Jorge had 18 years of education in Cuba. He was a university graduate and worked as a veterinarian and teacher.

The goals that he reported during interviews show his strong identification with education. In 2003 and 2004 he reported as a goal in education to receive a professional certificate of some kind. In 2005, after having done training and receiving certification in phlebotomy, he listed graduate school as an educational goal.

This level of previous education and his orientation to continuing education as an adult, no doubt, are partially the reason for Jorge's quick advancement through different proficiency levels at Portland Community College's ESL program seen in the table (below) and also in his standardized assessment scores.

In an interview from 2003, one year after arriving in the U.S., Jorge discussed his views on education with respect to effective instruction being instruction that is designed for particular individuals (JoEd1).

Jorge:	also the teachers need the program the program um a special program with each person. I think so. Because it's different when (to you come) to Spanish language or other language and I think that in different age it's different learning. It's maybe I need more time, eh exercise my ears and my language. And (+) some people, it's too fast for (learns). I think it's (will better) that more time in the school. And, especial eh program for each person in the school. I think so, thanks, okay.
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