Manual for English Language Learners

MANUAL

FOR ENGLISH

LANGUAGE LEARNERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS What is Transitional Learning?

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Types of Classes

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Our Enrollment Process

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STEP 1: Complete your application

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STEP 2: Schedule your CASAS assessment

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STEP 3: Activate your student number (ctcLink)

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STEP 4: Complete your vaccine attestation

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STEP 5: Take your CASAS assessment

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STEP 6: Meet with an advisor

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STEP 7: Register for classes

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STEP 8: Activate your student account (MyWCC)

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STEP 9: Pay for your classes

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STEP 10: Get your Orca Card

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STEP 11: Get ready for your classes

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STEP 12: Learn more about other resources

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ELL/ABE Pathways

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Bibliography

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What is Transitional Learning?

Many years ago, the Basic Skills program changed its name to Transitional Learning Programs. Many colleges changed to similar names such as Transitional Studies or Transition Programs. The idea was to remove the word Basic and use Transition as a way to portray that the goal was to help students move into college level programs.

At the state level, Transitional Learning falls under a separate part of SBCTC called Basic Education for Adults (BEdA), which teach reading, writing, math, technology and English language skills to help adults to move through college and get high-demand jobs. These programs are designed for adults with academic skills below high school completion or who need to improve their English language skills.

The goal is to advance students quickly and purposefully toward degrees and certificates. Some students can get their GED, graduate from college and start careers.

These programs offer adults the opportunity to be better students, employees, parents and citizens.

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Types of Classes English Language Learners (ELL)

WCC offers classes to adults in Whatcom County who want to improve skills in listening, speaking, reading, and/or writing.

Classes are available fall, winter and spring only. ELL classes are for all immigrants, refugees, undocumented and US citizens wanting to learn English.

GED & College Preparation (ABE)

WCC offers classes for basic reading, writing and math brush-up for the GED test and for college preparation.

High School Completion (HSC+)

WCC offers classes to adults in Whatcom County who want to improve skills in listening, speaking, reading, and/or writing.

Classes are available fall, winter and spring only.

This manual is focused on the ELL enrollment process.

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Our Enrollment Process

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STEP 1

Complete your application The ELL application includes some biographical information, a WABERS form and a short test. You have two options to complete your application:

Go to Orca Central:

If you want to fill a paper application, please go to the front desk at Orca Central, located in Heiner Center on 231 West Kellogg Rd. This is the old library building. Their open hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. If you have any questions, please call (360) 383-3080.

Go online:

To fill an online application, just go to shorturl.at/cBNX8.

Your application will be processed in the next 2-3 days.

You will get an email with your ctcLink number and a link to create your student email account (MyWCC).

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STEP 2

Schedule your CASAS assessment After filling out your application, go to Orca Central and ask the staff to schedule your CASAS assessment. This test will help faculty and staff to determine which English level is the best fit for you. You will take this test on a computer in the Testing Center, located in the Learning Commons Room 370. We have morning and evening options.

The staff at Orca Central will give you a card with the date, time, and location of the CASAS assessment.

The card should look like this:

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STEP 3

Activate your student number (ctcLink)

Your student number is called ctcLink, which is a unique number for students of the 34 community and technical colleges in Washington state.

Once your application is processed, you will be assigned a ctcLink 9-digit number starting with 2. You will need that number when you take your CASAS assessment.

Your ctcLink number should look like this:

212564783

You must activate your account on a laptop or desktop computer. Best browser compatibility is Chrome. Ensure that pop-up blockers are disabled in your browser.

If you experience any issues with sign on credentials, usernames, passwords or student ID numbers, please contact: • Staff & Faculty - Help Desk ctclinkhelp@whatcom.edu 360.383.3393.

• Students – Student Help Desk studenthelpdesk@whatcom.edu or 360.383.3410.

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STEP 3

Activate your student number (ctcLink) To activate your ctcLink, follow the next steps:

1

Navigate to the ctcLink sign in page https://gateway.ctclink.us

2

Select the Activate your Account link

3

Select the OK button when the redirection pop up message displays.

