Communication & English as a Second Language
Learn a new language or discover the power of writing to tell your personal story with our communication courses.
How to Register
- Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to checkout.
- The “Seats Left” information is updated every half hour and when you checkout.
- Other registration options are available.
Don’t see the course you are looking for below? Sign up to get updates and news about upcoming classes.
Courses
- 10 Practical Tips to Writing Powerful Dialogue
- A to Z Grant Writing
- American Sign Language
- Beginning Conversational French
- Conversational Japanese
- Creative Writing 101
- English as a Second Language
- Getting Paid to Talk
- Instant Italian
- Introduction to Journaling: A Beginner's Guide
- No Excuses! Writing & Selling Your Book
- Spanish for Law Enforcement
- Speed Spanish
- Writing Short Stories
10 Practical Tips to Writing Powerful Dialogue
Writing believable, relatable dialogue is an art form, but fortunately there are some tried and tested methods and techniques you can use right now to improve the dialogue in your novel or script. In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn how to turn ordinary words into compelling dialogue, use clean dialogue tags, differentiate character voices, use dialogue instead of narrative/voiceover, avoid dialogue “dumps,” and be real, but not boring. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class. Students that need to withdraw from the class must do so five business days prior to the start of class for a refund. This course is taught remotely via Zoom.
LeeAnne Krusemark, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 3/7 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm |
ZCOM-102 600 | 20 seats left | $29 |
A to Z Grant Writing
Do you love writing and building rewarding, long-lasting relationships? Do you have a passion for a cause? As a grant writer, you can help nonprofit organizations, schools, religious institutions, and research organizations acquire the funds they need to operate and to thrive. In this class, you’ll learn how to put together a gold medal proposal package – one that will capture the attention, and the funds, of donors. This informative course will equip you with the skills and tools you need to enter this exciting and fulfilling field. No matter who you are or what level of experience you have, you can be a successful grant writer. You’ll find the A to Z of writing and submitting successful proposals right here. This is one of the best online grant writing courses around, whether you’re already involved in a related position or are looking to take your first step into this rewarding career. This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 - 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-111 600 | 15 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-111 601 | 15 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-111 602 | 15 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-111 503 | 14 seats left | $125 |
American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most used language in the United States today. This course is designed for students who are interested in learning about the Deaf community and developing ASL expressive and receptive skills. The course will provide an introduction to ASL and Deaf culture. You will learn practical and common language so you can have a brief conversation with someone from the Deaf community. Learning will include a combination of lecture, practice exercises, video, and class discussion.
Course will be held in Administration Building, Room 107
Shannon Johnson, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays, 2/18 - 5/6 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZCOM-067 600 | 14 seats left | $84 | Opens 1/22 |
Beginning Conversational French
This course will teach you how to communicate easily and comfortably with those who speak French. You will learn practical, common phrases that will make your trips to the many French-speaking regions of the world more pleasant. You will learn dialogue specific to various settings, and you will be surprised how easy it can be to speak another language. This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 – 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-062 600 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-062 601 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-062 602 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-062 503 | 15 seats left | $115 |
Conversational Japanese
Whether you want to learn conversational Japanese for travel or just for fun, 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. This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 – 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-060 600 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-060 601 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-060 602 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-060 503 | 15 seats left | $115 |
Creative Writing 101
You don’t need a degree in creative writing to be an exceptional writer and get paid for it! Anyone with a passion for writing can learn and develop their fiction and non-fiction writing skills. Whether you’re writing from your own life experience, creating new worlds, or informing readers about important information, this class will teach you about the different forms of creative writing, the top 10 creative writing tips for beginners, as well as how to brainstorm for new creative writing ideas, bring your words to life with engaging descriptions, develop your own writing style, and how to get paid for your creative writing. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class. Students that need to withdraw from the class must do so five business days prior to the start of class for a refund. This course is taught remotely via Zoom.
LeeAnne Krusemark, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 3/6 5:00 pm - 6:55 pm |
ZCOM-100 600 | 20 seats left | $39 |
English as a Second Language
ESL - Level I
This course is designed for beginning-level English language learners. Little prior knowledge of English is needed. Students will be introduced to the basic American English grammar and writing strategies needed to produce simple sentences, short paragraphs, and informal letters. Students will be introduced to reading strategies and apply them to basic or simplified English texts.
ZESL 020 600 Cost $25
25 Sessions, Hybrid Course
Tues. and Thurs. 2/11 - 5/15, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m. No class 3/18, 3/20 & 5/13
Classes will meet on campus, ADM 101, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24 & 5/13
Irene Cruz, Instructor
Required textbook for hybrid course only: “English the American Way: A Fun Guide to English Language 2nd Edition” ISBN: 0738606766. Students will need to pay for their books.ZESL 020 601 Cost $25
25 Sessions, Remote Course
Mon. and Weds. 2/10 - 5/19, 6 - 8 p.m. No class 3/5, 3/17, 3/19 & 4/21
Susan Gorga, Instructor
Required textbooks for remote course only: “Ventures 3E Level 1” Cambridge ISBN: 9781108920513. Students will need to pay for their book.
ESL - Level II
This course is designed for high-beginning/low-intermediate-level English language learners. Some knowledge of English is required. Students will be introduced to high-beginning/low-intermediate-level grammar and writing strategies. Paragraph organization, formal letter writing and business writing will also be addressed.
