Education

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ADULTEDUCATION&EMPLOYMENTPROGRAM–Allowsyoutoobtainamature Grade12Diploma-HighSchoolcreditsbySevenOaksSchoolDivisionofferedtwiceayear (Jan.-June&July-Dec.)&EmploymentPreparationorFurtheringEducation HEALTHCAREAIDE/HEALTHUNITCLERK,NURSINGASSISTANTPROGRAM–Dual CertifiedbyRedRiverCollege (August-June)Thiscourseisa"steppingstone"intohealthcarefield. (August-June)Thiscourseisa"steppingstone"intohealthcarefield. LIFESKILLSCOACH"TRAINTHETRAINERS"–LEVEL1&2– CertifiedbytheYWCAToronto Call589-4433formoreinformationOR cometo519SelkirkAvenue,Winnipeg Website:www.urbancircletraining.com URBANCIRCLETRAININGCENTREINC. ProfessionalCareerTrainingOpportunity "ALearningCentrethatMakesaDifference" "ALearningCentrethatMakesaDifference" By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press I f you're looking for a new way to challenge your brain this fall, consider learning Spanish. The Spanish Institute offers classes in several different levels of difficulty, and both private and group classes are available. "Our students have a sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment once they've finished a class. They're exposed to a different worldview. I always say 'Words open worlds,'" said Director Jesús Miguel-García, who started the Institute ten years ago. Miguel-García has over 25 years of teaching experience. He was a languages manager at the Open University in the U.K. He taught for over 20 years at Newcastle University, Sunderland University, Northumbria University, and various Canadian universities. He graduated with first-class honours in Education, finishing first in his university. Miguel-García went on to study linguistics and literature at Valladolid University in Spain. After being awarded the prestigious Erasmus scholarship from the European Union, he continued his studies at Newcastle University. He has a Master's degree in Teaching and a Master's in Knowledge and Information Society. He then went on to complete his PhD in Knowledge Management. "It takes time to learn a language. It's like learning to play an instrument," he said. "Spanish is a fairly easy language to speak, but learning any new language is a complex skill that takes time." Group classes are offered during the week in the evenings. Most students will be in class for two hours each week for a period of 13 weeks. Additional resources are available online once a student has registered. "The information we provide on our website allows our students to work from home," said Miguel-García. "Some of the homework we assign is geared to the practical interests of the students. It allows them to put what they're learning into context. Everything we teach is meaningful." The Institute's group classes are limited to four students to ensure plenty of time for individualized instruction. Beginner classes are the most popular, and although several of them are offered at different time slots, they fill up quickly, Miguel- García said. "Our students feel like it's a private class. They all have lots of chances to practise. We guarantee personalized instruction," he said. "Our emphasis is on communication, and we focus on real- life situations. We put any grammatical issues into context." Private classes allow students to customize the course material to suit their needs. "Another advantage of private classes is the timetable of the students can be met. They can come to class whenever it suits them," said Miguel-García. "Private classes work very well for professionals and people who have family commitments. They can work on specific vocabulary or projects." Classes are available in beginner, elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. It takes 400 hours of study to move from one level to another. "We've had the same students coming to our classes for years as they work their way up through the levels," Miguel-García said. "Graduates of our beginner program have just enough vocabulary to make themselves understood. It's enough to get by." All students will learn listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, with a special emphasis on speaking. "Learning another language is good for your brain. It's a very rewarding experience," said Miguel-García. "The vast majority of our students learn Spanish because they're interested in the culture and language. Most of our students either travel in or own property in a Spanish-speaking country." Some of the Institute's students also work with colleagues in Spanish-speaking countries. "Some students are here for professional development. They want to learn Spanish so they can work more effectively with colleagues in Spanish-speaking countries," Miguel- García said. Since there are 21 Spanish-speaking countries in the world, Spanish is a very practical language to learn, said Miguel García. "There are colloquial differences between countries, but you'll learn to speak Spanish that everybody will be able to understand," he added. "We also provide our students with examples and patterns of the language they'll be exposed to, depending on the country." Classes at the Institute start in September for all levels. Textbooks and other materials are provided in each classroom. These materials are included as part of each student's fees. For more information or to register, please visit their website at www.spanishinstitute.ca or call 204-832-9853. "Our classes are very popular and tend to fill up quickly, so it's best to register as soon as you can," Miguel-García said. ■ Jesús Miguel-García from the Spanish Institute. Photo by Darcy Finley Words open up neW Worlds By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press T he biggest challenge posed by St. James-Assiniboia Continuing Education is which workshop to take first. The school division offers a wide variety of courses for learners of all ages, and new programs are being added all the time. "We have lots of exciting, new, and very unique courses. We encourage everyone to come out, have fun, and meet new people. Taking continuing education courses is a great way to meet people," said Wanda Taylor, Assistant Director. "We have a great variety of courses. There's something for everyone." One of their newest fitness classes is People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE). "PACE was specially designed for individuals suffering from arthritis. It's the safest way to exercise without putting stress on the joints or injuring yourself," Taylor said. "Often people who have arthritis are in a lot of pain and are afraid of injuring themselves. This is a really good way to stay in shape and go out and get some exercise. You have to be specially certified in order to teach this course." At the other end of the intensity spectrum is Beginner Street learninG options abound at st. James-assiniboia CONTINUEd ON PAGE 5 »

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