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November 09, 2005

Gwinnett Tech’s English/Civics Program Helps Citizens Assimilate into Community

Free classes offered to adults interested in learning language, becoming citizens

According to the US Census, an estimated 20 percent of Gwinnett’s population speaks a language other than English at home. But several hundred members of this population who would like to become US citizens have enrolled in Gwinnett Technical College’s EL-Civics program for help in learning to speak the English language and acquire information needed to pass the citizenship exam.

Gwinnett Tech’s English language and civics program, part of the college’s adult education arm, emphasizes instruction in learning to understand, speak, read and write English, coupled with instruction on becoming a citizen, civic participation and U.S. history and govern­ment – thus enabling students to become informed parents, productive workers and active members of their communities.

Gwinnett Tech partners with other organizations like the World Relief Refugee Resettlement Services and the Gwinnett County Schools Community Schools Program to offer free classes in English and Civics to adults 18 and older. Classes have previously been held at Meadowcreek H.S. Community School, but the program recently moved with classes now meeting in the C-Wing of Berkmar High School Community School, 405 Pleasant Hill Rd.

Classes meet Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. for 10 weeks. Students do not pay for the classes, as they are 100 percent funded by Federal Adult Education Civics funds. Students commit themselves to regular twice-weekly attendance, hard study and practice at home.

The next class session will begin January 9. Registration for the January session will be held Monday, Monday, Dec. 5, at Berkmar High School Community School from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, in the C-Wing.

Registration is normally held at this same time on the first Monday of every month. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, as class size and number of classes are limited. The average class size is 30 students, and classes are divided into six levels from beginning to advanced.

These programs serve a wide range of ethnic and age groups. Eighty percent of EL-Civics students are between the ages of 19-44. The ethnic breakdown of the program is 74 percent Latino, 15 percent Asian, three percent Black/African and eight percent Caucasian. Approximately 64 percent of students are female and 36 percent are male. Most students work during the day, and attend classes at night.

Registration requirements include:

• proof of residency in Gwinnett county (either a Georgia ID, lease agreement or mortgage, or utility bill less than 90 day)
• picture I.D. (either current driver's license or state ID, current passport or ID from your country, green card, I-94 or EAD Mexican consulate ID, or international driver's license)

For additional information, contact Judie Plumb, EL/Civics Lead Instructor, Gwinnett Tech, 678-226-6340 or jplumb@gwinnetttech.edu.

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.