Adult immigrants are often following a difficult path in life and the greatest barrier to better jobs for newcomers is their lack of English skills. BCNC's Adult Education program is designed to help immigrants learn English and provides classroom instruction, a home-based video and peer-tutoring program, a volunteer tutoring program, citizenship services, counseling and advocacy, and a computer literacy program. The program began in 1976, when two teachers taught 60 students three days per week. Today, the program serves over 400 learners each year.
Classes are held in the afternoons and evenings. In the ESL classes, the program's curriculum teaches students the English they need and want to know. At the beginning levels, instruction is bilingual in English and Chinese. The program introduces more English only instruction as students progress in their learning, with the highest levels taught entirely in English. At these upper levels, students learn the English they need to enter higher level ESL or job training programs. All classes use the agency's computer lab. Complementing the instructional program, counseling and advocacy services help students with health, family, work, housing and immigration issues. | 
