Program News and Updates

“I am grateful SBCC Extended Learning gave me the start in building my English skills and the opportunity to get my first job in the USA. Thank you for everything!”

Joel Santana is part of a record-breaking year for noncredit ESL students achieving an ESL or Vocational ESL Certificate of Competency.

Originally from Brazil, Joel began taking Extended Learning ESL classes just two years ago, shortly after he moved to Santa Barbara in 2018. Soon he began speaking and writing in English.

“I became confident in my new language skills and, in October 2019, found a job where I could have the opportunity to improve by working as a customer service agent for United Airlines,” said Joel. “I speak English every day with people from around the world and I feel that I am improving day by day.”

Jessica Martinez is proud to be a newly-minted U.S. citizen. She attributes her success to the tuition-free U.S. naturalization preparation class offered at the School of Extended Learning.

Extended Learning citizenship program participant Jessica Martinez encourages her fellow immigrants to “work hard, be responsible, and seize the opportunity!”

At age 13, after her father’s death, Jessica moved to the U.S. with her mother and brother. She learned English as a Second Language and attended college for two years. After having to take time off from school in order to support her family, Jessica decided to apply for citizenship to open more doors for her education and employment.

Jessica now works in accounting and lives with her husband and son - and was finally able to visit her family in Guatemala after 19 years. She is excited to vote in the next election and is grateful for what living in the U.S. offers.

The U.S. Naturalization Preparation (citizenship) class (NCESL 040) meets Monday - Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Wake Campus, Room 27. This is an open-entry/open-exit class. Join anytime!

(CRN 62954 until March 7 or CRN 62902 March 9 - May 9)

A variety of tuition-free classes at the School of Extended Learning helped Virgilina Derrick explore educational options and discover her academic and career pathway. In 2018, Virgilina, who is from the Philippines, started her educational journey at the Wake campus in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class. Learning English hasn’t been easy, but she was delighted to meet many learners like her and be part of the diverse learning community in the ESL class. After receiving her ESL level 4 and grammar and composition certificates, Virgilina decided to take the Vocational English in Healthcare Course. That’s where she discovered her passion for healthcare. Virgilina then completed the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and is currently taking the GED classes at Wake. Her goal is to get her high school equivalency and become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She enjoys helping others and has found the right path for her. While Virgilina hopes to use her skills professionally in the future, she realized that the lessons in healthcare courses are useful in everyday life. Virgilina says, “We all take care of our family members or friends at some point.” Join Virgilina in exploring educational opportunities at the School of Extended Learning.

Angel Cardenas is department chair of SBCC’s Computer Network Engineering Department, but when he arrived in Santa Barbara from Mexico City at age 17, he couldn’t communicate in English. He began studying ESL in 1989 as a non-credit student, and he still remembers his first ESL instructor, Lisa Kroes. “She was so dedicated to us, and welcoming,” he says. “The least I could do was to study hard to show her I appreciated her work.” It took 11 years of hard work and sacrifices to complete his college education as a transfer student at UCSB. Since his first class, Angel has gone from noncredit to credit student, to staff, to adjunct faculty, and tenured faculty in 2002. “SBCC has been part of my life since 1989 when I signed up for Lisa’s class,” he says. “The road to achieve your goal may be longer than others, but don’t give up. Persistence is the key!”

Juan Perez Used Education to Conquer Defeat

Having earned his AA at SBCC, Juan Perez, 31, will transfer in spring 2019 to CSU Channel Islands to study clinical psychology. It wasn’t easy, and his struggle to get there informed his choice of majors.

When Juan came to Santa Barbara from Oaxaca, Mexico at 18, he quickly enrolled in Level 1 ESL classes at the School of Extended Learning (then Adult ESL), but admits he wasn’t committed. Life became difficult for many years. “I didn’t have goals or a purpose,” he says. In his darkest moment, an inner voice told him his only answer was to focus on learning English. “It was my way to heal myself experiences that put me in a situation where I felt defeated as a person.” Now Juan will use his journey to help others as he works toward his goal of a BA in clinical psychology. “I have the experience of knowing I can push through.”

Noncredit ESL program’s New Partner: YMCA St. George Youth Center

Thanks to the YMCA St. George Youth Center, the adult ESL students in Isla Vista now have access to computers.

“My kids do homework on the computer and I want to help. Now I can learn with the kids. I appreciate this opportunity.” said one of the students at Isla Vista School/St. Gorge Youth Center.

The students are learning English with multimedia which allows learning to be individualized and student-centered. They are learning to read, write and communicate online. We work for and with the community!

Program Newsletter