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    Chapter 16: Transition Services

      Retaining Students- Chapter 16

       

      Why should we provide transition support?


      Adult education is goal oriented. Assisting learners with their goals will keep students motivated and can contribute to a higher retention level.

       

      Transition Services

      Adult learners come into your ESOL class or program with a goal in mind for why they want to learn English (with varying degrees of clarity), but not always the wherewithal to determine a specific path, or the knowledge of how to go about achieving their goal. Identifying and sharing locally-available resources geared toward your specific learner community—whether the goal is a more advanced English class, a GED preparation or Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, post-secondary education, job training, or employment—is part of helping learners to work toward their personal and professional goals.

      ♦ How can you offer transition support?

      • Make available resource lists of relevant organizations and agencies, preferably already collated by other agencies (for example, lists of resources pulled together by the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center).
      • Link with local organizations providing GED and ABE programs and job training opportunities, and disseminate information on these programs.
      • Organize field trips that allow your learners to learn more about educational, workforce development, or employment services.
      • Have on hand information on other ESOL programs nearby that may have classes that are more advanced, or more appropriate for a particular learner.
      • One-on-one counseling.
      • Invite speakers to your class to talk about educational, job training, or career opportunities.
      • Work with local community colleges to learn about workforce ESOL programs that may have low cost or even free coursework which can both prepare students with the language they need in specific occupational fields and give them certifications in high demand fields.
       

      For lesson plans related to transition see:

      Integrating Career Awareness in the ABE and ESOL classroom: Curriculum Guide (Martha Oesch and Carol Bower)

      https://www.collegetransition.org/career-pathways/publications/ica-curriculum-guide/

      Transition Services

      ♦ NOTES FROM THE FIELD

      Family Services Inc. Family Discovery Center ESOL StatisticsShari Waddy, Program Manager, Family Discovery Center (FDC), Family Services, Inc. talks about her program’s transitional services. 

      “The Family Discovery Center schedules field trips, guest speakers, and offers experiential educational outings that provide students with information and resources in the community. These resources help them transition from ESOL classes to continuing their education, securing employment, or accessing support services for themselves and their families. Some field trips help transition our participants from the program to further their education. For example, we take field trips to Montgomery College and Ana G. Mendez University to give our participants the opportunity to see different education options in the area.

      Guest speakers also aid our participants in transitioning out of the program

      On these field trips, participants learn about admission requirements, fees, coursework, and any additional information that is necessary to aid them on their educational track. Guest speakers also aid our participants in transitioning out of the program. Presentations from  representatives of Montgomery College or Montgomery County Educational Opportunity Center allow our participants an opportunity to ask specific questions regarding furthering their education. In order to assist our students in finding employment, FDC schedules field trips to Worksource Montgomery or schedules guest speakers from Career Catchers. Business owners have also given presentations, which provided those participants who would like to start their own business valuable insight into how that can be accomplished. Additionally, FDC participants complete an employment readiness program as a part of their ESOL classes.

      Participants create a resume and practice their job interview skills

      During this program, participants complete a career assessment and practice completing a job application in print and online. Participants also create a resume and practice their job interview skills. Our students have also participated in field trips to job fairs and attended a presentation on how to apply for county government jobs. By providing participants with these valuable opportunities, we are preparing them for the next step and arming them with the tools necessary to transition from our program to a career or college. Finally, the FDC service coordinator connects with students regularly and provides case management to those experiencing personal hardships. The service coordinator also completes a transition plan with participants exiting the program that includes providing information and resources on the following topics: Career, Education, Health/Mental Health, Support Systems, Child Development, Finances, and Relationships.”