What is Vocational ESL?

Millions of immigrants leave everything behind just for a chance to come to America and make a better life for their families. Thousands are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Others are here under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, the Afghan Adjustment Act, and multiple types of visas which allow them to live and work in the US.

This means that many of them will need to learn English to participate in their new country. They will need assistance from an institution that is uniquely qualified to prepare them for their new careers. They will need to learn a specialized English that is tailored to the needs of their workplaces. This is where a vocational school and VESL program becomes important to the lives of new citizens and those authorized to work in the US.

What is Vocational ESL?

The aim of a Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) program is to serve those whose native language is one other than English. Put simply, VESL merges ESL instruction with that of vocational training. In this regard, vocational schools are in a unique position to prepare students for the competitive job markets they will enter with the English proficiency they need.

The majority of people who come to this country will want to work. And companies are hiring, particularly after a hiring lull from the pandemic. There are “We are Hiring” signs everywhere. However, many immigrants may have little or no English-language skills and are not ready to take advantage of these opportunities. This is where the VESL program plays a major role in helping new citizens develop their English language abilities.

And businesses recognize the value of having bilingual employees. Many employers pay for their employees’ English classes to better serve the company’s needs. This speaks volumes in how essential English language skills are in today’s globalized marketplaces.

Vocational statistics prove that those who are fluent in English have access to a wider variety of opportunities. In light of today’s competitive job market, those with English language skills have more job opportunities to choose from. So, there are many reasons why a VESL program is right for you.

What are the Benefits of Attending a Vocational School?

There are many benefits from attending vocational school. A reputable vocational school will equip you with the hands-on, practical education you need for success. You can train for a profession in a relatively short amount of time. You will receive a complete, skill-focused curriculum that will make you work-ready on day one of your new job. You will be trained by the best industry-experienced instructors. You also learn in nurturing, small-sized classes where you will get a lot of speaking, reading, and writing practice.

Working in an office setting is a very high-profile, responsible one. Being out front and answering phone calls means that you are the face of the company. Customers and stakeholders may never meet the president of the company, but they may base their opinion on their interactions with you. Today’s competent office workers are vital to the success of a company and must be well trained to qualify for such a position.

Your Future in the Workforce

Working in an office, you will need to know how to interact with the public, understand different accents, assist co-workers, organize effectively and complete administrative tasks. It will not be easy. However, studying VESL at a vocational school is one of the best ways to prepare.

There are other desirable vocations for which a VESL program can give you the keys for success. If you are interested in a rewarding trade and improving your English language skills, a vocational school with an HVAC program can help.

Learning at a vocational school gives you much more access to knowledge. Most of the content on websites is in the English language. Therefore, you will have a greater ability to learn more. And, once you learn English, it’s yours to keep.

What Do You Learn During a Vocational ESL Program?

With a VESL education, you learn the many facets of the English language: speaking, pronunciation, listening, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing. English is not the easiest of languages to learn due to its complex grammatical rules. It is complicated by sounds that are unfamiliar to English language learners in addition to words that are pronounced much differently than they are written. Who knew that the “PH” sound in English is pronounced like an “F”? So, “alphabet” sounds like “alfabet.” Vocabulary words like these often present a challenge. In addition, English language learners must learn sounds that have no equivalent in their native tongue.

Pronunciation Exercises

It is also noteworthy that different immigrant groups have pronunciation struggles with different letters of the alphabet. One cultural group may struggle with the V and B, while another cultural group will have difficulty pronouncing the L and R. These issues interfere with their ability to communicate effectively and to be understood by the listener.

In a VESL program, these pronunciations will be corrected. Instructors are well versed in how to physically position their students’ vocal mechanisms for correct speech sounds. Due to the small class sizes, an instructor can give you individual attention and help you with the mechanics of sound. It takes work, but when you make the adjustment and correctly pronounce the words, it will be one of many successes you will experience in a VESL program.

Speaking Exercises

However, learning English is not just mimicking speech. The student will learn to distinguish sounds and letters. Keep in mind that you will learn the different sounds of the alphabet in a native language and English. For example, the letter “J” in Spanish sounds like the English letter “H.” Thus, the new word will be “justice” and not pronounced “husticia.”

Listening Exercises

The listening exercises are important for obvious reasons, but the English language is replete with synonyms which may only be detected by the context in which it is spoken. For example, they’re, their, and there have been known to cause problems. But, in a VESL class, you will get a thorough understanding of contractions, possessives, and locations. In the end, the confusion will turn into clarity.

Reading Exercises

Reading is a fundamental aspect of the VESL program. As a student, you will spend a lot of time reading to complement your speaking exercises. Reading assignments serve multiple purposes and is very helpful in learning VESL. When you read, you are learning several disciplines at once. You learn vocabulary, sentence structure, grammatical rules, and writing skills. Reading speeds up the learning process and improves communication.

How Do You Attend a Vocational ESL Program?

Attending a VESL program begins with filling out an application for admissions. Or, if you have questions, you can contact Interactive College of Technology to speak with one of our admissions representatives. The representative can give you helpful information about the courses we offer and even provide guidance on a career path. They can help you apply for financial aid and answer your questions.

The career services department is there to help you find employment after graduation. Even if you already have a job, you can get leads to other opportunities for growth. A vocational school is set up for your career success.

If you are a non-native English speaker, a VESL education may be just the opportunity you have been looking for. VESL courses prepare you for the career of your choice and teach you career-specific English that will help you succeed. However, once you complete the VESL program, we are still committed to helping you reach your goals.

Final Thoughts

For many, living in America is the fulfillment of a dream. As an institution that trains many of those dreamers, we want to help you be successful in your new home. Given the history of our graduates, we are confident we can be of service to you and your future career. So, don’t allow indecision to keep putting your dream opportunity on hold.

Want to Learn More?

Our Vocational English as a Second Language (ESL) training program is designed for student success. Interactive College of Technology offers live online and in-person English classes that fit into your busy schedule.

Our Vocational English as a Second Language classes are set up, so your English develops skill by skill. Four levels of rigorous courses help you to comprehend the English language by combining lecture, lab, class discussion, and group activities. This effective method ensures VESL students are provided English language skills as well as cultural transference.

Students receive all VESL program materials to keep. You’ll also be provided with a personal email account, resume writing, and job placement assistance, media center access, and more! Our campuses are located across Georgia and Texas.

Let’s learn English together! Contact us now to learn more.

• What is Vocational ESL?
  • What is Vocational ESL?
  • How Can Vocational ESL Training Help You?
  • Where are Vocational English as a Second Language Classes Available?
  • How Can I Learn Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)?
  • What is the Difference Between Bilingual and VESL Programs?
  • 7 Aspects of Vocational ESL Comprehension