NORTH PARK — Classes begin next week for adults with ESL skills looking to switch careers or refresh skills at an Albany Park community center.
Childcare Career Preparation Classes for adults with English as a Second Language skills begin Monday, April 6 at the Albany Park Community Center's North Park location at 5101 N. Kimball Ave.
Registration for the 11-week spring session closed April 1, but the classes are open until space is filled. Tuition is free.
Classes are Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and afternoons at 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Registration for the eight-week summer session opens in June. To register, call Karen Parillo at 773-509-5650.
"The classes are for adults looking to improve their English skills and interested in exploring careers in childcare, from preschool age to high school," said Parillo, APCC director of adult education, programming and assessment.
Parillo says the classes benefit anyone already in early childhood education, students studying education at any level, or owners of preschools.
The classes are bridge programs that prepare students for certificate and associate degree programs such as Truman College's teaching and early childhood development programs, and the American Red Cross' CPR First Aid certificate.
Students will be trained in four areas: English instruction, parent education, parent-to-child activities, and home visits.
Students will be using brand new computers acquired last year after a grant from Rivers Casino.
Instruction will be in English and are open to speakers from any language, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Filipino, Polish and Spanish.
Students who graduate from the programs can get help finding work through the center's Workforce Development office.
The APCC offers many tuition-free classes year-round, including adult basic education, GED classes, Saturday citizenship classes, and a Head Start preschool.
"The goal is to help families," Parillo said.
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