Junior college/community college

[ohmyrichard]

This afternoon I talked with my students about junior college. Unexpectedly a student came up with a question about the difference between junior college and community college. I answered that perhaps they are just two names for the same kind of higher education institution. I might not be right there. Please tell me what is the difference between the two terms or what is their relationship? Thanks in advance.

[esltutor]

In my experience, there is no difference. They are two terms for the same thing.

A couple of decades ago (in the U.S.), they were all "junior colleges." I think somewhere along the way, they started being called "community colleges." My guess is that it has something to do with public relations and trying to be more inclusive and gather more community support and attendance.

I look forward to reading other answers on this!

Debra
http://www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com

[Mishik]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hi, I'm an academic advisor at a local community college. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']You're basically right about the reasons for becoming community colleges instead of junior colleges. Community colleges are trying to loose their image as low-quality schools that are only for the poor and poorly educated. The word junior carries connotations such as lesser or low-ranking. The goal of these institutions is usually to improve the community, so the term community college became more commonly used.[/FONT]

[ohmyrichard]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hi, I'm an academic advisor at a local community college. [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']You're basically right about the reasons for becoming community colleges instead of junior colleges. Community colleges are trying to loose their image as low-quality schools that are only for the poor and poorly educated. The word junior carries connotations such as lesser or low-ranking. The goal of these institutions is usually to improve the community, so the term community college became more commonly used.[/font]

Thanks, Mishik.

[ohmyrichard]

In my experience, there is no difference. They are two terms for the same thing.

A couple of decades ago (in the U.S.), they were all "junior colleges." I think somewhere along the way, they started being called "community colleges." My guess is that it has something to do with public relations and trying to be more inclusive and gather more community support and attendance.

I look forward to reading other answers on this!

Debra
http://www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com

Thanks, esltutor.
Richard

[ohmyrichard]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hi, I'm an academic advisor at a local community college. [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']You're basically right about the reasons for becoming community colleges instead of junior colleges. Community colleges are trying to loose their image as low-quality schools that are only for the poor and poorly educated. The word junior carries connotations such as lesser or low-ranking. The goal of these institutions is usually to improve the community, so the term community college became more commonly used.[/font]

Hi,Mishik.
What do you do at that local community college as an academic advisor? I mean: what is the job of academic advisor all about? And are there instructors working full time there?
Thanks.
Richard

[tedtmc]

The terms vary from one place to another.

In Singapore, junior colleges offer the 2-year pre-university courses to prepare students for the A-level exams. In Malaysia they are called 'matriculation colleges'.

I understand a community college is not an institution for full-time studies but is meant for working adults which wish to pursue part-time courses after working hours for self-improvement, to learn a new skill or as hobbies. As the name suggests, it is set up to serve the community or suburb in which it is located.

not at teacher