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Cuesta College Community Programs
Online Courses

Languages

Basic Requirements:
Internet access, E-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.
See individual classes for additional requirements.

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Braille Transcription, Beginning
Prepare for a career as a Braille transcriber.  Learning to write, read the tactual language of the blind, the history of Braille, and different ways of producing the Braille English alphabet, Braille numbers, Braille punctuation, and more. You'll also learn about employment opportunities for Braille Transcribers.  
REQUIREMENTS: You will need to install and use Perky Duck software for Brailling on a standard computer keyboard. This software comes in Macintosh and Windows versions and can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.duxburysystems.com/freeware.asp

You will also need to download and install the SimBraille font on your computer. The file you need is free and located at: http://duxburysystems.com/downloads/duxbrlf.exe

You will also need Internet access, e-mail, and a Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser. Finally, you will need a keyboard that responds to simultaneous six-key input, in other words, a keyboard that has been manufactured to the original IBM PC specification. If you're talking to a computer tech, you will want to ask for an "IBM PC down/up encoded keyboard with n-key rollover."

Be aware that many newer computer keyboards are NOT suitable. To determine if your keyboard will work, start a new document in any word processing program. Then press the keys sdf jkl all at the same time. Note what appears on the screen. A properly configured keyboard will generate all six letters (sdfjkl) on the screen--but not necessarily in that order.

Each time you press all six keys at once, you should see all six of the letters you pressed on the screen. If this occurs, your keyboard will be perfectly acceptable for braille entry. If your keyboard generates only three or four letters instead of six, it will not work for Braille entry. Your instructor will be able to suggest affordable replacement keyboards that will meet your needs.

Instructor: Dixie Mahaffie;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL701L.208; Call 546-3132 to Register
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL801L.208; Call 546-3132 to Register
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL101L.308; Call 546-3132 to Register
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL201L.308; Call 546-3132 to Register
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL301L.308; Call 546-3132 to Register
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL401L.307; Call 546-3132 to Register
 

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Braille Transcription, Intermediate
Learn Literary Braille and prepare for the Library of Congress Braille Transcriber’s Certification exam. Explore the 63 contractions that make up Grade II Braille. These contractions are used to increase your efficiency with Braille by decreasing the amount of space required to produce words or parts of words. After you complete this course, you'll be comfortable with reading and brailling the complete Literary Braille Code. You'll also learn about employment opportunities for those who are proficient at producing Braille. REQUIREMENTS: Completion of the Beginning Braille Transcription online course, experience with software for brailling on a standard computer keyboard, Internet access, e-mail, and the Internet Explorer or Netscape or Firefox Web browser.

Instructor: Dixie Mahaffie;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL702L.208; Call 546-3132 to Register
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL802L.208; Call 546-3132 to Register
 

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French, Beginning Conversational
Discover how easy it can be to learn common words and phrases for both leisure and business. This course makes pronunciation simple, with phonetic spellings for every word and phrase you need to learn. The course even includes audio, so you’ll be able to hear and practice the language with little more than a click of your mouse! You'll also learn cultural tips in each lesson that will make you more comfortable in a foreign setting. After finishing this course, you'll be prepared to speak French in a wide variety of settings and situations. REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser, and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Amy Page;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL703L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL803L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL103L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL203L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL303L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL403L.307; Register Online
 

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Instant Italian
This dynamic course will teach you how to express yourself comfortably in Italian. You'll learn practical, everyday words and phrases that will make your stay in Italy more enjoyable. You'll read, hear, and practice dialogues based on typical situations that you're likely to encounter while staying in Italy. The dialogues and follow-up exercises of each lesson will teach you to communicate in Italian in a wide variety of settings. You'll be surprised by how quickly and easily you can learn many useful expressions in Italian! This course also makes it simple to master your pronunciation of Italian. Essential words and phrases are written phonetically by using sounds that are familiar to you from English words. The course audio feature lets you hear the words and phrases spoken aloud with just a click of your mouse. Short exercises are included with each lesson to help you reinforce what you've learned and gauge your progress, making it easy to pinpoint areas that you still need to review. The exercises also give you immediate feedback—you'll know whether you answered correctly as soon as you finish. By the end of the second lesson, you'll have learned about the Italian language's impact on the world, the Italian alphabet, phonetics, and pronunciation, proper forms of address, expressions of courtesy, and how to make introductions. When you reach your final lesson, you'll know how to ask for help, ask directions, navigate Italian shops, book a hotel room, order a meal, and much more! Cultural notes are included throughout the course to help you better understand Italians and their way of life. You'll also learn what various gestures mean to Italians, which ones to use, and those you should avoid. This course will convince you that learning a language is both fun and rewarding. You'll be pleased at how quickly this course helps you build your skills, and prepares you for your next adventure in Italia. REQUIREMENTS: The Windows Media Player (which comes included with most versions of Windows) or RealPlayer FREE, Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser.

