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VGCC Expands Program To Offer English Instruction To Other Nationalities In Addition To Hispanic

Responding to a stated need in the community, Vance-Granville Community College will conduct a new basic English conversation class at its main campus in Vance County.

VGCC currently has several English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) courses that are primarily directed toward Hispanics in the four counties served by the college. The new class, which will begin Sept. 11, will be for persons of other nationalities who speak little or no English.

“We had a young man from Korea attend one of our Continuing Education learning laboratories, and the instructors found he needed more time and attention than they could devote to him,” said George Tyler, ESL coordinator for VGCC. “We have received inquiries from other non-English speaking persons, and we decided this class is needed.”

The classes will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the main campus, and they are free to all students.

Basic English conversation, or “survival English,” will be taught in the class, Tyler said. Instruction will concentrate on the everyday needs of students, such as how to shop and pay for merchandise, how to talk to doctors, police and other public figures, and how to rent homes and arrange for utilities.

Someone who speaks and understands English should contact Tyler or someone in the Continuing Education Department at VGCC at (252) 492-2061 on behalf of prospective students. These persons will arrange enrollment for the students, and the college can ensure it has the materials needed for the nationality of the student.