ESOL – 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.

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.”

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.

91��Ƭ Helps Young Woman Achieve Dream of Automotive Career

Michelle Lang — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 19:07:00 +0000

Maa Efia Nyarkoa Ampiaw has always been interested in cars and decided she wanted to become a professional technician. The road to that career path has taken some time, but thanks to 91��Ƭ and her hard work, she has achieved her goal.

Ampiaw first came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017. She moved to Newark with her grandfather and enrolled in 91��Ƭ’s Adult Learning Center. After successfully completing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Levels 1 and 2 and the High School Equivalency (HSE) course, she enrolled in the Diesel Technician program at 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), where she learned the skills necessary to become both a diesel and automotive technician.

She graduated from the program in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the area. Despite that challenge, Ampiaw began her job search and didn’t give up. Her persistence paid off. Staff at NCCTI helped arrange an interview with Bridgestone-Firestone and she was hired as an automotive technician at the Linden location in January 2021.

“Maa Efia is a very hardworking and determined young lady who epitomizes what 91��Ƭ can provide through our organizational comprehensive services,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. “She earned her high school diploma through our Adult Learning Center, received excellent vocational skills training through our Diesel Technician program and was able to connect to a nice job opportunity with Bridgestone-Firestone Automotive Repair Center to start her career in the automotive and diesel industry.”

In her role, Ampiaw has a variety of responsibilities, including fixing tires and performing oil changes. She enjoys the work and the atmosphere at her job.

“If you don’t understand something, they are there to help and you learn more,” she said. “Everybody helps each other.”

Staff members at Bridgestone-Firestone are happy to have her on board.

“Maa has been a wonderful addition to our team here at Firestone in Linden, N.J. She has a terrific attitude which makes it easy to work with her,” said Store Manager Shane Allen. “Maa is dependable, punctual and very eager to learn, all attributes which will bring her success now and throughout her career in the automotive industry.”

The world of professional technicians is dominated by men, but that hasn’t stopped Ampiaw from pursuing her dream. She is the only female at her current job, but she hopes more women enter the field if they are passionate about it.

“Sometimes it’s tough because everywhere you look, there are guys,” she said. “I pray that it will change. When I was at NCCTI, there were four females. I had three in my class and one in the auto class.”

Ampiaw’s advice for others is for them to follow their dreams and work hard.

“Whatever you’re doing, give it 100 percent,” she said.

She has followed her own advice. Maureen Cooper was her instructor at the Adult Learning Center, teaching an all-inclusive HSE class, and knew Ampiaw could accomplish her goals.

“Maa Efia entered my classroom with a friendly smile and a whisper but by the end of the class session, she was a strong positive force,” Cooper said. “When she returned for the second session, she was on a mission; get her HSE Diploma, get a skill and get a good-paying job. It was never a question of if, just when.”

Brutton believes that this is the first step in what will be a successful career for Ampiaw, citing her work ethic and mechanical skills that she learned from NCCTI instructors John Zaccheus and Winston Thomas.

“The opportunity at Bridgestone-Firestone is just the beginning of Maa Efia’s long-term career in the automotive repair industry,” Brutton said. “She’s destined for greatness.”

Ampiaw is grateful for the education she received at both the Adult Learning Center and NCCTI. She also took advantage of 91��Ƭ’s Financial Opportunity Center where Financial Coach Tamara Brown helped her set and achieve financial goals. Ampiaw recommends 91��Ƭ programs and services to others.

“I really thank them for helping me achieve my dream,” she said. “And they’re still there for me no matter the circumstances.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

The Adult Learning Center serves students 16 and older and out of the school system with a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs in order to prepare them for a vocational or college education. For more information, call 973-558-5536 or visit newcommunity.org. The school is located at 563 Orange St., Newark, but classes are currently being conducted via Google Meet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Teen Attends Adult Learning Center To Help Reach Career Goals

Michelle Lang — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 19:51:19 +0000

Maa Efia Nyarkoa Ampiaw may only be 19, but she knows the career she wants. She has always been interested in cars and wants to become an auto mechanic.

Ampiaw grew up in Ghana and is the youngest in her family. Her mother moved to the United States before her. She stayed behind, living with her grandmother and siblings. She came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017 to further her education. She currently lives in Newark with her mother and grandfather. She said her siblings plan to make the move to the United States as well, but not right now.

Ampiaw was an honor roll student at Seven Great Princes Academy High School in Ghana, where she studied business and English. She also played soccer.

Even though Ampiaw took English classes at her high school in Ghana, she felt she needed additional help with the language after moving to the United States. Her uncle’s friend introduced her to 91��Ƭ and she enrolled in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class at the Adult Learning Center.

Because of her past experience, she enrolled in the Level 2 class, taught by Anthony Forte. He said she is a wonderful young person to have in class.

“She’s very steadfast,” Forte said. “She sits in front of class and helps me out.”

Ampiaw enjoyed the ESOL class.

“Everybody contributes and makes class lively,” she said. “We help each other in class. It makes class interesting.”

She also was glad to have Forte as her instructor.

“He’s a very nice person,” Ampiaw said. “He teaches so you understand. You really understand what he’s teaching.”

Since completing the ESOL class, Ampiaw has started taking Adult Basic Education courses at the Adult Learning Center to prepare to take the High School Equivalency Test.

She’s keeping up her car skills while she continues her education. Her grandfather has a car that she works on in her spare time.

“I look and I can fix some things by myself,” she said.

With a strong foundation, Ampiaw has a bright future ahead of her.

“Her diligence, dedication, intelligence and wit indicate success in fulfilling her goal — to study automotive engineering,” Forte said.