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2011 SOL Summer Learning Academy with
Ferris State University – Click here to see how local youth are stemming summer learning loss.
The Hispanic Voice
Providing Opportunities to Be Heard. Local “rising 9th graders” in the Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Program this summer worked with journalist, Federico Martinez, to develop, write, edit and publish stories of importance to them on an online website as part of the Believe 2 Become initiative of the Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation to stop summer learning loss. Click here to read their stories
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Cultural Competency
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan promotes self-sufficiently among the adults in our community through our Adult Education & Employment Program. We achieve this goal by providing comprehensive English as a Second Language, Digital Literacy, and Spanish-Language GED Preparation courses.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Our ESL classes are designed to prepare adult students to communicate more effectively in the community, the home, and the workplace. We maintain a positive and safe learning environment in which students feel comfortable, fostering quick language acquisition.
We created our curriculum around the CASAS content standards for Life and Work English. By CASAS standards, students take a pretest and a post-test, receiving 40-90 hours of instruction between each test. Within that instruction period, students will ideally gain 3 points on their post-test. At the Hispanic Center, our students receive 40 hours of instruction between testing cycles. In our January – March 2012 round of classes, students gained on average 6.25 points on their reading tests and 7.85 points on their listening tests – more than doubling the national CASAS standard.
Quick facts about our ESL classes:
Beginner-level classes offered throughout the year
CASAS Pre- and Post-tests administered to measure student progress. Staff is CASAS certified and compliant.
Paid instructors teach each class with a maximum of 30 students.
Each class structured to meet goals and objectives as set by students.
$50 student fee for each 12-week session: includes free childcare, all class materials, testing, student photo ID, and certificate of completion. Individual volunteer tutors made available upon request.
Digital Literacy
Our newly renovated facility is Wi-Fi enabled, providing adults in our community with public access to online resources through our mobile computer lab.
Quick facts about our Digital Literacy classes:
Beginner-level classes offered throughout the year.
Students instructed in the basics of computer care, Microsoft Word, Internet searches, social media, e-mail, and typing skills.
Paid instructor teaches a maximum of 15 students in each class.
Each class is structured to meet goals and objectives as set by students.
$40 student fee for each 15-week class session: includes free childcare, all class materials, student photo ID, and certificate of completion.
Spanish-Language GED Preparation
We will be offering GED preparation classes in Spanish starting in the summer 2013.
Location: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, 2nd Floor
Staff contact: Jaenell Ott, Adult Education Coordinator and Lead teacher
(616) 742-0200 ext. 152 or jott@hispanic-center.org
English-Language GED Preparation
We currently offer GED preparation classes in English on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for students, ages 17.5 through 21, for members of our Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Program.
Location: Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, 1st or 2nd Floor
Staff contact: Rachel Humphreys, Youth Advocate and Data Monitor
(616) 742-0200, x151 or rhumphreys@hispanic-center.org