College English is a challenge for many new college students. But, it's particularly challenging when English isn't your native tongue. That's why the Gettysburg Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) is holding an English as a Second Language or ESL Open House and information session on Thursday, February 12, at 6pm.

Beginning in the fall semester of 2004, HACC will offer a series of ESL (English as a Second Language) college courses and related student support services. The HACC classes will provide intense, concentrated instruction to help ESL students develop the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to make a transition to college level academic work.

At the open house, prospective students will be able to meet with a counselor to discuss various levels of ESL courses. In addition, a financial aid advisor will be on hand to explain options for paying for a college education.

From 6:30 to 8:00 pm, the first 20 open house guests will be able to take an ESL placement test to determine their appropriate placement in ESL course levels. Other interested students will be able to schedule appointments for ESL testing at a later time with HACC's campus test center.

Light refreshments will be available throughout the open house.

The ESL Open House will be held in Community Room 109 at the Gettysburg Campus of HACC, 731 Old Harrisburg Road, located in the North Gettysburg Center near Adams County National Bank and Weis Markets. For more information, please call the Gettysburg Campus at 717-337-3855 (x. 3032).

Generacion Diez, Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 Migrant and ESL Programs, Adams County Literacy Council, and the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs have lent their support for this project and are helping to promote the ESL classes.