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  • 31-10 Thomson Ave.
    Long Island City, NY 11101
    1-718-482-7200
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CONTINUING
EDUCATION

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  • Center for Immigrant Education and Training

    CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

  • Services
  • Apply
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Partners

  • SERVICES

    The Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET) at LaGuardia Community College offers free, contextualized English classes and job training programs, along with career counseling and case management services to low-income Queens immigrants and their families. Our goal is to support our students in becoming lifelong learners and independent, contributing citizens of New York City.

    Our programs include:

    • Center for Immigrant Education and Training - Overview
    • English and Civics
    • English and Citizenship
    • English and Immigrant Family Literacy
    • Connecting Immigrant Parents to School Projects
    • En Camino/ On Our Way
    • English for Workforce Development
    • Hotel T.E.A.C.H. Project Curriculum
    • NYC Welcome Back Center
    students reading a booklet


  • How To Apply

    HOW TO APPLY

    To apply to one of our English or job training programs, please visit us in Room C-239 on the second floor of LaGuardia’s C-building. Office hours for walk-in applications and information are Monday – Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. The main office number is (718) 482-5460.

  • CONTACT US

    Phone:
    (718) 482-5460

    Email:
    ciet@lagcc.cuny.edu



    FAQs

    What kind of classes do you offer?

    The Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET) offers free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for adult English language learners at beginner to high intermediate proficiency levels. ESOL classes are contextualized for civic engagement, parent engagement or for workforce development and include computer literacy lessons, project-based learning, field trips and in-class visits from partner community-based organizations and government agencies.

    How many semesters per year do you run English classes?

    Classes in most programs begin each semester in September (Fall), January (Winter), April (Spring), and July (Summer), meeting three to four times a week in the mornings or evenings and lasting approximately 10 – 12 weeks.

    How many hours per week are English classes provided?

    Depending on the specific program, most ESOL classes take place for nine (9) to twelve (12) hours a week during three (3) or four (4) sessions a week. All students must attend a minimum of 80% of class sessions in order to remain in the program.

    How can I apply for English classes?

    New applicants for free English language programs can call the Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET) at (718) 482-5460 or come to Room C-239 on the second floor of LaGuardia’s C-building to fill out a pre-application and be added to the wait list. Applicants will then be invited to an information and pre-testing session to confirm their eligibility for the program and the most appropriate proficiency level of spoken English.

    How much does it cost to take English classes?

    Classes at CIET are grant-funded and provided at no-cost to eligible participants. These free courses are sponsored by federal, state, municipal or private funding sources in order to support immigrant integration, access to career and educational pathways, economic self-sufficiency, and family engagement. All participants must meet the eligibility and class attendance requirements for individual programs.

    How long does it take to be accepted into English classes?

    After applicants fill out a pre-application, they are placed on a wait list for either day or evening programs. Waitlisted applicants are then invited to attend an information and testing session to confirm eligibility and the most appropriate English proficiency level. How long an applicant must wait to be invited to an information session can depend on several factors, but the average time is usually six months.

    Is there any way I can take an English class immediately?

    All students must fill out a pre-application to be placed on a waitlist and invited to an information and testing session. It is possible that some programs might have immediate openings in a class at the beginning of a new semester. This would only be for applicants at specific proficiency levels or for individuals with certain eligibility criteria, such as legal permanent residency.

    What kind of immigration status do I need to apply for the classes?

    CIET classes are open to all New York City residents who are adult English language learners at beginner to high intermediate proficiency levels. Tourists and F-1 student visa holders are not eligible for classes. Some programs have specific eligibility criteria, such as requiring students to be legal permanent residents or to have children in the New York City school system. Proof of work eligibility is required for some workforce development training courses.

    Do I have to bring any documents to apply for the classes?

    Students should bring proof of identity and New York City residency, such as the IDNYC card or a Con Edison bill, when attending an information and testing session. Family Literacy programs require proof of a child’s attendance in the New York City school system. English and Citizenship courses require proof of an Alien Identification (“Green”) Card, while workforce development programs may require proof of work eligibility and other supporting documents.

    How long can I study in the program?

    Students in good standing can re-enroll in classes for up to four (4) semesters of study. All students must maintain an attendance rate of over 80% and participate fully in all class activities in order to remain in the program.

    Do you have any weekend classes?

    Unfortunately, CIET does not have any current funding to offer weekend classes. Classes take place either on day or evening weekday schedules, three to four times a week.

    Are there other requirements to enroll in the classes?

    All applicants are required to complete funder-mandated documentation to be eligible for enrollment. CIET student contracts must also be signed to confirm a student’s agreement with the 80% attendance policy, participation in class, and respect for fellow students guidelines, and an understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).



  • PARTNERS


    CIET partners extensively with:

    Government agencies, nonprofits and New York City cultural institutions in order to provide our students with the services and referrals they need to achieve their goals and integrate with their communities. These include such agencies as the NYC Workforce1 Centers, NYC Offices of Family Engagement and English Language Learners, local public schools, and the Queens Borough President’s Immigration Task Force.


    Non-profit partners include:

    World Education Services (WES), Global Talent Bridge, Upwardly Global, Learning Leaders, Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Metropolitan Museum of Art, GrowNYC, Noguchi Museum, Make the Road New York, HANAC, Sanctuary for Families, Catholic Migration Services, and The Floating Hospital, amongst others.


    CIET is grateful for generous support from:

    CUNY Office of Academic Affairs, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, New York State Education Department, NYC Department of Small Business Services, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, NYC Mayor’s Office, NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, New York City Council, U.S. Department of Labor, Walmart Foundation, National Immigration Forum, MetLife Foundation, and National Center for Family Literacy.


    CIET is a proud member of:

    New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy, and Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education .


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31-10 Thomson Avenue
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