ESL Students Embrace Educational Growth at Santa Ana College
In a remarkable transition, 11 students from English as a Second Language (ESL) course at Santa Ana College (SAC) School of Continuing Education matriculate to courses in English for Multilingual Students (EMLS). EMLS courses are offered by the English and EMLS Department and designed to help bilingual, multilingual, and non-native speakers of English improve their English language skills before they enroll in English classes and other higher level general education classes.
These inspiring students from Professor Melanie Mowrer's advanced level ESL class recently embarked on this incredible journey, which signifies a profound commitment to their education and professional development.
The educational journey at SAC wasn't merely a leap, but a well-considered decision fostered by immersive experiences at the college. Through excursions to various academic facilities, such as the Learning Center and an Anthropology Lab alongside engaging sessions led by SAC faculty experts, these ESL students were empowered to explore the breath of educational opportunities available to them.
Among the diverse array of courses, the 11 students chose to enroll in Intermediate American English Pronunciation taught by Professor Aaron Kelly. This choice was driven by their aspirations for enhanced communication skills and a deeper understanding of the English language.
Angel Casco, an auto mechanic among the transitioning students, expressed his excitement about the opportunity the credit EMLS class presents. “The class is an amazing chance for me to practice my conversation skills, so I can converse with the customers whose cars I am servicing," he remarked, highlighting the practical relevance of his academic pursuits to his professional endeavors.
Similarly, Leticia Medina shared her motivation for embracing new classes despite initial apprehensions. “I was always too intimidated to try college classes, but with Professor Mowrer's encouragement, I'm going to give it a try," she said. Leticia, who runs housekeeping and floral businesses, recognizes the pivotal role effective communication plays in understanding her clients' needs and enhancing customer satisfaction.
The transition from ESL to EMLS classes exemplifies the transformative power of education and the unwavering support of dedicated instructors like Professor Mowrer. Their journey underscores the importance of accessibility, encouragement, and tailored guidance in empowering students to pursue their educational aspirations.
As these 11 students continue their journey at SAC, they not only expand their linguistic capabilities but also embark on a path of personal and professional enrichment, poised to make significant contributions to the Santa Ana community and beyond. Both ESL and EMLS courses provide practice in areas, such as vocabulary development, advanced sentence construction, writing fluency, and paragraph and essay development.
To learn more about the EMLS program at SAC, please click here. You can also explore programs and pathways offered at Santa Ana College, please visit www.sac.edu.
