Microsoft mogul Bill Gates once said, "I'm a great believer that any tool that enhances communication has profound effects in terms of how people can learn from each other, and how they can achieve the kind of freedoms that they're interested in."
He's right. In the United States, a mastery of the English language is imperative, and those whose native language is other than English can find it difficult, if not impossible, to knock down the barriers to advancement. Communication is most powerful when English fluency is achieved. Reaching that goal can begin here at MiraCosta College.
Locally, San Diego County's population grew larger and became more diverse during the last decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. For the first time, the majority of San Diego County's population is not white, non-Hispanic residents. Several minority populations have grown over the past decade: Latinos grew by 32 percent and now account for nearly 1 of every 3 residents in the county; Asians by about 34 percent; and Pacific Islanders also grew by about 11 percent. Further, the number of people identifying themselves as being of two or more races has increased to 94,943, or 16 percent.
Ethnic diversity can spur the need for English-language acquisition. That's where MiraCosta College English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs come in. For those seeking help in mastering the English language, whatever their current proficiency level, the college offers a variety of learning opportunities to achieve fluency in English and attain personal, academic, vocational and civic goals.
MiraCosta College offers several options for students or employees wanting to learn English. Businesses looking to offer English classes for their staff use our Community Services Program. Scripps Hospital and Toyota of Carlsbad have used MiraCosta College's contract education instructors to provide on-site, customized instruction.
For those students wishing to improve skills, but not earn college credit, the college offers noncredit classes. These are available at our Community Learning Center in Oceanside during morning, afternoon and evening hours. The program also offers open-entry distance learning, citizenship and vocational ESL classes, computer-based study and Saturday classes, offered by outstanding instructors like Sylvia Ramirez, who was recently named a recipient of the 2011 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.
Many students who complete the noncredit ESL program transition into credit, college-level ESL classes, like 26-year-old student Alberto Ortiz, an immigrant from Mexico.
"I started ESL classes in Level 4 at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center, and after finishing Level 7, took ESL 802 and 803 at the Oceanside Campus," he said. "I then completed English 100, and now am finishing 202. My ESL classes helped me to build the strong skills and confidence that I needed to reach my goal, which is to complete my degree in drafting. I am almost there!"
The college's nationally-recognized Credit ESL Program offers five courses and has a student success rate of 80 percent?well above the state average and among the highest student success rates of any academic program offered at the college. This impressive statistic is due in large part to the dedicated faculty who provide advanced, academic English language skill development and the program's highly motivated students.
"Our students are full of energy and optimism," says credit ESL instructor Melissa Lloyd-Jones. "They know that as their language skills grow stronger, their opportunities for academic and career success increase as well."
As an English-language learner myself, I know first-hand the benefits of learning English and obtaining a higher education. It is the key to full democratic participation and civic engagement in this wonderful mosaic we call America.
He's right. In the United States, a mastery of the English language is imperative, and those whose native language is other than English can find it difficult, if not impossible, to knock down the barriers to advancement. Communication is most powerful when English fluency is achieved. Reaching that goal can begin here at MiraCosta College.
Locally, San Diego County's population grew larger and became more diverse during the last decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. For the first time, the majority of San Diego County's population is not white, non-Hispanic residents. Several minority populations have grown over the past decade: Latinos grew by 32 percent and now account for nearly 1 of every 3 residents in the county; Asians by about 34 percent; and Pacific Islanders also grew by about 11 percent. Further, the number of people identifying themselves as being of two or more races has increased to 94,943, or 16 percent.
Ethnic diversity can spur the need for English-language acquisition. That's where MiraCosta College English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs come in. For those seeking help in mastering the English language, whatever their current proficiency level, the college offers a variety of learning opportunities to achieve fluency in English and attain personal, academic, vocational and civic goals.
MiraCosta College offers several options for students or employees wanting to learn English. Businesses looking to offer English classes for their staff use our Community Services Program. Scripps Hospital and Toyota of Carlsbad have used MiraCosta College's contract education instructors to provide on-site, customized instruction.
For those students wishing to improve skills, but not earn college credit, the college offers noncredit classes. These are available at our Community Learning Center in Oceanside during morning, afternoon and evening hours. The program also offers open-entry distance learning, citizenship and vocational ESL classes, computer-based study and Saturday classes, offered by outstanding instructors like Sylvia Ramirez, who was recently named a recipient of the 2011 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education.
Many students who complete the noncredit ESL program transition into credit, college-level ESL classes, like 26-year-old student Alberto Ortiz, an immigrant from Mexico.
"I started ESL classes in Level 4 at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center, and after finishing Level 7, took ESL 802 and 803 at the Oceanside Campus," he said. "I then completed English 100, and now am finishing 202. My ESL classes helped me to build the strong skills and confidence that I needed to reach my goal, which is to complete my degree in drafting. I am almost there!"
The college's nationally-recognized Credit ESL Program offers five courses and has a student success rate of 80 percent?well above the state average and among the highest student success rates of any academic program offered at the college. This impressive statistic is due in large part to the dedicated faculty who provide advanced, academic English language skill development and the program's highly motivated students.
"Our students are full of energy and optimism," says credit ESL instructor Melissa Lloyd-Jones. "They know that as their language skills grow stronger, their opportunities for academic and career success increase as well."
As an English-language learner myself, I know first-hand the benefits of learning English and obtaining a higher education. It is the key to full democratic participation and civic engagement in this wonderful mosaic we call America.