By Nargis Rahman
Hamtramck Public Schools offers several English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in the city.
Nuo Ivezaj is the Principal of the Hamtramck Adult Education. He says there are about 500 enrollees per school year, with 30 students per class.
“The Hamtramck Adult Education Program offers a variety of ESL classes – beginner, intermediate and advanced levels,” he says.
Ivezaj says the district has provided ESL courses for over 20 years.
The U.S. Census data from 2018-2024 estimates that nearly 10 percent of Michigan residents aged five and older speak another language other than English at home.
The top languages spoken in the Michigan are Spanish, Castilian, Arabic, Bengali, Syriac and Albanian.
Hamtramck is home to several immigrant communities from Eastern Europe, South Asian and the Middle East. ESL courses can help people pursue career opportunities, achieve independence, and create community relations.
Hamtramck adult education classes are offered during the day and evening at different locations in the district.
During the day the classes are held at the Hamtramck Public Library, Hamtramck Community Center, and Horizon High School. Classes are 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., and 12-2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Evening classes are held at Horizon High School from 4 -7:30 p.m. between Monday through Thursday.
“Students are able to choose classes that work best for their schedule and test into placement to ensure they are in a proper level,” Ivezaj says.
The Institute for Education Sciences reporter that, “the National Reporting System for Adult Education, in program year 2021-22, nationally, free or low-cost adult education programs enrolled about 900,000 students, with nearly 50 percent in English language acquisition or integrated English literacy and civics education programs.”
The United States Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education posted a memorandum in April 2024 of funds allocated to adult education in different states. Michigan received an estimated $16.5 million for fiscal year 2024.
In Hamtramck, people can attend classes to improve English skills, get a high school diploma or GED certificate, or for Adult Basic Education (ABE).
There’s a $10 fee for registration.
The course provides translators in Arabic, Bangla and Bosnian.
Call (313) 591-7404 to make an appointment with the Hamtramck Adult Education. For more information visit https://www.hamtramckschools.org/departments/adult-education/.
