English Language Acquisition (ELA)/Integrated English Language and Civics Education (IELCE)
Also known as English as a Second Language (ESL), these classes are designed to help adult learners ages 16 and older whose native language is not English. Classes focus on ear training participants to American intonation and pronunciation. The program highlights English skills for reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The Program offers six (6) Educational Functioning Levels (EFL). Upon completion of the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) exam, students will be placed in one of the following classes:
This foundation ESL course is for students that have no experience using the English language. We will be covering the alphabet, numbers, pronunciation, and vocabulary acquisition skills. Students will learn English language skills through diverse instructional methodologies to strengthen reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
This Beginning-Low English vocabulary and basic grammar course will cover listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills on topics of personal interests, career, and life experiences.
This Beginning-High conversation and grammar course provides practice in English through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Students will cover a variety of grammar points and move from writing a singular paragraph to multiple paragraphs.
This Intermediate English communication and grammar course includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Activities include team projects, presentations, and exams in preparation for academic and career success as well as civic participation.
This Intermediate-High course will focus on English grammar forms and structures through listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Students will listen to oral stories and dialogues learn conversation strategies, write main ideas and supporting details, conclusions and inferences, paragraph structure, transition words and complex sentences.
This High English communication and study skills course gives students skills to transition into college-level and Career and Technical Education (CTE)/Vocational ESL courses. Activities include teamwork, projects, presentations, and exams to ensure academic and career success, civic participation, and strategies for lifelong learning.
Classes are Offered
Monday-Thursday at 9:00am-11:30am and 5:30pm-8:00pm
New enrollments for students are done every 8 weeks, so please call us at 775-356-1007 to sign up for the next session.
Steps to Success:
English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes are offered to limited English proficient adult students to develop communication skills, function effectively in jobs, pursue a high school equivalency certification, training, enroll in post-secondary education, and participate as members of the community.
Orientation:
Students complete the application and attend orientation. At orientation, students will learn about the classes, the CASAS assessment, and work with our Career Pathways Coordinator to create training and employment goals.
Competency Based:
Students will complete the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) to measures the ELA student’s basic skills and the English language and literacy skills needed to function effectively at work and in life. Students will enter at 1 of 3 levels, basic, intermediate and advance. Students are expected to take the CASAS assessment every 50 hours of attendance and most student will move up one educational functioning level towards graduating from the ELA program.
Training:
Books and training materials are provided at no cost to the student as long as funding is available.