Instructor: Robert Bertoldi;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL704L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL804L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL104L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL204L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL304L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL404L.307; Register Online
 

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Speed Spanish
Imagine yourself speaking, reading and writing Spanish. Now you can with Speed Spanish! This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn Spanish pronto. You'll learn six easy recipes for gluing Spanish words together to form sentences. In no time at all, you'll be able to go into any Spanish speaking situation and converse in Spanish. ¡Qué Bueno! REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser.

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL705L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL805L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL105L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL205L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL305L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL405L.307; Register Online
 

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Speed Spanish II
Have you ever seen a non-native speaking Spanish fluently? Were you impressed? Would you like to become more conversational and more comfortable in Spanish-speaking situations? Now you can. Our Speed Spanish courses are unlike any other Spanish classes you may have ever taken. You'll see words, hear them pronounced properly, and be granted plenty of opportunities to practice your pronunciation. Then, you'll learn several clever recipes that you can use to glue the words together into sentences. Enroll in Speed Spanish II, and you'll see an immediate improvement in your Spanish fluency from the very first lesson. REQUIREMENTS: Completion of Dan Mikel's Speed Spanish course, Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser, and a computer equipped with speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL706L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL806L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL106L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL206L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL306L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL406L.307; Register Online
 

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Speed Spanish III
Master your ability to speak, understand, and read Spanish by taking the final installment in our unique three-part Speed Spanish learning series. In this advanced-level course, you'll learn the final six recipes that will serve as templates to help you create any Spanish sentence you want. Guided practice will include lots of new vocabulary, pronunciation, and speed drills, as well as in-depth study of Spanish parts of speech to help you speak and understand Spanish in a snap. The goal of this course is not just learning the recipes—it’s also to help you use them spontaneously so that you’ll never be at a loss for words!
REQUIREMENTS: Completion of Dan Mikel's Speed Spanish  & Speed Spanish II online courses, Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL707L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL807L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL107L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL207L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL307L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL407L.307; Register Online
 

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Teaching ESL/EFL, Intro
Would you like to increase your effectiveness as an English language teacher? Would you like to go beyond the well-known methods that often leave teachers frustrated with their one-size-fits-all approach? This course will take you on a fascinating exploration of what it means to be a teacher, how to understand who your students are and the needs they have, and how to choose the most appropriate materials and activities for your classroom. You'll learn how you can choose and fine-tune the principles that exactly fit your teaching situation. During the next six weeks, we'll rethink the traditional native vs. non-native speaker distinction, see why teaching English is so different from teaching other subjects, and explore innovative approaches like Communicative Language Teaching and the lexical approach. You'll gain new insights and ideas for teaching vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You'll also discover what some of your options are in designing fair and accurate tests. And you'll learn how to keep learning and growing throughout your teaching career. When you successfully complete this course, you'll also receive a TESOL Certificate of Completion. So join us on this journey of becoming a more reflective and effective English language teacher! REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser.

Instructor: Dr. Tom Scovel;

Jul 16 - Aug 22;  Course# OL708L.208; Register Online
Aug 20 - Sep 26; Course# OL808L.208; Register Online
 

Sep 17 - Oct 24; Course #OL108L.308; Register Online
Oct 15 - Nov 21; Course #OL208L.308; Register Online
Nov 12 - Dec 19; Course# OL308L.308; Register Online
Dec 10 - Jan 16; Course# OL408L.307; Register Online
 

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