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STEP 3

Activate your student number (ctcLink) 4

The Activate Your Account Page displays:

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Enter your First Name and Last Name. Please make sure you have entered your name correctly.

(If your legal name is a single name—such as Pran, Madonna or Nani—you must enter a hyphen (-) in the First Name field and enter your single name in the Last Name field.)

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Enter your Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) as shown or use the calendar icon.

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Enter either your SID or ctcLink ID.

From the drop-down menu select: • SID (old) if you are a current or returning student or employee • ctcLink ID (new) if you are a new student or employee

Select the Submit button.

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STEP 3

Activate your student number (ctcLink) 10 The Set Your Password page displays:

11 Enter your preferred Email Address.

12 Select the Security Question from the dropdown menu. (must be at least 5 letters, no spaces, and no special characters).

13 Provide the Answer to your security questions.

14 Additional Account Recovery options

a. Enter Phone Number for text (SMS) option. b. Enter Phone Number for voice option.

15 Create your Password. (At least 8 characters, including at least one uppercase letter, one

lowercase letter and one number. Special characters may be used but are not required.)

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STEP 3

Activate your student number (ctcLink) 16

Confirm your Password.

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Select the Submit button.

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The account activation success page will appear with a pop-up message.

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Make note of your ctcLink ID (EMPLID) and Password.

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Select the OK button.

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Congratulations! You have sucessfully activated your ctcLink account.

NOTE: After successfully activating account, please close your browser before attempting to log in to ctcLink.

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Close browser tab.

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STEP 4

Complete your vaccine attestation 1 2 3

Go to https://gateway.ctclink.us

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Once you are logged in, select your homepage from the menu in ctcLink.

Enter your ctcLink ID, then click next.

Enter your ctcLink password and click Verify.

• If you forgot your password, click on “Password Help” and follow instructions provided.

Select the Immunization Attestation tile (see below).

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STEP 4

Complete your vaccine attestation 6

On the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation page, activate the drop-down list and select an Immunization.

• Enter the desired information into the Date Taken field. You will enter the date that you received this immunization--it cannot be a future date.

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To add additional immunizations, select the [+] plus icon in the Immunizations section.

Select the [-] minus icon to delete an Immunization row.

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Answer the Self Attestation section statement by clicking on the slider to display, “Yes I Agree.” This means that all the information you put here on this page is true.

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STEP 4

Complete your vaccine attestation 9

Answer the Disciplinary Action section statement by clicking on the slider to display, “Yes I Agree.” This means that you understand that if you lied about your immunization status, about getting the vaccine, there will be consequences.

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Click the Submit button. Note: Selecting Submit automatically saves the information; no further action is required.

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You should see the message below, indicating you are finished.

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STEP 5

Take your CASAS assessment Go to the Testing Center, located in Room 370 on the third floor of the Learning Commons, to take your CASAS assessment.

You need to show the card you got when you scheduled your test. You will take this reading test on a computer and will get a sheet with your results once you complete the test.

This exploratory test can take up to two hours and will help faculty and staff to decide what the best level is.

Photo courtesy by Pixabay

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STEP 6

Meet with an advisor After completing your test and receiving a printed sheet with your results, you will meet with an advisor who will ask some questions to evaluate your listening and speaking skills.

The advisor will use the written test you completed as part of your application, the results from the CASAS assessment and your answers to the to determine what class you should take.

Photo courtesy by Pixabay

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STEP 7

Register for classes There are three types of classes:

• In-person

In this type of class, students meet only in person and there are not online assignments.

• Hybrid

These classes meet in person three times a week. Students must work online the other two days of the weeks. Most ELL classes are hybrid. There are morning and evening classes.

• Online

Students who are in higher levels (5th and 6th) can take online writing classes.

Your results will be sent to the Registration office to get you enrolled in classes. Remember that you will need to activate your ctcLink and complete your vaccine attestation before enrolling in in-person classes.

Note: You don’t need to complete the vaccine attestation if you are only taking only online classes.

