Lone Star College offers language skills classes to improve personal and employment opportunities

HOUSTON, TX - Having strong language skills provides a distinct advantage for those looking for employment or wanting a better paying job. Lone Star College is providing two special classes to help those interested in improving their language skills in health care and business.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a surge in unemployment and leaving many competing for job openings,” said Perzen Akolawala, LSC director International Programs. “These new classes will enhance the language and communication skills needed to be competitive in today’s job market.”

The courses are designed for intermediate English learners who want to focus on specific topics. Designed for flexibility, these classes provide instruction in reading, listening, writing and speaking. Participants will be able to log in and access the materials on their own schedule, interact with classmates through discussion posts and receive personalized feedback from the instructors.

The cost to attend is $192 per class after financial award with no application fees and no admission requirements. Interested students can call 281-401-5317 to learn more.

Designed by LSC faculty Alice Savage and Colin Ward, the original course material is provided with no extra fee. Ward and Savage are long time professional materials writers who have authored and coauthored books for Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press and Pearson among others.

“The goal is to make language learning meaningful, and you can best do this through content,” said Savage. “By reading articles, watching videos and interviews, and participating in online discussions at the optimal level, learners get to focus on the skills, vocabulary and grammar that fit their areas of interest.”

Classes in “English through Medicine and Society” and “English through Economics and Culture” will be offered later this spring. Each class is four weeks and students will need to have access to a computer and Wi-Fi. All course material a provided by the faculty.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to improve their language skills and content knowledge in their preferred professional area,” said Akolawala. “Space is limited, and classes are filling up quickly, so I encourage those interested to call today.”