Lone Star College-Kingwood set to offer free English for Speakers of Other Languages, GED certificate courses in January

Lone Star College-Kingwood will offer free GED certificate and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes beginning Jan. 18, officials announced in a Dec. 1 news release.

The classes, which are being offered through the college’s continuing education program, will be held in person and online in both English and Spanish.

According to Natalie Abundiz, the college's adult education and literacy program director, the continuing education program is designed to help students acquire new knowledge or redevelop skills to help them gain employment or grow within their current field.

“Continuing education courses focus on teaching students just the skills they need to enter a new career quickly and comprehensively,” Abundiz said in a news release. “Students learn current job skills that employers need today in courses led by current or recently retired industry professionals.”

Additional courses available through the continuing education program include clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, bookkeeping, and phlebotomy. While these courses are not free, officials noted some students could be eligible for financial assistance.

“Low-income students who complete the Federal Application for [Federal] Student Aid can qualify for up to a 75% discount for tuition,” Abundiz said. “Scholarships of up to $2,500 are also available for Kingwood courses in certified medical assisting, and medical billing and coding.”

Anyone interested in taking the free GED or ESOL courses will be required to register for orientation and subsequent testing at www.lonestar.edu/adult-education. For more information, call 281-312-1660 or visit www.lonestar.edu/kingwood.