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STEP 8

Activate your MyWCC account After your application is processed, you will get an email from the Student Helpdesk with the subject Welcome to Whatcom - Let’s create your WCC student network account!

The email looks like this:

Go to the section Activate your student network account and click on number 2.

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STEP 8

Activate your MyWCC account

You will be directed to a webpage where you should choose and confirm your password.

Your MyWCC account will be created using your first initial, your last name and the last four digits of your ctcLink.

For instance, if your name is John Smith and your ctcLink is 212564783, your account would be:

JSmith4783@student.whatcom.edu You will need your MyWCC for: • Checking your student email.

• Logging in in any on-campus computer or lab.

• Connecting to the Wi-Fi.

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STEP 9

Pay for your classes ELL classes are only $25. You can take up to 15 credits for that amount.

You can pay for your classes:

• In-person

Go to the cashier window in Laidlaw building with your ctcLink number and pay with card, check or cash.

• Online 1

Open a browser and go to WCC homepage (Whatcom.edu). Then, click on Student Portal.

2

Click on the ctcLink logo and log in.

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STEP 9

Pay for your classes 3

Click on Financials on the left-hand menu.

4

Click on What I Owe.

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STEP 9

Pay for your classes 5

The amount of tuition will be listed.

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Click on Make a Payment button.

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Enter your personal and payment information. After confirming your payment, you will see the message You have no outstanding charges.

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STEP 10

Get your Orca Card

About 24 hours after being registered for classes, you can get your Orca Card in Student Life, located on Syre second floor from Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. You will need to show a photo ID and your ctcLink. They will take your picture and you will get your card in less than 15 minutes. Your Orca Card will include your ctcLink ID number on the back.

You can use your Orca Card for: • Taking the WTA buses for free.

• Going to the Student Recreation Center (gym).

• Checking out books and other material in the library.

• Getting student discounts.

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STEP 11

Get ready for your classes There are three platforms you need to be familiar with:

• Student portal

In the student portal you can search classes, keep track of your finances, transcripts, apply for graduation, change your personal information, etc.

• Canvas

This is the application used by ELL instructors to post their classes. You can download the mobile app to keep track of your assignments. You can add different notifications to know when more content is added, when your assignments are graded, etc. You will use your ctcLink ID to login.

The first time you open Canvas you will need to check a box before being directed to the application. Your class must take 24 hours before showing on Canvas.

• MyWCC

MyWCC is your student email. Instructors will use it to communicate with you, so be sure you are checking your account constantly. This email works like any other email accounts.

You can access these three platforms through Whatcom website.

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STEP 12

Learn more about other resources There are some resources that can be helpful for ELL students:

• Writing Center

In the Writing Center you can work with a tutor who can help you with your English-related questions. The Writing Center, located in the Learning Commons first floor is open Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Sunday 5:00 PM-8:00 PM.

• Tutoring

If you want to work with a tutor to improve your English, you can visit the Learning Commons third floor and ask for a tutor. You can get a tutor who would work with you for up to two hours every week.

• Library

Did you know that the library has a special section for ELL students? Ask one of the librarians in the Learning Commons second floor and they will take you to the area where you could find books and other material for students from different levels. You can also get your textbooks from the library, but you won’t be able to write on them.

If you want to write on your textbooks, you can order them on Amazon. If you have questions, ask your instructor.

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ELL/ABE Pathways

Once you complete your ELL classes, you can choose different pathways to move to college-level classes and complete a degree. For instance, you can study ELL, move to ABE and then to English 101.

If you have any questions, talk to an instructor and/or an advisor.

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Bibliography Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. “Basic Education for Adults.” https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/ programs-services/basic-education-for-adults/default.aspx, 30 Nov. 2020. Accessed May 2022.

Whatcom Community College. “About Transitional Learning.” https:// www.whatcom.edu/academics/pre-college-adult-education-ged/abouttransitional-learning. Accessed May 2022.

Whatcom Community College. “Activate your ctcLink.” Accessed May 2022.

Whatcom Community College. “Complete your vaccine attestation.”

Accessed May 2022.

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