Instructor Judy Bowman teaches an English as a Second Language (ESL) course recently in Lake Jackson.

BC Community Education now registering for free GED, ESL classes  

LAKE JACKSON – Brazosport College is making it even easier to take the first step toward personal enrichment or career advancement. And in many cases, it’s doing it for free.

Through Brazosport College’s Community Education program, students can take GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes with no tuition charge. Community Education also offers Citizenship classes for free. GED classes do require a GED textbook and calculator, which are $40.

Registration is ongoing through January, with classes starting in early February.

Adding more advantages for those enrolling in these classes, Brazosport College’s Lake Jackson Community Education location has moved to the B Wing of the college’s main campus on 500 College Dr. in Lake Jackson.

Being on the main campus, Community Education students now have easy access to all on-campus facilities. This includes tutoring services, computer labs, the BC library, mentoring, counseling and much more.

Returning ESL, GED and Citizenship students also will have access to the same professional instructors they knew at the Lake Jackson and Angleton centers.

“This is a very good, high-quality program,” said Community Education GED/ESL coordinator Kay Brooks. “All of our instructors are certified with the state of Texas and have experience in adult education.

“All of the same instructors and aides will be teaching the classes,” she added. “They will just be at the main campus instead of at the former Lake Jackson and Angleton locations.”

Additional ESL, GED and Citizenship classes will be available at the Freeport Community Education Center at 211 E. Park Ave. in Freeport.  Another GED class is taught at Columbia High School in West Columbia, while an extra ESL class is at Clute Intermediate School in Clute.

ESL classes are open to anyone 18 years of age or older, and many of the instructors speak multiple languages. The ESL courses have six levels of progression, beginning with no experience in the English language.

“Our students have told us so many success stories about how the ESL classes have helped them,” said Community Education ESL/Citizenship Coordinator Lisa Outterson. “They can now communicate with those around them - help their children with homework, make a doctor’s appointment and do other everyday tasks that many of us take for granted.

“One student was even excited because she could now send a text message,” she added with a laugh.

GED and ESL courses begin Feb. 6. GED students can register up until the first day of class, while ESL students have to the third class day to register. Both day and night courses are available. Citizenship classes begin Feb. 13.

For more information call (979) 230-3600 or (979) 230-3597. To register, come by the new Lake Jackson main campus location or the Freeport center.