. If a student who has been awarded a CDA credential completes an application to San Jacinto College, college credit for three CDA training courses, which equals 12 semester hours, will be awarded. These courses can also be completed through the CPD program. Upon successful completion, the students will notify the department chair to apply for credit by exam.
The CDA courses are part of the Certificate of Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Child Development. Once a student receives an associate degree from San Jacinto College, he or she may transfer to the University of Houston-Clear Lake to work toward a bachelor’s degree in child development.
For more information about all of the options the Community Education has to offer through CPD, visit sanjac.edu/cpd or call 281-476-1838.
– Jeannie Peng-Armao
