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"| started out at a grade one level and

now |'m almost finished ABE."

Blackburn first heard of the program after
asking another school about upgrading
courses. Once he finishes ABE at Douglas
College he expects to take a college

level career program here.

"There's so much to pick from now. I|'ve
thought of hundreds of different jobs,"
| take, it will

he says. "Whatever

probably be at Douglas."
And because Pat is in a wheelchair, his
greatest interest lies in counselling
for the handicapped. His former job as
a spray painter is not something he wil|
miss, thanks to the effort he has put

into ABE.

"You lose a lot being unable to read and

now | feel a lot better about myself,"

he says.
ABE Raises Student's Confidence

An important aspect of the program is the
fact that Adult Basic Education helps to

raise students! confidence in themselves,
which prepares them for further training

or courses at the college level, says

instructor Joyce Cameron.

Besides basic reading, writing and math
classes, the students also learn how to
study efficiently, use a library properly,
how to listen, organize and memorize,

and how to take notes in class.

"The whole basic education area is still
developing and it's pretty exciting to

be involved," Cameron says. "Everyone,

 

 

|

 

from the students to the instructors,
is constantly gaining more expertise

all the time."

There are three semesters, with the first

one beginning in September and the third
one finishing at the end of June. The
exact starting dates differ at the Maple

Ridge and Royal Avenue campuses, so each
campus should be contacted. Seats are
made availabe on a first-come, first-
served basis. Both Douglas College
campuses are accessible to the handi-

capped.

Depending on a person's skills when they
enter ABE, they could spend one semester
or as many as they need until they are
prepared to enroll in other programs

or courses at Douglas College or another

institution such as B.C. | .7.

lot of work from the students
WAT

"l+ takes a
and the instructors," says Cameron.
Douglas we design the Adult Basic
Education program to help keep people
interested and excited in their own

education."

For more information about the program,
contact Judy Murray at 520-5463 or
Sherri Walker at 467-6811 (Maple Ridge).
- DOUGLAS COLLEGE NEWS SERVICES

     
 

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