The Essential Skills Center (ESC) is dedicated to improving the learning and academic skills of all Curry students, from first-year to graduation. Located on the second floor of the Levin Library, the ESC accomplishes its mission in five ways: by offering developmental courses designed to enhance students’ preparation for college level courses; by training peer tutors and teaching assistants for subject matter tutorial in the academic disciplines; by staffing the Center with professional staff and faculty tutors; by presenting a variety of non-credit workshops each semester; and by providing a quiet study area equipped with personal computers for word processing and research. All tutoring in Essential Skills is a free service to Curry students and is available on a sign-up basis in the Center.

View Essential Skills Schedule for Spring 2008 (PDF)

One of the Essential Skills Center’s strengths is that it draws from many areas of the College for faculty and staff. In addition to the core Essential Skills Center staff, English, Education, Management, PAL, Mathematics, Nursing and Instructional Technology professionals teach for the Department and tutor in the Center. The Essential Skills staff also works closely with all academic departments to recruit and train student tutors and teaching assistants.

The ESC faculty is committed to challenging students through demanding courses at the developmental level, thus preparing them for more complex academic coursework. Developmental courses offered by the ESC include:

• Fundamentals of Writing
• Academic Reading
• Foundations of Math
• Academic Skills
• ESOL

Peer and faculty/staff tutors are a vital part of the Center’s services and are available to all students at no charge. Students with specific needs are referred to peer tutors by the ESC as one form of support. Faculty and staff tutors are also available in the ESC each afternoon and evening for subject matter tutorial or writing assistance.

Non-credit seminars are offered each semester, ranging from one-time workshops on topics such as time management, test taking strategies and reference skills, to ongoing classes in the areas of grammar, math and vocabulary development.

Online tutorials in a variety of areas, including reading, math, and writing are available through Learning Express, an online skills-building software program.