ZESL 021 600 Cost $25
25 Sessions, Remote Course
Tues. and Thurs. 2/11 - 5/15, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. No class 3/18, 3/20 & 4/22
Shauna Anderson, Instructor
Required textbook for this section only, “A Long Walk to Water” ISBN 978-0547577319. Students will need to pay for their own book.ZESL 021 601 Cost $25
25 Sessions, Remote Course
Mon. and Weds. 2/10 - 5/19, 1 -3 p.m. No class 3/5, 3/17, 3/19 & 4/21
Michelle Soule, Instructor
Instructor will give information regarding the textbook on the first day of class. Students will need to pay for their own book.
ESL - Level III
This course focuses on all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will learn reading strategies to improve their comprehension of English texts and practice several writing patterns. Activities related to the same content will improve students’ listening comprehension and speaking fluency.
ZESL 022 600 Cost $25
25 Sessions, Remote Course
Tues. and Thurs. 2/11 - 5/15, 1:45 - 3:45 p.m. No class 3/18, 3/20 & 4/22
Shauna Anderson, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZESL-017 600 | 58 seats left | $0 |
Getting Paid to Talk
Have you ever been told you have a great voice? From audio books and cartoons to documentaries, commercials and more, this class will introduce you to the growing field of voice-over. Learn how to prepare and where to find work in your area. We’ll discuss industry pros and cons and play samples from working voice professionals. In addition, you’ll have an opportunity to record a short professional script under the direction of our teacher. For more information, please visit https://voicecoaches.com.
Course will be held in DCC, Room B05
Creative Voice Development, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 5/14 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
ZCOM-010 600 | 20 seats left | $25 | Opens 1/22 |
Instant Italian
This dynamic course will teach you how to express yourself comfortably in Italian. You’ll learn practical, everyday words. You’ll read, hear and practice dialogues based on typical situations that you’re likely to encounter if you plan to vacation 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 is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 – 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-061 600 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-061 601 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-061 602 | 15 seats left | $115 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-061 503 | 15 seats left | $115 |
Introduction to Journaling: A Beginner's Guide
Journaling is simply recording your thoughts, feelings, and insights in a written, drawn, or typed format. It can be done on paper or on a computer, and it's a low-cost way to improve your mental health. Journaling can help you reduce stress and improve your self-awareness, as well as prioritize problems, fears, and concerns, and provide an opportunity for positive self-talk. You’ll learn how to start journaling (even when you don’t know what to write), the 10 most popular types of journaling, how to kick-start self-reflection and self-discovery, and how to track your progress and personal growth. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class. Students that need to withdraw from the class must do so five business days prior to the start of class for a refund. This course is taught remotely via Zoom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 3/7 5:00 pm - 6:55 pm |
ZCOM-103 600 | 20 seats left | $39 |
No Excuses! Writing & Selling Your Book
Do you dream of being a published author? If so, learn the step-by-step process of transforming an idea into a published book from a publishing pro who has helped dozens of students become authors. Discover how to start and write your book, how to offer your book to agents and publishers, and how to guide your book to publishing success. One-on-one coaching with the instructor about your book project after the course eliminates any excuses preventing you from realizing your publishing dreams. Course includes a $15 materials fee.
Remote Course
Pauline Bartel, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 3/29 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
ZCOM-019 600 | 15 seats left | $65 | Opens 1/22 |
Spanish for Law Enforcement
With more and more Spanish-speaking people living in the United States every year, learning the Spanish language is becoming ever more important. In the law enforcement field, mastering basic Spanish will give you more skill to handle situations involving Spanish-speaking individuals. Adding Spanish skills to your resume can also open doors to new job opportunities. This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 – 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-070 600 | 15 seats left | $129 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-070 601 | 15 seats left | $129 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-070 602 | 15 seats left | $129 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-070 503 | 15 seats left | $129 |
Speed Spanish
Imagine yourself speaking, reading and writing Spanish. Now you can! 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! This course is taught online through our partnership with Ed2go. To log into your online classroom, please visit www.ed2go.com/hvcc and select My Classroom. Please note, it may take 24 – 48 hours before your registered course appears in My Classroom.
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online, 2/12 - 4/4 | ZILC-063 600 | 14 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 3/12 - 5/2 | ZILC-063 601 | 15 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 4/16 - 6/6 | ZILC-063 602 | 15 seats left | $125 | |
| Online, 12/18 - 2/7 | ZILC-063 503 | 15 seats left | $125 |
Writing Short Stories
Writing short stories (1,000–30,000 words) helps you discover your writing voice and how to convey your ideas. You’ll learn how to bring your story to life with an engaging plot, as well as character development, action, and dialogue. You’ll also learn the technical parts of crafting a short story, including structure, important character moments, and progression in the story. You’ll also know what to do with your short story once completed, including editing, proofing, and publishing options. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class. Students that need to withdraw from the class must do so five business days prior to the start of class for a refund. This course is taught remotely via Zoom.
LeeAnne Krusemark, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 3/6 7:00 pm - 8:55 pm |
ZCOM-101 600 | 20 seats left | $39 |
Get in Touch
Division of Workforce Development and Community Education
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding college holidays and vacations)