MORE overseas learners have been taking advantage of adult courses than ever before.
Stockton Adult Education Service is helping more learners, through its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses.
The courses cater for immigrants, migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers at all levels of ability, from complete beginners to Level 2 proficiency (GCSE English Language equivalent).
A total of 396 learners with 49 different mother tongues have attended courses since August 2004.
Although almost a third are Urdu or Punjabi speaking, most of whom come from Pakistan, there are increasing numbers of learners who speak languages as varied as Bulgarian, Amharic, from Ethiopia, and Tagalog, from the Philippines.
Jocelyn McIntyre, principal adult education officer for Stockton Adult Education, said: "We get learners on the courses from all corners of the world who are eager to learn. They pick up English before they know it."
For more information about ESOL, telephone (01642) 528125.
To book an assessment for placement in a class, telephone (01642) 612400.
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