The Online Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Program

Online Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) is a program that focuses on learning English with a special emphasis on job related skills and vocabulary. The program is designed to help students with their day-to-day English language skills to improve their job prospects in the U.S. You can easily access the program from anywhere, anytime, making it an innovative way to enhance your language skills.

Accreditation & Certification

Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE)

  • Eligible for FAFSA support
Certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Program Overview

  • 60-week English program geared towards immigrants and refugees
  • Financial Aid available (Pell Grant and/or Loan)
  • Columbia College Presidential Scholarship available
  • Placement test and Exit-test from Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA test)
  • Rental tablets provided to students as a learning tool
  • High job placement rate upon the completion of the program
  • Job placement support throughout the program
  • Eight Levels
    • Beginners – 101/102
    • Intermediate – 201/202
    • Advanced – 301/302
    • High Advanced – 401/402

Canvas

Canvas is an online, self-study platform. The benefits of Canvas include:

  • Flexibility: Self-study online English programs allow learners to study at their own pace and convenience.
  • Accessibility: With just an internet connection, learners can access a wealth of resources from anywhere in the world.
  • Continuous learning: Online platforms enable learners to continuously practice and improve their English skills.
  • Variety of resources: Online platforms provide a wide range of materials, including videos, exercises, quizzes, and discussions.

Homeroom Class

The HR (homeroom) classes are two-hour zoom classes twice a week with a live instructor. The classes are available five days a week (Monday to Friday) throughout the entire day from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm EST. There are 8 levels from beginner to advanced. Students have 10 weeks to complete each level and then move up or repeat a level. Students can repeat a level two times, and the program is 60 weeks long in total. Homeroom Teachers will connect with students weekly via Zoom to:

  • Teach practical English skills
  • Encourage active participation
  • Maintain student motivation
  • Offer valuable feedback

Meet our Homeroom teachers by clicking here.

Course Description

Level Description
101 – Beginners I & 102 – Beginners II The elementary levels use modern methods to introduce students to oral and written forms of English. Students can practice speaking, listening, and writing.
201 – Intermediate I & 202 – Intermediate II The intermediate levels continue to give students more opportunities to improve their English abilities in speaking and listening. It also introduces students to the basic skills of academic reading and writing; for example, how to locate main ideas, skim, and find context clues. In addition, writing processes such as introduction, body and conclusion will be introduced.
301 – Advanced I & 302 – Advanced II The advanced levels strive to enhance students’ English abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will be exposed to common idioms, including oral and written forms, as well as academic research in reading and writing.

Students will have the opportunity to research and to write about a topic. At this level, they will learn how to find and cite sources for their research papers.
401 – High-Advanced I & 402 – High-Advanced II These levels introduce English listening and speaking skills required in academia and the workplace. The students will practice writing and discuss topics on different subjects. In reading and writing, students will be presented with various types of academic genres, and they willpractice reading skills, such as positioning key ideas, understanding charts and graphs, and adjusting speed accordingly.

Staff

Name Email
Jennifer Kim (director) jenniferK@ccdc.edu
Aye Phyoe ayep@ccdc.edu
Bruno Moraes brunom@ccdc.edu
Cohen Boren cohenb@ccdc.edu
Elmedina Dushaj elmedinad@ccdc.edu
Joseph Kim josephk@ccdc.edu
Tasa Kabulzad tarak@ccdc.edu
Wend Tsai wendt@ccdc.edu
Winny Alizadeh winnya@ccdc.edu

Instructors

Christina Sapp

Certificate: TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Degree: M.S. in Early Childhood Education, M.S. in Higher Education with major in Integrative Studies

I have been an educator for over twenty years. In my professional role I have taught all levels of students from elementary school through college. Currently I work with students at the secondary level as well as college level.

Daniel Hummel

Certificate: TEFL (American Teaching English as a Second Language)
Degree: B.A. International Relations,  MPA Public Management, Ph.D. Public Administration

I have been an educator for more than 19 years. After receiving my TEFL certificate from San Diego State University, I taught ESL for 3 years in Indonesia. After I returned to the United States, I continued to teach ESL part-time with different community colleges and private companies in-person and online. I have taught with Columbia College since August 2024.

Jessica Caplice

Certificate: 120-hour TEFL Certificate
Degree: M.A. in TESOL, B.A. in English Communications

I have been an English language instructor for adult learners since 2013. I have taught all levels of English to students of numerous backgrounds. I have taught in-person and online classes since 2020. I am currently teaching virtual vocational English lessons to help learners prepare for jobs and daily life in the United States.

Dr. Manohari (Mano) Rasagam

Certificate: TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Degree: Ph.D. and M.A. in English Literature, B.A. in Arts, Diploma in Language

Dr. Manohari Rasagam is a dedicated TESOL Instructor at Columbia College, bringing over 25 years of teaching experience in English as a Second Language (ESL) and English literature. Before joining Columbia College, Dr. Rasagam served as an ESL Instructor at Mentora College/Bay Atlantic University in Washington, D.C. Her teaching approach integrates communicative English teaching, task-based learning, content-based instruction, and communicative language teaching methodologies, ensuring an engaging and effective learning experience for students.

Shamima Nasreen

Certificate: TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Degree: M.A. in Professional Studies in Education.

Shamima is known for her approachable demeanor; she excels at making complex texts accessible and fostering a love for reading and critical thinking among his students.

Tracey Stinger

Certificate: TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Degree: B.A. in Mass Communications, A.S. in Social Sciences

A professional with over 15 years of teaching experience in the areas of English, Language Arts, and TESOL. I have an exceptional background in instructing meaningful and effective coursework that engages students and expedites learning. Also, I have extraordinary communication skills, specializing in diverse populations and individuals of all ages.

Tahera Khavari

Degree: M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Tahera specializes in teaching English as a second language, focusing on creating an inclusive environment that supports diverse learners.