Information Technology Program



The English Center
7700 Edgewater Drive
Suite 540
Oakland, CA 94621
Phone (510) 836-6700
info@englishcenter.edu

  Career Readiness Program - Information Technology

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.


  Courses

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.

  Vocational training component

The vocational training component of the CRP-IT program includes the following courses:

  • 1) Introduction to Networking Technology,
  • 2) CompTIA A+ (five classes – 120 contact hours),
  • 3) Introduction to Linux,
  • 4) Introduction to Routing Technology,
  • 5) Introduction to Switching Technology,
  • 6) Intermediate Routing, and
  • 7) Introduction to Network Security.

  • 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.


    The English Center
    7700 Edgewater Drive
    Suite 540
    Oakland, CA 94621
    Phone (510) 836-6700
    info@englishcenter.edu

    Copyright © 2017 The English Center