(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 12, 2004) – As more and more students enter the classroom speaking Spanish as their first language, local school officials and teachers are taking classes so that they can communicate with the growing number of Spanish-speakers in their schools. This June, Phoenix College’s Custom Training & Education Department (CTE) will offer a survival Command Spanish® class, which is primarily geared toward school administrators, teachers and their support staff.

This comprehensive program is designed to provide functional Spanish language skills for school personnel who have occasional contact with Spanish-speaking students, parents and visitors in various school situations. It also includes extensive training for non-Spanish-speaking classroom teachers who have Spanish-speaking children in their classroom. As the number of Spanish speakers in Maricopa County continues to increase, it is critical that teachers have the means and tools needed to effectively communicate with their Spanish-speaking students.

Phoenix College CTE has delivered Command Spanish®, the country’s leading provider of customized Spanish language and cross-cultural programs and products for non-Spanish speakers who interact with Spanish-speakers in the workplace, to approximately 44 customers over the past two years and their client base is quickly increasing.

According to founder of Command Spanish®, Dr. Sam Slick, Spanish is the second most used language in the United States, which verifies the critical need for this type of instruction.

"Phoenix College is one of 40 licensed institutions in the United States to provide Command Spanish® instruction," said Slick. "I have to admit that they are truly the cream of the crop…they have been with us from the very beginning and we are very proud to have such a wonderful relationship with them."

"Command Spanish® serves as the starting point," said Casandra Kakar, Phoenix College Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Community Services. "Companies throughout the Valley want this type of training so they can better serve their customers or because they have a need to communicate in Spanish with their employees and co-workers. Learning the simple Spanish phrases promotes better communication in the workplace, as well as increases the safety of the workers."

Command Spanish® for School Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff will teach participants how to use Spanish to:

--Monitor and control non-classroom school settings;
--Respond to medical emergencies;
--Greet and give basic instructions to parents or visitors;
--Engage in security measures; and
--Identify students’ needs.

Additionally, the course includes a cultural component that focuses on family issues, Hispanic etiquette, literacy, cultural expectations and Latin American educational systems. The program is intended for classroom teachers, school administrators, front office personnel, school nurses, bus drivers, custodians and security staff.

"Command Spanish® is cost-effective and we also deliver instruction on-site," added Kakar. "This program is customer focused and participants benefit from structured learning from college level instructors without stepping foot on a college campus. We provide them with everything that they need to complete the course, including cd’s which support instruction and refresh their skills in the future."

As the Spanish-speaking population continues to increase in the Valley, Command Spanish® will become an essential tool for companies and their employees.

CTE will offer the following Command Spanish® for School Administrators, Teachers and Support Staff this June.

June 2 – July 7
Wednesday Afternoons (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
NC 500 9808
Osborn Campus – Room 102
Cost: $129 – which includes instruction, training material and cd’s

Phoenix College CTE will also offer classes on site, for additional information, please call (602) 285-7998.

To register, call (602) 285-7777.

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