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
- American Sign Language
- Beginning Conversational French
- Conversational Japanese
- English as a Second Language
- Explore the World as a Travel Writer
- Getting Paid to Talk
- How to Write Your Life Story
- Instant Italian
- Introduction to Journaling: A Beginner's Guide
- No Excuses! Writing & Selling Your Book
- Spanish for Law Enforcement
- Speed Spanish
- Write Your First Novel (in 90 Days!)
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, 9/16 - 11/18 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm |
ZCOM-067 500 | 14 seats left | $94 | Opens 8/27 |
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, 10/15 - 12/5 | ZILC-062 500 | 15 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 11/12 - 1/2 | ZILC-062 501 | 15 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 12/17 - 2/6 | ZILC-062 502 | 15 seats left | $130 |
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, 10/15 - 12/5 | ZILC-060 500 | 15 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 11/12 - 1/2 | ZILC-060 501 | 15 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 12/17 - 2/6 | ZILC-060 502 | 15 seats left | $130 |
English as a Second Language
ESL - Level I
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. Students will learn how to converse on a variety of topics in English. Pronunciation and intonation will also be addressed. Students will need to pay for their own book.
HYBRID COURSE
ZESL 020 500 $25
26 Sessions, Hybrid Course
Tues. and Thurs. 9/16 - 12/16, 6:15 - 8:15 p.m. No class 11/27
Classes will meet on campus, ADM 101, 10/2, 10/23, 11/6 & 12/11
Irene Cruz, Instructor
REMOTE
ZESL 020 501 $25
26 Sessions, Remote Course
Mon. and Weds. 9/15 - 12/17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. No class 10/13 & 11/26
Susan Gorga, Instructor
ESL - Level II
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. Students will need to pay for their own book.
ZESL 021 500 $25
Mon. and Weds. 9/15 - 12/17, 4 - 6 p.m. No class 10/13 & 11/26
Susan Gorga, Instructor
ZESL 021 501 $25
26 Sessions, Remote Course
Mon. and Weds. 9/15 - 12/17, 1 - 3 p.m. No class 10/13 & 11/26
Michelle Soule, Instructor
ESL – Level III
Students will learn reading strategies to improve their comprehension of English texts and practice several writing patterns. Students will also work on listening comprehension, speaking fluency, grammar, spelling and academic vocabulary. Students will need to pay for their own book.
ZESL 022 500 $25
26 Sessions, Remote Course
Tues. and Thurs. 9/16 – 12/16, 4 -6 p.m. No class 11/27
Shauna Anderson, Instructor
| Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZESL-017 500 | 46 seats left | $0 |
Explore the World as a Travel Writer
Instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a professor of publishing at higher learning institutions across the nation, including Harvard Adult Education.
If you love to travel and love to write, this class is for you! We will discuss how to use all your senses in a new destination to create more detailed and in -depth descriptions that capture and maintain readers' interest, and whether or not you need to include photos with your work. You will also learn how to submit your finished product to print and online markets; the business side of travel writing (how to take travel tax deductions); and how to avoid worn-out travel writing clichés. Informative handouts for future use are included in the class fee. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 10/8 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
ZCOM-093 500 | 15 seats left | $39 | Opens 8/27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, 11/3 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm |
ZCOM-010 500 | 15 seats left | $25 | Opens 8/27 |
How to Write Your Life Story
Instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a professor of publishing at higher learning institutions across the nation, including Harvard Adult Education.
You don't need to be famous to have a legacy to leave behind. Create an inspirational autobiography for family, friends, and others in this class. Learn how to recall vivid memories, analyze events and people that shaped who you are, and bring your story to life. Your handout, included in the class fee, will have an outline to help you organize and write your memoir step by step. Printing and publishing options will also be discussed. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 10/4 11:00 am - 1:55 pm |
ZCOM-033 500 | 15 seats left | $59 |
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, 10/15 - 12/5 | ZILC-061 500 | 11 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 11/12 - 1/2 | ZILC-061 501 | 15 seats left | $130 | |
| Online, 12/17 - 2/6 | ZILC-061 502 | 15 seats left | $130 |
Introduction to Journaling: A Beginner's Guide
Instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a professor of publishing at higher learning institutions across the nation, including Harvard Adult Education.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, 10/5 11:00 am - 12:55 pm |
ZCOM-103 500 | 15 seats left | $39 |
No Excuses! Writing & Selling Your Book
Is a novel or nonfiction book burning inside you? 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, 10/25 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
ZCOM-019 500 | 15 seats left | $75 | Opens 8/27 |
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, 10/15 - 12/5 | ZILC-070 500 | 14 seats left | $144 | |
| Online, 11/12 - 1/2 | ZILC-070 501 | 15 seats left | $144 | |
| Online, 12/17 - 2/6 | ZILC-070 502 | 15 seats left | $144 |
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, 10/15 - 12/5 | ZILC-063 500 | 15 seats left | $143 | |
| Online, 11/12 - 1/2 | ZILC-063 501 | 15 seats left | $143 | |
| Online, 12/17 - 2/6 | ZILC-063 502 | 15 seats left | $143 |
Write Your First Novel (in 90 Days!)
Instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a professor of publishing at higher learning institutions across the nation, including Harvard Adult Education.
This intensive course provides a schedule of crafting a novel from start to finish, which you can finish in as little as 90 days! This class will also help you stay motivated throughout the journey. You will learn how to select your novel genre and develop a compelling premise, create multidimensional characters and immersive settings, craft a detailed plot outline, manage your time to keep your writing flow consistent, combat common roadblocks including writer’s block, master the art of self-editing (refining your plot, and fixing pacing, dialogue, and characterization problems), receive constructive criticism from beta readers, and explore publishing options. By the end of this class, you will know how to complete your novel and have the knowledge and confidence to move forward with the publishing process. Informative handouts for future use are included in the class fee. 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, 10/10 7:00 pm - 9:55 pm |
ZCOM-097 500 | 11 seats left | $59 |
Get in Touch
Office 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)