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Transitional English for Speakers of Other Languages, College Preparation Offered for Free at Massasoit

Feb. 2, 2022 – Brockton – To help unemployed or underemployed, non-native English-speaking adults begin their college journeys, Massasoit Community College is offering a free program that will run from late February to mid-September 2022. “Bridges to College” will provide participants with the language, college, and career readiness skills required to enter post-secondary education pathways – pathways that lead to in-demand jobs and careers with family-sustaining wages and benefits.

Transitional ESOL is a high-level English course that is designed to bring students to the level of Massasoit’s college credit ESOL classes. It strongly focuses on academic speaking, listening, reading, vocabulary, and the mechanics of expository writing.

“A language barrier prevents many adults from achieving their goals, whether that’s gaining entry into the workforce, moving up, changing fields or positions, or pursuing higher education,” said Kelley Tilden, director of Community Education at Massasoit. “It is also difficult for low-income individuals from underserved communities who are not native-English speakers to find affordable opportunities to improve their skills.”

Students accepted into Bridges to College will take the following academic programming:

Spring:

  • Transitional ESOL, Part 1 (non-credit) – Tuesdays from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  • College Experience (3 college credits) – Thursdays from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Work Readiness (non-credit) – Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (six classes in April – May)

Summer:

  • Transitional ESOL, Part 2 (non-credit) – Tuesdays from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
  • English Composition I (3 college credits) – day & time to be determined

Each course will be held in-person. While the program is free, eligible students must:

  • Provide a W9
  • Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Complete a language assessment
  • Successfully complete an intake interview
  • And all students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to registration.

Call 508-588-9100 x1987 for more information on Bridges to College and to schedule an intake interview. This program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.