More than 15 non-native English speakers will have the opportunity to attend a free, 20-week program designed to teach them English as it is used in Northern Essex Community College’s health care certificate programs.

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Bridge to College and Health Careers Program will be offered at NECC Riverwalk, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence beginning in the winter of 2013.

The program will run Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon from January 21 through July 15 with spring and summer breaks. The program is funded by the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation in partnership with Verizon.

Intermediate English speakers with a high school diploma or G.E.D. are encouraged to apply. After completing the program they may want to apply for admission to one of NECC’s health care certificate programs or continue with further academic or language support programs.

The 180-hour program will include pre-college level classes teaching English language skills through Introduction to Healthcare Occupations, Oral Communications, Medical Terminology, Computer Skills, and College Success. There will be an emphasis on academic reading and writing. Students who complete the two semesters will be better prepared to enroll and succeed in a college-level coursework.

The Bridge classes are built around the healthcare certificate programs offered at NECC,” says Kelly, the program coordinator. “We know non-native speakers learn English best in a contextualized environment. We selected one discipline – healthcare – because it is a rapidly growing field with lots of job opportunities.”
This course is available on a first come, first served basis for eligible participants.

For additional information, contact Amanda Kelly at (978) 556-3259 or akelly@necc.mass.edu. Visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/esolbridge