NNLC provides English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Skills, and GED preparatory instruction for adults, 18 years of age and over, who lack a high school diploma or GED or essential basic skills to function successfully in the workplace.

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English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction

At its Adult Learning Center, NNLC’s classes are conducted Monday through Thursday mornings (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) and evenings (5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.). NNLC currently offers four levels of ESL instruction and GED preparatory instruction.

The English language is words and numbers. Learning English includes:

  • Listening – understanding what people say to you
  • Speaking – say words and numbers clearly so other people can understand what you say
  • Writing – being able to fill out a form or put what you are thinking down on paper
  • Reading – being able to read and understand the questions on a form or reading and understanding an article in the newspaper or enjoying reading a book you get from the Library
  • Computation – being able to understand how to compute numbers to solve problems

NNLC ESL Courses

Your education at NNLC is like climbing stairs – you start on the first step and keep advancing up the steps until you reach the top...

Step I – Introduction to English

All new ESL students must complete this 11-week course to be eligible to enroll in NNLC’s other ESL courses. In this 11-week course the student learns to properly hear and correctly speak the sounds of the Roman alphabet in English. The student will develop an English vocabulary of over 500 words, use those words in writing simple sentences, comprehend those words when reading simple stories, and use those words to carry on simple conversations with fellow classmates, family members, co-workers and friends.

Based on their assessments scores at completion of Introduction to English students are placed in the appropriate level course.

Step II – Language Basics

In this 11-week course the student’s English vocabulary increases to over 1,000 words. The student learns simple parts of speech and how to use them in sentences, reads a higher level of materials, begins to understand and compute numbers, participates in conversations with fellow classmates, and practices English on programs in NNLC’s computer lab.

Step III – Fluency Development

In this 11-week course the student’s English vocabulary increases to over 3,000 words. The student learns more parts of speech and how to use them to ask questions, give opinions, or relate feelings. The student will be able to answer questions about stories he/she has read, compute numbers to solve simple day-to-day problems, tell classmates about things he/she hears, sees, or does, and complete class assignments in NNLC’s computer lab.

Step IV – Proficiency Acquisition

In this 11-week course the student’s English vocabulary increases to over 6,000 words. The student learns complex parts of speech and how to use them in sentences, paragraphs, and essay. The student will be able to fluently retell what he/she has read and participate in discussions about it, compute numbers in a variety of practical applications including charts and graphs, participate in conversations with a variety of people about a variety of topics, and complete research assignments in NNLC’s computer lab.

Step V – Your Future

When NNLC ESL students achieve an assessment score of 245, they make a decision about their future educational needs and explore available options:

  • Does the student want to continue in NNLC’s GED preparatory course to obtain a GED credential?
  • Does the student want to transfer to some type of vocational training program?
  • Does the student want to transition to postsecondary education?