Much like the Career Readiness Program, CRP-IT is designed to develop essential skills and
English language fluency for success in an English-speaking office or American workplace
environment. Students who have completed the CRP-IT will become employed as Helpdesk Support
Technician, Windows Desktop Support Technician, Linux Desktop Support Technician, Bench
Technician, Technical Sales Support, Technical Salesperson, and other computer support-related
professions.
We offer the following courses for students interested in strengthening their portfolio for
success in the American workplace:
Career Preparation: Students take one career preparation course on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 hours.
These classes assist students in developing confidence while approaching prospective employers.
They practice writing effective cover letters, resumes, and both traditional and on-line job applications
so they can communicate their new skills. Students learn how to look for a job using Craigslist and
other on-line resources, newspapers, job fairs and job postings, and personal networking opportunities.
Students also develop a career plan, write a resume and prepare for job interviews, as well as learning
how to negotiate compensation, and write cover, thank you and follow-up letters. Classes cover office
culture and other professional and personal skills needed to retain and advance in a job.
Internship/Externship: Internships (unpaid work experience) sponsored by the English Center offer our
students, who have achieved at least high-intermediate English language proficiency, the opportunity to
gain professional experience, improve cultural understanding, and develop language proficiency while
participating in an American workplace environment. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles faced by foreign-
born job-seekers is the need for work experience here in the U.S. Here at the English Center, advanced
level students have the chance to gain such experience by volunteering here at the school as an intern
or in a part-time externship (an internship outside of the school) at an American business like the Port
of Oakland. Some women and men will enter the American workforce after they graduate from the Center;
others may find work in an international company in their home country. In either case, the Internship
Program offers an integrated approach to language and professional development
English Communication Courses: The core English courses provide a solid base in American language and
culture skills. For the CRP-IT program, students must test in at English Level 3, and they should
complete English Level 4 by the end of the program. A placement test will determine if a student can
English proficiency through English level 1. The core courses are Grammar, Reading, Writing, Speaking
and Listening. These classes meet for thirteen and a half hours a week on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
Specialized English Courses: Students may take one course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The courses
change each session to offer a variety of content. Each class meets for 3 hours a week and includes such
classes as: Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Idioms, Community English., English for Information Technology
Professionals.
Information Technology Courses: Students take three courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 hours. Individuals
proficient with IT technical support are in high demand with local employers.
The vocational training component of the CRP-IT program includes the following courses:
Each course is designed to prepare students for an industry certification. The A+ certification by CompTIA
is the primary certification that will be focus of the program. The majority of the course hours for the IT
vocational courses will focus on the attainment of the A+ certification. Other students can prepare for
include the CompTIA Network+, the Cisco CCNA, the CompTIA Linux+, and the CompTIA Security+. Achievement
of one or more industry certifications will increase the likelihood that students will be able realize the
programmatic goal of a placement into a $20+/hour job.
The English Center will be partnering with the Stride Center for the CRP-IT program. The CompTIA A+ training
courses for CRP-IT will be led by instructors from the Stride Center. The Stride Center is partner of CompTIA
and has realized very high A+ certification pass rate for its program participants.