Adult Education Basics Course Descriptions

Index to Course Descriptions

Adult Education Basics

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Introduction to Math
• Introduction to Spanish: Level 1
• Introduction to Spanish: Level 2
• Introduction to Writing
• Reading Comprehension
• Reading, Writing, and Math: A Skills Refresher
• Workplace Writing

Adult Education Basics

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) - (78 Hours)

This course is designed for employees whose first language is one other than English. It will include reading, writing, grammar, speaking, listening, and other communication patterns. Participants will be able to:

• Practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening to the English language
• Develop a work-related vocabulary and practice its pronunciation
• Distinguish different types of verbal and non-verbal communications [Return to Index]

Introduction to Math - (78 Hours)

This course is designed for employees who want to refresh basic arithmetic skills and learn useful computation techniques. Employees can increase speed and accuracy in performing elementary math calculations. Participants will be able to:

• Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Learn several ways to eliminate careless mistakes
• Overcome their “math anxiety” [Return to Index]

Introduction to Spanish: Level 1 – 1 Day per Week for 4 Weeks

This course is designed to give employees a basic knowledge of the Spanish language, the Hispanic/Latino culture, standard pronunciation, daily vocabulary and grammatical structure of the language. It will provide a solid review of essential knowledge that employees can use, on a daily basis, in the workplace. Participants will be able to:

• Use basic greetings, salutations, and parting phrases
• Understand how the Spanish language uses masculine and feminine words to communicate
• Learn how to ask questions and give instructions
• Practice everyday vocabulary used at work [Return to Index]

Introduction to Spanish: Level 2 – 1 Day per Week for 4 Weeks

This course is designed to continue to give employees a basic knowledge of the Spanish language, the Hispanic/Latino culture in America, standard pronunciation, daily vocabulary, and grammatical structure of the language. It will provide a solid review of essential knowledge that employees can use, on a daily basis, in the workplace. Participants will be able to:

• Build on their knowledge from the Level 1 Spanish course by reviewing, learning, and practicing simple grammar and vocabulary structures
• Expand use of Spanish and form simple sentences in the past, present, and future tenses
• Use role play to incorporate contextualized vocabulary into daily workplace interactions and communications outside the workplace
• Familiarize themselves with several cultural topics in film, music, history, and Spanish literature
• Experience a new confidence and ability to communicate with the Spanish-speaking public using new structures and idiomatic expressions [Return to Index]
  

Introduction to Writing - (78 Hours)

This course provides a basic review of English grammar and punctuation principles and how to use them correctly in everyday writing. Individual and group practice will be included to help individuals perfect their skills. Participants will be able to:

• Recognize and apply the basic rules of grammar and punctuation
• List the parts of a complete sentence and their proper placement within the sentence
• Distinguish between a sentence, a phrase, and a clause
• Construct draft paragraphs and simple written documents [Return to Index]

Reading Comprehension – (78 Hours)

This course is designed to help employees enhance their ability to comprehend and interpret written materials that affect their work and daily lives. Participants will develop skills to build their confidence in reading. This course will use a variety of reading materials such as adult-based text books, direct mail, work manuals, and newspapers to improve reading speed and comprehension. Participants will be able to:

• Increase their reading comprehension and retention
• Scan and skim for needed information
• Improve their vocabulary [Return to Index]

Reading, Writing, and Math: A Skills Refresher - (78 Hours)

This course is designed for employees who want to refresh their reading, English grammar and punctuation, and math skills. It will provide a solid review of essential knowledge that employees can use, on a daily basis, to perform more effectively in the workplace. This course should also be helpful to employees who want to continue their education. Participants will be able to:

• Practice reading and understanding written materials
• Recognize and apply the basic rules of grammar and punctuation, and increase writing abilities
• Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, and percents [Return to Index]

Workplace Writing – 1 Day per Week for 4 Weeks

This course is a creative approach to workplace writing designed to increase employees’ comfort with the process of writing. It requires no prior writing experience. Participants will learn how to plan, draft, and revise written documents that describe their work experiences and personal lives. Through weekly assignments, in-class writing, and feedback, the class will explore writing as a pathway to clear thinking, communication, and self-expression. The concepts learned in this course can also be used to improve on-the-job writing assignments. Readings by published authors and working writers are included to provide inspiration. Participants will be able to:

• Explain key aspects of good writing
• Recognize and apply different styles of writing
• Express themselves more clearly, both orally and in writing
• Exhibit greater confidence in communicating [Return to Index]