PDF pending restorationERIC Number: ED372791
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1994
Pages: 336
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Promoting Access to Vocational Education for Limited English Proficient Students. Final Report.
Alvarez, Irma J.
The Office Information Systems-International Program at Southwestern College, in California, was designed to provide Hispanic students with training for entry-level office employment. In 1993, a project was undertaken to develop and pilot intervention strategies to assist limited-English proficient students in the program's intensive general business, medical, and legal courses. First, 45 local employers were surveyed to determine their needs in relation to employees' oral, written, reading, listening, cross-cultural communication, and translation abilities. In addition, surveys were conducted with 317 English-as-a-Second-Language students at the college to identify needs and goals. Career counseling was also expanded and tailored to encourage students to progress beyond the one-semester intensive courses, while curricula for five courses were restructured to enhance articulation with degree courses. The fifth objective involved training five peer mentors/tutors to provide in-class assistance, while the final two objectives included the development of a model program guide and its dissemination to deans at over 100 California community colleges. To evaluate the program, 20 students enrolled in fall 1993 and spring 1994 were surveyed to determine outcomes. Of these, 47% were in jobs related to office training; 37% were in jobs not related to training; 52% were in business programs at a higher level; and 63% continued taking classes, most at Southwestern. Appendixes include employer and student surveys, revised curricula, tutor training agenda, mentor questionnaires, a bilingual careers seminar program, learning modules for bilingual medical and legal terminology, and the model program guide for Vocational English as a Second Language. (KP)
Descriptors: Bilingual Education Programs, Bilingual Instructional Materials, Clerical Workers, Community Colleges, Hispanic Americans, Interpreters, Limited English Speaking, Mentors, Office Occupations Education, Outcomes of Education, Program Effectiveness, Program Improvement, Secretaries, Two Year Colleges, Vocational Education
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: California Community Colleges, Sacramento. Office of the Chancellor.; Department of Education, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Southwestern Community Coll., Chula Vista, CA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A


