Students to walk in December commencement
(Green Bay) Seventeen Northeast Wisconsin Technical College students are spending their Saturday mornings getting ready for health care careers - and learning essential English skills. The students are enrolled in NWTC’s ELL Medical Assistant Certificate, an academic program that combines English Language Learner instruction with occupational skill training.
“This is a great opportunity for our ELL students who are interested in the medical field,” said Shawn Jensen, ELL instructor. “These courses help with vocabulary, computer, and customer service skills needed for them to succeed.”
After completing the seven-credit certificate next month, the students will walk in NWTC’s December 14 commencement at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay. Then, in January, the students will continue with the program, with the goal of earning the Medical Assistant technical diploma.
“My experience in this class is very good,” said student Yadira Delgado. “I really love it because I have always wanted to go back to school. I would like to encourage everyone who wants to go back to school and tell them that this is not hard if you want to do it. My kids are very proud of me. That gives me the courage to do better.”
Each class is team taught by a Medical Assistant instructor and an ELL Instructor. The Medical Assistant instructor focuses on the program content while the ELL instructor supports the class with contextualized vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing lessons with a medical field focus. Students also learn study skills, textbook reading strategies, test taking skills and job readiness skills.
Since the program started about eight months ago, Jensen has noticed an obvious change in her students. “Confidence,” Jensen said. “I have seen the students become confident in their English skills and academic skills. For some, this is their first formal education.”
Jensen said being bilingual will be a big plus for the students when they enter the medical industry. “Speaking both English and Spanish is marketable to health care providers as they will not have to provide an additional translator.”
NWTC’s ELL Medical Assistant Certificate program is part of Wisconsin’s Regional Industry Skills Education (RISE) program which was designed to create career pathways for low income adults. This is the second RISE program at NWTC. The College has also offered a ELL Welding Certificate program.
The College has seen an increasing demand for the RISE program. Another group of 25 students is set to start the Medical Assistant Certificate program in March 2012.