Beginning Literacy

Beginning Literacy is a non-credit, open enrollment course to help students learn very basic English vocabulary, reading, and writing skills. Students who demonstrate proficiency in Beginning Literacy can read, write, and say the letters of the alphabet; can write their name, address, and date; can ask simple questions, and speak statements of basic need. Instruction includes individual, pair, and group work. Conversations help students become able to ask and answer questions about many aspects of functional everyday life.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Intermediate-Low

Intermediate-Low is a non-credit, open enrollment course designed for students who possess some basic skills in English. Students in Intermediate-Low improve vocabulary and learn to read and interpret simple sentences, instructions, forms, directions, signs, maps, and menus. Students who demonstrate proficiency in Intermediate-Low learning objectives can read common transportation and workplace signs, make sense of simple notes and messages, interpret simple forms, locate familiar information in simple lists, discuss simple sentences and communicate simply with various members of societal systems.

As students advance, they develop reading,writing, speaking, and listening skills in their roles as family and community members, workers, and citizens. Students learn to read and interpret basic written instructions, simple charts, schedules, graphs, diagrams, a basic payroll stub, perform basic calculations, fill out basic forms, write simple notes,and satisfy basic survival needs and routine social demands. Extensive development of conversational skills comes through pair and group work.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Intermediate-Advanced

Intermediate-Advanced is a non-credit, open enrollment course designed for students who already have high beginning reading and writing English skills. At the intermediate level students build vocabulary and improve reading, writing, and computational tasks related to life roles. Students continue to build grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills and practice high levels of practical conversation in pairs and small groups. Students learn to follow complex oral directions, learn new phrases with familiar vocabulary, know basic computer app terms, fill out basic medical information forms and job applications, and begin to write paragraphs.

In addition, students in Intermediate-Advanced learn to communicate comfortably in English, build confidence in speaking and listening skills, and enhance their ability to read and write. Students can function independently in most familiar personal and work situations, show better control of grammar, and can read and interpret authentic health and job materials. Students begin to show some creativity in order to produce language with support in more complex accent reduction and pronunciation.

At the advanced level students integrate language functions and language forms with informational sources, necessary skills, and real world topics. Students can function independently in familiar personal and work situations, show very good control of grammar, and can read and interpret most authentic forms and materials they encounter in the world. Students often use creativity to produce language. Students at the advanced level address topics that coincide with their learning goals: general, vocational, or academic.

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Commencement Ceremony

Students who successfully master the learning objectives of MCAS Intermediate-Advanced ESL will be invited to participate in the MCAS Commencement Ceremony. Taking part in this ceremony is a great honor! Students will be celebrated alonside high school students who have earned a diploma or the equivalent, career technical education graduates, and medical students who have received their certification and medical pin. We hope that many students work hard to achieve this distinction!

Certificate awarded for program completion

Vocational English (VESL)

The Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) course is designed to support English Learners preparing to enter the healthcare workforce through training programs, such as Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), and Pharmacy Technician (PT). The course provides focused work readiness instruction that equips students with the language, communication, and professional skills necessary for successful employment in healthcare settings

The curriculum emphasizes practical job preparation skills, including professional resume development, cover letter writing, job search strategies, online application navigation and interview preparation. Students also strengthen essential workplace competencies such as effective communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving and understanding professional expectations within American workplace culture. Upon successful completion of the course, students will possess the job-readiness skills, workplace knowledge, and professional tools needed to confidently transition from healthcare training into employment.

Instruction is provided through direct instruction, but students are expected to complete assignments outside of class time.

CNA VESL
Days: Wed
Times: 1:30pm - 2:30pm

MA VESL
Days: Tue
Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm

PT VESL
Days: Sat
Times: 8:30am - 9:30am

Healthcare Literacy

This concurrent support course provides integrated language and academic support for English Learners enrolled in the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), or Pharmacy Technician programs. Delivered through an Integrated Education and Training (IET) framework, the course aligns with students' technical training to contextualize language acquisition within healthcare settings and professional practice. Students develop the reading, writing, listening, and speaking competencies necessary to succeed in healthcare education and workplace environments. Instruction emphasizes the comprehension and application of medical terminology, safety procedures, patient care documentation, healthcare regulations and industry specific communication practices.

Through contextualized learning activities, students strengthen their ability to interpret clinical information, complete professional forms and records, understand patient rights and responsibilities, and engage effectively with patients, colleagues, and healthcare professionals.

By delivering targeted literacy instruction with career and technical education, this course equips English learners with the communication skills, academic foundations, and professional competencies required for success in healthcare training programs and entry into the healthcare workforce.

CNA Healthcare Lit
Days: Fri
Times: 8:30am - 9:30am

MA Healthcare Lit
Days: Tue
Times: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Healthcare Bridge

This prerequisite course provides a foundational pathway for English Learners preparing to enter in the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), or Pharmacy Technician career tracks. Offered in a flexible hybrid format that combines online and in-person instruction, the course introduces essential healthcare concepts while strengthening the academic and language skills necessary for success in healthcare education and employment.

Students will explore basic medical terminology, the structure and functions of the American healthcare system, and fundamental safety and infection-control practices. Instruction is also contextualized to support the development of reading, writing, mathematics and workplace communication skills within healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on building technical vocabulary, occupational communication strategies, and study skills aligned with program entry requirements and workforce expectations. By integrating introductory clinical knowledge with targeted literacy and career readiness instruction, this course prepares students to successfully transition and thrive within their chosen healthcare training pathway.

Days: Mon and Wed
Times: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Days: Fri
Times: 10:00am - 11:00am