English Language Acquisition Class Begins August 11
English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes will begin in Washington at the Missouri Career Center on Tuesday, August 11 for the first 10-week session. The free classes will meet Tuesday through Thursday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
“The aim of this program is to provide students, for whom English is not their primary language, with a working knowledge of English in preparation for citizenship tests, the workplace, additional education, and daily living,” noted Alice Whalen, director of adult education and literacy at East Central College.
Whalen said that classes will be conducted in a small classroom style to allow students to receive individual attention from their instructor and tutors. Students studying English will also participate in cultural and social activities in the community. Scenic Regional Library is covering the cost of all new books and testing materials for the ELA program.
The goal of an ELA program is to improve a student’s level of English language skills, depending on a students’ English abilities, interests, and needs in conversational English, grammar, reading, listening comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.
“We expect some individuals will attend our ELA classes to prepare for entry to college. Others will be looking to improve their English for travel, and for social or employment purposes,” stated Whalen.
Individuals who hold an F-1 student visa are not eligible for enrollment.
Adult Education Classes Begin – New Site Opens in Owensville
People wanting to prepare to take the high school equivalency (formerly GED) exam can take advantage of free adult education and literacy classes offered in nine area communities. Owensville becomes the newest site for adult education and literacy classes offered through ECC. Owensville classes will start Tuesday, August 4, at the First Baptist Church at 112 West Lincoln. Sessions will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
The free classes allow people to start at their own level and work at their own pace. “While many of our students come to class to prepare to take the high school equivalency test, we have some high school graduates who attend so they can improve their reading, writing, language, and math skills,” Whalen said. “AEL classes are useful as people transition to post-secondary education or for those individuals who want to increase their work readiness skills.” Books and materials are provided at no charge at all nine locations.
Students must be at least 17 years of age and not enrolled in secondary school to attend adult education and literacy classes.
To register for classes at any of the sites, email ael@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6533. Day classes are held at five locations and evening classes are held at nine locations.
DAY SCHEDULE
Franklin County
- Gerald – Calvary New Life Tabernacle 140 West Industrial Drive – Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon
- Sullivan – ECC Sullivan Site 11 North Clark Street – Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon
- Union – ECC Training Center Prairie Dell Road at U.S. Highway 50 – Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
- Washington – Missouri Career Center (Behind Big Lots) 1108 Washington Square – Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon
English Language Classes in Washington – Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Phelps County
- Rolla – Missouri Career Center 706 South Bishop Avenue – Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon
English Language Classes in Rolla – First Baptist Church, 801 Cedar St. 2nd floor – Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
EVENING SCHEDULE
Franklin County
- Gerald – Calvary New Life Tabernacle 140 West Industrial Drive – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Pacific – Tri-County Community Senior Center 800 West Union – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Union – ECC Training Center Prairie Dell Road at U.S. Highway 50 – Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
- St. Clair – First Baptist Church 450 East Springfield Road – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Washington – Missouri Career Center 1108 Washington Square – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Crawford County
- Cuba – First Presbyterian Church 701 West Main Street – Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Gasconade County
- Owensville – First Baptist Church 112 W Lincoln – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Phelps County
- Rolla – ECC Rolla North 2303 North Bishop Ave. (Hwy 63) – Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
- St. James – Caring Center Triplex Building 1 114 West James Blvd. #1 – Monday and Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.