The School of Continuing Education launched two new courses during spring semester designed to prepare English learners for jobs in education, further expanding West Valley College’s reach and support for students who might not otherwise connect with the college.
The two-course sequence, “ESL for Careers in Early Childhood Education,” prepares students interested in enrolling in the WVC Become a Teacher Pathway to Certificate Program or Child Studies credit coursework. The free classes emphasize building students’ English skills and confidence in occupational settings.
Of 19 students enrolled, 12 speak Spanish as their first language; others speak Farsi, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Nearly 80% of cohort members are 40 to 66 years old and three are men.
West Valley launched the program to help address the needs of employers and workers, said Mark Manrose, director of the WVC School of Continuing Education.
“There’s a need for workers in this field, and we want to help create pathways for them to enter the profession,” he said.
Classes are offered at the Overfelt Adult Center in San Jose through WVC’s partnership with the South Bay Consortium for Adult Education.
The career-readiness program reflects West Valley’s commitment to expanding access and resources for a broad segment of the community, including older learners from socioeconomically challenged areas, Manrose said.
“We’re bringing in groups from the community who would not normally come to the college,” he said. “It’s breaking down barriers and meeting people where they are.”