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Cuesta College Community Programs
(Bldg 4700, San Luis Obispo Cuesta College Campus on Hwy 1)
PO Box 8106, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
Phone: (805) 546-3132; Fax: (805) 546-3107

Ed2Go Online Courses

Languages

Cuesta Community Programs has online classes that help you update skills, discover new talents or map out a new profession...all at your fingertips in the comfort and convenience of your own home, office or while traveling. Classes begin at $94 and offer a wide range of topics that begin every month, run for six weeks for approximately 24 hours of instruction. Our instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive environments while facilitating their courses with interactive quizzes, assignments and tutorials. Students are able to read class information and ask their instructor questions at times most convenient to them...
24 hours a day/7 days a week. Our online classes are not-for-credit but do have "Letters of Completion" available upon request.

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

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Beginning Braille Transcription
Begin your path toward a rewarding career as a Braille transcriber by learning to write and read the tactual language of the blind. You'll learn the history of Braille, and different ways of producing the Braille English alphabet, Braille numbers, Braille punctuation, and more. This course will prepare you well for participating in the vigorous and challenging Braille transcribing course offered by the Library of Congress. 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

Please be advised that Duxbury Systems, Inc. does not provide support for Macintosh users installing the Perky Duck software. 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 and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox 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.

Instructor: Dixie Mahaffie;

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Beginning Conversational French
This course will teach you how to communicate easily and comfortably with those who speak French. You’ll learn practical, common phrases that will make your trip to the many French-speaking regions of the world more pleasant. You'll learn dialogue specific to various settings, and you'll be surprised how easy it can be to speak another language! Each lesson introduces a scenario, presented in short dialogues. You'll be able to practice and learn both sides of the conversation, so you'll easily understand and expect common responses. Every lesson also has cultural tips, which will make you more comfortable in a foreign setting. Since proper pronunciation is important to good communication, this course will help you master the best pronunciations. Simply click on each word to hear it spoken! Every word and sentence is also written out phonetically using sounds that you are already very familiar with from English words. This course has been carefully crafted to ensure you will have no trouble pronouncing French words correctly. The first three lessons give you an introduction to the basics you'll need for most conversations, such as "please" and "thank you." You'll also learn numbers, days of the week, months of the year, and telling time. After the introduction and basic conversation lessons, you'll learn what to say at the airport. Then, you'll need to get to your hotel, so the next lesson teaches you about transportation. The following lesson will show you how to talk to hotel employees. After you're settled into your hotel, you'll probably be hungry, so next you'll learn about restaurants. The entire course is structured in this logical, systematic method. Since each lesson presents its own setting, you will want to print your lessons and take them with you on your trip for quick reference.
Each lesson also includes cultural tips. Hand and body gestures mean different things in different cultures. For example, do you know the proper way to point to avoid offending people? This course will tell you. That tip and the many others that you will learn will help you better blend in and avoid misunderstandings when you travel. This course makes learning French fun and surprisingly easy. You'll be pleased with your quick progress, and you'll be prepared for your next trip! REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Instructor: Amy Page;

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Conversational Japanese
Whether you want to learn conversational Japanese for travel or just for fun, you'll find this course makes it easy and enjoyable for beginners to master the essentials of the Japanese language. Guided by a native Japanese instructor, you'll also gain cultural knowledge only an insider has. In each lesson, you'll learn useful conversational phrases and vocabulary words particular to a specific area of travel. You'll practice these in drills, interactive exercises, and dialogues. Throughout the course, you'll find helpful audio aids and Japanese words written in the English alphabet. With this, you'll be bypassing one of the biggest obstacles for most beginners of Japanese: the letter system. Along the way, we'll follow the story of two Americans traveling in Japan. Together, we'll be on our way to many adventures in exciting Tokyo and the scenic Japanese countryside. By the end of this course, you'll have acquired basic conversational skills that enable you to travel around the country easily, and you'll have discovered the heart of Japan!
REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Instructor: Ririko Hayashi;

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Grammar for ESL
This 6-week online course includes in-depth analysis of English grammar for intermediate to advanced English as Second Language college students. Structure of Standard English is explored in order to prepare the learner for regular mainstream English classes. Topics include a review of all tenses, the use of modals, the adjective clause, the noun clause, the adverb clause, phrases, count and non-count nouns and some English terms. The course is designed to provide students ample opportunities to apply their knowledge to their particular areas of study throughout college and beyond. As one of the required courses in most college ESL programs to transfer to mainstream English or to transfer to a university, this course establishes a foundation for continuous learning and serves as a complement to other courses the student may be taking or will take. REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser. This course is designed for intermediate to advanced level ESL students. A basic understanding of English grammar is required.

Instructor: Sabri Bebawi;

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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, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Instructor: Robert Bertoldi;

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Spanish for Law Enforcement Professionals
With more and more Spanish-speaking people living in the United States every year, learning the Spanish language is becoming ever more important—especially in the field of law enforcement, where clear and quick communication is crucial. Mastering basic Spanish will give you more power to handle situations involving Spanish-speaking victims, witnesses, or criminals. It’s a smart career move as well, because adding Spanish skills to your résumé can open the door to new job opportunities. Whether you’re new to the Spanish language or just want a refresher, this course will teach you the basic Spanish phrases you need for everything from making casual conversation to handling life-or-death situations. You’ll start with simple vocabulary for everyday topics including colors, numbers, conversational phrases, family names, and words for asking questions. Next, you’ll learn Spanish terminology you can use during arrests, traffic stops, medical emergencies, and many other common law enforcement situations.  In this course, you’ll focus specifically on Spanish for law enforcement personnel, skipping the “touristy” phrases you don’t need to know. And to make your learning easy and painless, the course is sprinkled with fun games and stories. So if you’re having flashbacks to your boring high school Spanish class, don’t worry—you can learn Spanish and have fun at the same time. By the end of this course, you’ll be well on your way to being a Spanish speaker and communicating more effectively with the Spanish speakers all around you. REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Tara Bradley Williams;

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Spanish for Medical Professionals
Are you struggling to communicate with your Spanish-speaking patients?  If so, here’s the perfect solution. Whether you’re new to the Spanish language or just want a refresher, this fun and simple course will give you the basic tools you need to bridge the communication gap. With increasing numbers of Spanish-speaking patients entering the healthcare system every year, it’s more crucial than ever for health professionals to learn medical Spanish. What’s more, adding Spanish skills to your résumé can broaden your career horizons. But you’re a busy person, and you don’t have time to waste—so this course skips the “touristy” topics and focuses on the survival Spanish you really need to know in a medical setting. Starting with the basics of Spanish pronunciation, you'll move right into simple words for everyday topics including colors, numbers, conversational phrases, family names, and words for asking questions. Next, you’ll get to the meat of the course as you discover how to ask about pain, symptoms, medical histories, insurance, and patients’ feelings. You’ll also learn how to talk about body parts, diets, and medical care and treatment. Along the way, entertaining games and stories will help you practice your new vocabulary as you gain awareness about Latin American culture. By the end of this course, you’ll have a strong foundation in basic medical Spanish that you can build on for years to come. ¡Vamos! (Let's go!) REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Tara Bradley Williams;

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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, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

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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, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

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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 and Speed Spanish II online courses, Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Instructor: Dan Mikels;

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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, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Instructor: Dr. Tom Scovel;

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Contact Karen Linn with your questions/comments/suggestions