The Value of Non-Credit ESL

The chair of the ESL Dept. at City College of San Francisco, Greg Keech, has just written an excellent description of the value of non-credit ESL programs on the KQED site. According to Keech, non-credit instruction is based on achievement, unlike its credit counterpart, which is based on time. Also, we don't call adult non-credit students who quit "dropouts." Instead, we use the term "stopping out" because these adults do return to school later on when their life situations improve. Such insights into non-credit ESL are most convincingly stated. Imagine if all education could be this learner-centered! Imagine a system measured by individuals' achievements, not seat time and semesters! Click here to read Keech's writing.