Adult & Family Education: Adult Education
Classes for Adult Advancement

The Adult Education Program creates a comfortable learning environment in which paid and volunteer teachers provide multi-cultural, multi-lingual participants the skills they need to live, work and support their families in the United States. Classes are focused on: 

• English Language Learner (ELL) – Beginning through advanced level classes incorporate English language instruction with American cultural lessons and daily survival skill development including computer literacy, financial literacy and navigating school, health care and legal systems in the United States.
• English Language / Civics Classes – Intermediate and Advanced English language classes embed employment readiness skill development into such topics as Education in America, Community Resources, American History and Worker’s Rights and Responsibilities in the US Workplace.
• GED Classes – Classes help students work toward passing the General Educational Development test, equivalent to obtaining a high school diploma. Students also prepare for the next step after the GED: employment and post-secondary education.
• Supplemental Classes – Computer and Citizenship classes reinforce English language acquisition and support the learning goals of our participants.

We focus on helping learners develop the skills and tools necessary to overcome their barriers to finding and keeping stable employment, housing, education, and healthcare, all critical steps on the path toward economic self-reliance.

Our Adult Education Program was awarded the 2011 PEGASUS Trophy for excellence in Adult Basic Education by the Minnesta Department of Education and the Literacy Action Network. Learn more here!

Success Story

Bridging the Digital Divide: Award-winning Digital Inclusion Classes at Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House was awarded the 2011 Dot.Org Award for “Bridging the Digital Divide” by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and MAP for Nonprofits, which recognizes nonprofits that are using technology and communications in inspiring, effective, and creative ways.

As the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) AmeriCorps member at Neighborhood House, Cait Thomas has implemented important advancements to the CTEP program, like dedicating computer class time to job searches and social media networking, so students are not only learning how to use a computer but also learning how to find work and network with friends and family. “Having these tools available for our participants really sets our program apart and is a really attractive feature of our school,” said Brenda Anfinson, Adult Education Instructor who, together with Thomas, created an award-winning digital inclusion program.

In addition, the English Language Learning (ELL) and GED students and teachers have created and implemented a blog (www.ellneighborhood.blogspot.com) that helps participants learn basic computer and internet skills. Anfinson and Thomas lead the blog efforts as a way to teach more than just English in class. The blog is used to simultaneously teach computer skills and create a way to help students actively participate with technology.

“The students really agree that the blog is special,” said Anfinson. “They like to use a website written in simple English that they can understand and it’s easy for them to navigate.” The blog features a unique Online Practice button that takes them to websites where they can practice reading, math, job skills, and typing, which they can do from anywhere. “Some of the students have told me that they access the website from home or from a public library,” said Anfinson, which makes her proud of the user-friendly system her team has created and proud of the dedicated students who are working toward better lives for themselves and their families, one class at a time.

Eligibility

English: Non-native English speakers at least 17 years of age; not currently enrolled in public school.

GED: Native or non-native English speakers at least 17 years of age; not currently enrolled in public school; have not completed high school; read at a 3^rd grade equivalency or above.

Enrollment Information: Classes are FREE! Join us with walk-in enrollment at 6:30pm on Monday and 9:00am on Friday.

For more information on evening classes, please contact Kamille Kolar, kkolar@neighb.org, at 651-789-2509. For more information on daytime and GED classes, please contact Brooke Dirtzu, bdirtzu@neighb.org, at 651-789-2525.

View class schedules here.