Adult Education Provided by Grant at CSM
Adults who need basic education instruction can now get it with low-cost and no-cost programs in St. Mary’s County.
The Leonardtown Campus now has Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED) Preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL). Classes usually meet two times per week and are small so learning can be individualized to meet the needs of each student.
Most classes are free due to grant funding by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and Maryland Literacy Works. ABE students will be assessed to determine their literacy level and ESL students will be assessed to determine their level of English speaking and comprehension skills at one of the free orientation sessions to determine appropriate class placement.
“Promoting lifelong learning and personal enrichment for the citizens of Southern Maryland is the core mission of CSM. By offering free or inexpensive courses for adults living in St. Mary’s County who are motivated and want to expand their job opportunities, or build their working knowledge of English as a second language, we hope to remove any cost barriers that may have held people back in the past,” said Continuing Education and Workforce Development Vice President Dr. Dan Mosser. “There are so many more doors that open to people when they can read and speak English, and have a high school diploma.”
ABE classes cover all areas of basic reading, writing and math as needed to prepare for the GED test. GED test preparation classes are designed for adults 17 years and older who have not earned a high school diploma and who are not currently enrolled in a school program. Instruction helps students prepare to take the GED exam and earn their Maryland high school diploma. Students will be able to assess their GED test preparation needs by taking the free GED Ready Test offered twice a month.
ESL classes provide basic English language and life skills instruction for adults whose native language is not English. Courses begin with basic literacy levels. Instruction includes speaking, understanding, reading and writing English in order to be successful in the workplace and in the community.
A Family Literacy course focuses on the development of workforce skills and GED test preparation to increase students’ education and employability skills while learning to support their child’s academic development. Instruction is available to help parents in becoming their child’s primary teacher and full partners in the education of their child.
“We want to help all members of our community be productive and successful in meeting their family’s needs. There is great joy is striving for something and succeeding—on every level,” said CSM Leonardtown Campus Intake Assessment Specialist Frazer Nelson.
Free ESL orientation sessions will be held at the Lexington Park Library, Room A, from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18.
Free GED orientation sessions will be held at CSM’s Leonardtown Campus, Building B, Room 214, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, Oct. 9 and Nov. 20.
GED Ready© Tests will be held at CSM’s Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 203, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Nov. 6, Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. Additional dates are available January through June, 2016.
For information on adult education classes in St. Mary’s County, to speak with an advisor about your learning needs and goals or to register for any orientation, call Mr. Nelson at 240-725-5473 or e-mail: [email protected].
