BCC Offers Full Suite of Online Language Classes

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) offers many non-credit career training courses and workshops designed for both workforce development and continuing education.
 
BCC currently offers 12 language courses, plus a sign language series that bundles two classes, via the online platform ed2go. Students may choose from four Wednesday start dates: Oct. 13, Nov. 17, Dec. 17 and Jan 12. Some courses also offer self-paced options, allowing students to start and finish at their own pace. To register, visit www.ed2go.com/ebcc.
 
The courses are:
 
Spanish for Law Enforcement: Communicate more effectively with Spanish-speakers while adding a valuable skill to your resume. This course helps students master basic Spanish and gain more power handling situations that involve Spanish-speaking victims, witnesses or criminals. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Spanish in the Classroom: Designed for teachers, this course helps bridge the communication gap among the teacher, Spanish-speaking students and parents. Learn essential Spanish phrases and pronunciation. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Speed Spanish: Learn six easy recipes to glue Spanish words together into sentences and engage in conversational Spanish in no time. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Speed Spanish II: Become more conversational and comfortable in Spanish-speaking situations. This course will immediately improve Spanish fluency by covering a variety of important words and teaching proper pronunciation. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Speed Spanish III: Master the ability to speak, understand, and read Spanish by taking this final installment in Speed Spanish. Learn the final six recipes that serve as templates for creating any Spanish sentence. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Beginning Conversational French: Master the basics of conversational French. This course emphasizes proper pronunciation as well as cultural tips, including appropriate gestures and body language. (24 course hours, $100)
 
Conversational Japanese: Whether you want to learn to speak Japanese for travel or just for fun, this course makes it easy for beginners to master the essentials. The course includes drills, interactive exercises and dialogues. (24 course hours, $100)
 
Instant Italian: Learn how to express yourself comfortably in Italian with practical, everyday words and phrases. Students read, hear and practice dialogues used in a wide variety of settings. (24 course hours, $100)
 
Discover Sign Language: This course immerses students in silence to help provide an understanding of the perspective of the hearing impaired. Learn basic signing and facial communication skills. (24 course hours, $100; self-paced option available)
 
Discover Sign Language II: Take your sign language skills to the next level with additional vocabulary, grammar lessons and cultural information. (24 course hours, $100; self-paced option available)
 
Discover Sign Language Series: Gain skills and confidence signing with the Deaf community. This course bundle helps students understand the perspective of the hearing impaired through use of videos demonstrating how to make signs and communicate by facial expression. (48 course hours, $199; self-paced option available)
 
Writing for ESL: Learn to write in English more effectively to help achieve personal and professional goals. This course teaches how to achieve clear, logical and cohesive writing in any academic or work setting. (24 course hours, $115)
 
Grammar for ESL: Prepare for mainstream English classes as a non-native speaker. This course is designed as an in-depth analysis of English grammar for intermediate to advanced ESL college students. (24 course hours, $115)
 
All courses and programs earn an achievement certificate issued by BCC.

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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