AEL San Angelo

The HSE classes focus on the skills needed to pass the GED® exam, which is made up of four tests: Math, Reading & Language, Social Studies, and Science. The classes are divided in a way to allow students to focus on the subjects they need to complete the GED® tests, and they are studying alongside their peers who are working at the same skill level. Instructors are highly qualified and trained in the subject area they teach. Each HSE class uses Plato, a personalized online learning system, to enhance classroom studies that are unique to each student. Morning and afternoon HSE courses are 8 weeks long. The night HSE course is 16 weeks long.

ESL classes provide students the opportunity to strengthen their English literacy. Classes are instructor-led with supplemental online curriculum through Burlington English, which is uniquely designed for each student based on skill levels in the four core components. These skills are taught in conjunction with life skills and financial literacy to help the student function fully in the community. All ESL courses contain a component of American History and U.S. Government for individuals who want to prepare for American Citizenship. Course Objectives: Become proficient in the four core components of ESL in effective communication – reading, writing, speaking, and listening – based on NRS-approved assessments. Help students prepare for American Citizenship. Help students transition to improved employment opportunities, training programs or higher education.

Becoming a citizen in your new country is a great step. As a citizen, you can vote in national elections and contribute to your community. Research also shows individuals who naturalize, or become citizens, often make more money and have better job and educational opportunities.  Civics relates to civic knowledge and Citizenship is dispositional (attitudes, values, dispositions and skills). This Civics & Citizenship class is a specialized course that typically runs once a year and when there is a need for it. This class will help prepare you for the US citizenship test by focusing on US History and Government as well as Integrated Civics. Components of the Citizenship test, such as the 100 questions, will be studied and practiced. You will also receive explanations on filling out the citizenship paperwork and resources for any translation services needed.

AEL and the Howard College Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) program partnered to create an Integrated Education and Training (IET) model that offers extra educational support services to help students successfully complete the program. As an IET model, students will receive their training skills by their academic RMA instructor, but they will also have the benefit of a second instructor who will teach a variety of literacy skills that are contextualized with the RMA curriculum. This component of the course program allows students the time they need to focus on specific course content that students need help with to succeed in their training.

ESL classes provide students the opportunity to listen to the English language and to improve their speaking, listening, reading & writing skills, with a component of basic math and financial literacy. These skills are taught in conjunction with life skills and civic information to help the student fully function in the community. All ESL courses contain a component of American History and U.S. Government for individuals who want to prepare for American Citizenship. Basic math and financial skills is a new component added to the ESL course to help students understand monetary valuation and transaction. This course is part of an Integrated Education & Training (IET) course to help students earn a certification toward a trade that will help them qualify for sustainable wages. Students will work alongside Career Navigators who will help them transition between programs.

The TSI is a standardized test that is required for college placement. This course runs as needed* in the afternoons and evenings. TSI Prep is a 7-week course that meets twice a week and has an online component. This course is designed to help students raise their TSI scores for college placement**. A student does not need to raise scores in all TSI subjects. TSI Prep is a course for students who need to raise all of their TSI scores or even just one of the subject area’s scores. 

*This course will be scheduled as needed per the demand of students.

**Students must have taken the TSI tests at least one time and must be in need of raising scores for college placement. Copies of the official TSI tests must be brought to Orientation.

TEAS is a standardized test that is required at Howard College to apply for a nursing program. This course runs as needed* in the afternoons and evenings. TEAS Prep is a 7-week course that meets twice a week and has an online component. This course is designed to help students raise their TEAS scores for their nursing applications**. A student does not need to raise scores in all TEAS subjects. TEAS Prep is a course for students who need to raise all of their TEAS scores or even just one of the subject area’s scores. 

*This course will be scheduled as needed per the demand of students and for when a TEAS Test is offerd at the Howard College Testing Center.

**Students must have taken the TSI tests at least one time and must be in need of raising scores for college placement. Copies of the official TSI tests must be brought to Orientation.