English – 91��Ƭ

From 91��Ƭ Student to Adult Learning Center Director

Michelle Lang — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:49:50 +0000

Cristhian Barcelos can relate to the students he serves as Director of the 91��Ƭ Adult Learning Center. He was in their shoes in 2001 when he was a student taking English classes at 91��Ƭ. From there, he became a volunteer, a computer teacher and ultimately director.

In his current role, Barcelos oversees the Adult Learning Center, which offers educational programs to individuals who are 16 and older and out of the school system. Courses include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), Pre-High School Equivalency (HSE), HSE, Computers and Citizenship. Day, evening and Saturday classes are available for students.

In addition to the classes, the Adult Learning Center invites outside agencies to provide services for students, including vaccinations, eye exams and nutrition programs.

“Any and every program that we can get our hands on that is willing to come and do their services here, we coordinate that,” Barcelos said.

Adult education is important to Barcelos since he utilized those services when he came to the United States in 2001 from Uruguay. Although he knew some English when he arrived, he needed to become more proficient and heard about 91��Ƭ’s program. He enrolled and after he finished taking classes, he began volunteering at the end of 2002 because NCC’s mission statement resonated with him. He later became an instructor, teaching Microsoft Office to students, and eventually took over as director.

Barcelos’ favorite part of his job is watching students achieve their goals.

“You find those that need the help and are open to being helped and you see them moving through the different steps,” he said. “That makes my day.”

Barcelos’ commitment to the students and 91��Ƭ’s mission shines through.

“Cristhian is a passionate director who cares about the Adult Learning Center’s participants, its staff and the program’s results,” said 91��Ƭ Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter.

In addition to his work with the Adult Learning Center, Barcelos also serves as Executive Director of and as President of .

He has always had a busy work schedule. In his home country of Uruguay, Barcelos managed a modeling agency that required much more than a 40-hour workweek. He decided to leave that life behind and joined his father in the United States before moving into his own attic apartment after nine months.

Barcelos now owns a home in Belleville and enjoys working with his hands in his spare time. He likes to grow bonsai trees and creates intricate wood carvings, many depicting birds.

Adult Learning Center Student is Pursuing Her Dream

Michelle Lang — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 15:47:33 +0000

Claudelle Colin is a doctor and hopes to practice medicine in the United States. She moved to New Jersey from Haiti in April because of political instability in that country and is studying English at the 91��Ƭ Adult Learning Center.

Colin has always been ambitious. After graduating from high school, she decided to study medicine in Cuba, which she did for seven years and became a doctor. She returned to Haiti and worked with sick people for nine years.

She has a passion for medicine and caring for the sick. Although it was difficult to leave her family, she ultimately decided to pursue medical education in Cuba.

“I decided to fulfill my dream because it was my biggest goal,” she said.

This year, she moved from her family again to improve her situation.

“I learned in life you have to have patience and not be afraid to start over,” she said.

Colin decided that she needed to learn English so that she can communicate effectively with others.

“English helps me to listen more easily when people are talking with me and around me,” she said.

Learning English is Colin’s first step toward practicing medicine again.

“My plan for the future is to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination and work here as a doctor,” she said.

Family is very important to Colin. Most of her relatives live in Haiti, including her parents and one of her sisters. Another sister lives in Chicago. Although there is physical distance between them, they are still close and supportive.

“The most important people in my life are my family,” Colin said. “My family supports me in all things in life.”

The 91��Ƭ Adult Learning Center serves students who are 16 years old and older and out of the school system. It provides a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs to prepare students for a vocational or college education. Courses include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Citizenship, Computers, Adult Basic Education (ABE), Pre-High School Equivalency (HSE) and HSE. The Adult Learning Center is located at 563 Orange St., Newark. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 973-558-5536 for additional information.

Afghan Immigrant Learns English at Adult Learning Center

Michelle Lang — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:32:28 +0000

Samiullah Mosafer is a 20-year-old student from Afghanistan. He emigrated to the United States with his family in late 2021 after violence erupted in his home country.

Mosafer’s native language is Pashto. Now that he is in the United States, he says it is important to learn English to achieve his goals of completing his education and starting a small business.

“Without English, my life will be hard here,” Mosafer said. “If I do not know English, I will be faced with a lot of problems, like I can’t get a job easily, I can’t understand anyone. I can’t do anything as well here, because it is English everywhere.”

Mosafer completed the Level 2 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course at the 91��Ƭ Adult Learning Center in the spring. He improved his English skills.

He is happy to have his family’s support. He has six brothers and two sisters.

“The most important people in my life are my family members,” he said. “I am nothing without them, and I love them very much. They are supporting me in everything.”