Assisting English Language Learners in IELCE Programs Office

Assisting English Language Learners in IELCE Programs Office of Professional Development and Transition Resources Harlen Ernest Career Service Coordinator Slide 1

Assisting English Language Learners Adult Education Programs: Gwinnett Technical College – Vivolyn Ferguson ü 7 years as Career Service Specialist ü 18 years at Gwinnett Technical College ü Current Adjunct Instructor – teaches First Year Experience course ü ELL Student Program population: 2, 013 students Slide 2

Assisting English Language Learners Adult Education Programs: Georgia Piedmont Technical College – Hazel Simmons ü 8 years as Career Service Specialist ü 13 years at Georgia Piedmont Technical College ü Started as an ESL Instructor ü ELL Student Program population: 900 students Slide 3

Assisting English Language Learners Slide 4

Assisting English Language Learners Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education • IELCE is defined as “education services” Services: • Instruction in literacy and English language acquisition provided to English language learners that enables adults to achieve competency in the English language; and acquire the basic and more advanced skills needed to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens in the United States. • Instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship • Civic participation • Workforce Training Slide 5

Assisting English Language Learners Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education: • • • Athens Technical College Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Central Georgia Technical College Georgia Piedmont Technical College Gwinnett Technical College International Rescue Committee, Inc. Lanier Technical College Literacy Action, Inc Savannah Technical College Slide 6

Assisting English Language Learners • What are some of the challenges you face at your program as a CSS when working with ELL students? Slide 7

Assisting English Language Learners: Challenges: Gwinnett Technical College: • Language Barrier: − Vocabulary − Comprehension • Culture: − Perception of time − Other Cultural norms vs American Culture norms Slide 8

Assisting English Language Learners: Challenges: Georgia Piedmont Technical College: • Lack of Resources: − Transportation to ESL program and to work − Acceptance of education and experience • Navigating Education Pathways: − Identifying transferable workforce skills Slide 9

Assisting English Language Learners • What are some of the successes you’ve had with your IELCE program? Slide 10

Assisting English Language Learners: Successes: Gwinnett Technical College: • Enrollment in IET: − Assisted in laying the foundation for IET Enrollments: ü Microsoft ü Phlebotomy ü Medical Administrative Slide 11

Assisting English Language Learners: Successes: Georgia Piedmont Technical College: • Customer Service IET Program: − Assisted in laying the foundation for IET Enrollments − Combined several pathways into 1…? − What skills students gain: ü Confidence ü Applying classroom instruction with real world application Slide 12

Assisting English Language Learners • What suggestions would you offer to other CSS’s working with ELL/IELCE students? Slide 13

Assisting English Language Learners: Suggestions: Gwinnett Technical College: • Have Patience: − Show empathy & understanding − Student Story Slide 14

Assisting English Language Learners: Suggestions: Georgia Piedmont Technical College: • Methods of Connecting: − Gathering and Applying Data − CSS’s online services for Students Slide 15

Assisting English Language Learners: Suggestions: Community Based Organization: Catholic Charities Atlanta ü Daisy Huerta ü Former Data Specialist ü Current ESL Instructor ü New Career Service Specialist From an ESL Instructor Perspective… Slide 16

Assisting English Language Learners: Suggestions: Community Based Organization: Catholic Charities Atlanta From an ESL Instructor Perspective… • Tip#1 − Establishing and developing student/staff relationships! − It shows support to new students Slide 17

Assisting English Language Learners: Suggestions: Community Based Organization: Catholic Charities Atlanta • Tip#2 - Program Communication is vital: − All staff should be knowledgeable about program related information − Ensure that students are registered on every communication platform available within the program − CSS calendars are distributed monthly to individual classrooms Slide 18

Assisting English Language Learners: Questions or other Best Practices from the field…. ? Slide 19

Assisting English Language Learners Employment Opportunity: Atlanta Public Schools – Naomi Palmer WELCOMING ATLANTA: www. welcomingatlanta. com The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs – Welcoming Atlanta works to ensure Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ vision of an affordable, resilient and equitable city where all are included and afforded equal opportunities. Slide 20

Assisting English Language Learners Employment Opportunity: WELCOMING ATLANTA: www. welcomingatlanta. com • Subject: Job Opportunities for Foreign-Trained Nurses ***Specifically for individuals who are underutilized or unemployed of a foreign-trained population; who have jobs that are significantly below their education and skill level. Slide 21

Assisting English Language Learners Employment Opportunity: WELCOMING ATLANTA: www. welcomingatlanta. com • Encouraging all nurses and respiratory therapists with the basic qualifications below, who have a valid license, or an inactive or lapsed license within the last 5 years from their home country, and are yet to take their licensing exam, to send a resume and cover letter to: welcomingatlanta@atlantaga. gov ü ü A minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing is required A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is strongly preferred One (1) or more years’ experience as a Registered Nurse required Specific area of specialty previous experience preferred Slide 22

Thank You! Harlen Ernest Career Services Coordinator hernest@TCSG. edu Slide 23