Harbor Location, Reisterstown Plaza Center
410-986-5430 or 410-580-2750
WDCE’s English Language Services and Basic Skills offers a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) curricula to meet the diverse language needs of both Maryland residents as well as international students. Services include: English Language Instruction for immigrants and international students seeking preparation for additional academic study; basic English language skills development for immigrants, refugees, and asylees; specialized programs for refugees and asylees; ESL sections of Adult Basic Education classes for GED® preparation; and citizenship preparation. In addition, English Language Services and Basic Skills also meets the needs of the business community in terms of providing English Language and basic skills development on a contractual basis. Integrated courses that combine both basic skills development and workforce training are also available. The ELS department also runs Refugee Youth Project (RYP), which provides out of school time programming to over 400 refugee and asylee youth in Baltimore City annually.
English Language Instruction
English Language Instruction (ELI) offers a comprehensive series of English courses for immigrants, international students, and others who want to get a college academic certificate or degree, develop their language skills for personal enrichment, or obtain a GED ®. New students take a placement test at the testing center at Liberty Campus to determine their appropriate level of study. Academic Track courses are in the core areas of grammar, reading, writing, listening, and presentation skills. Available from intermediate through advanced levels, these courses satisfy the requirement for entry into credit courses for students pursuing a college degree. Successful completion of the required 82-level courses qualifies a student for English 101. BCCC can issue I-20s to international students who qualify through its approved ESL Pathways Program.
Basic English Language Skills
WDCE’s Community ESL program provides basic English skills development and literacy services for the immigrant and refugee populations of Maryland. Sponsored by grants from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) as well as the Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees (MORA), these courses are offered free of charge to students who qualify. Interested students need to contact the ESL intake specialists at the Harbor location to schedule a testing and registration session to ensure they are placed at the appropriate level. Classes are offered throughout the year at both on-campus and off-campus community sites as well as in-person and virtually.
Refugee and Asylee Services
The ELS department offers numerous services to the Refugees and Asylees that are resettled in both Baltimore City and in Maryland. In addition to the Basic English Language Skills courses available throughout the year, ELSalso coordinates after school and summer programming for refugee youth in Baltimore City as part of the Refugee Youth Project. In addition, job training and employment skills are also taught as part of the Refugee Employment Training Program.
Citizenship Preparation
Citizenship Preparation provides the civics knowledge and English language skills necessary to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization interview. Classes are offered at BCCC sites and locations throughout the state of Maryland. Registration is ongoing and is open to all students with permanent residency for at least four years and nine months or marriage to a U.S. citizen for three years minimum.
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