Slave Lake Adult Education has a full schedule ahead, with classes ranging from English and basic math to writing and learner’s permit preparation.

Pearl Lorentzen, Slave Lake Adult Education program coordinator, says the organization has a “very busy fall” planned.
This fall, all of its scheduled classes will be in person.
Lorentzen says Adult Education is focusing on face-to-face learning in the community.

English language learning

Adult Education will offer two English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, with daytime and evening options.
Samar Baalbaki and Lorentzen will be teaching this class.
The daytime class will take place Mondays at the Children’s Resource Council and Wednesdays at the Slave Lake Library.
Adult Education is also introducing an Easy English Book Club, held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the library.

The club is aimed primarily at English language learners and adults working on their literacy skills, but is open to any adult.
The first book will be an Oxford Bookworms Level 1 version of The Wizard of Oz.

People who register can receive a free copy of the book to keep.

“The idea is to make reading and a book club accessible,” says Lorentzen.

Writing and basic math

Sonja Jarrett will teach Write Right, which is designed for adults who want to improve their writing skills.

The class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. from Sept. 22 to Nov. 19.

She will also teach basic math on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., starting Sept. 21.
Lorentzen says the exact level will depend on the learners who participate.

The course will focus on basic math.
Adults who know they need help with math but aren’t sure of their level can contact Adult Education.
Adult Education can also help people get started if they are interested in working toward their Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), which replaced the GED.

Learner’s permit preparation

Lorentzen will also teach two Class 7 learner’s permit preparation courses this fall, one for adults and one for youth.
The adult class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. from Sept. 15 to Oct. 13 at Northern Lakes College.
The youth class runs from Oct. 1 to 30, excluding Thanksgiving week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Slave Lake Library.

The adult class is free, while the youth class costs $10.

Lorentzen says the courses do not involve learning how to drive. Instead, they are designed to help participants understand the material and prepare for the Class 7 knowledge test.

“If people are struggling with test taking and understanding the content,” says Lorentzen, that is where Adult Education can help.
Adult Education has partnered with several organizations for its fall programming, including the Slave Lake Library, Children’s Resource Council and Northern Lakes College Community Education Committee.

Ribbon skirt making

A Ribbon Skirt Making Workshop will be held Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre.
The workshop is for women and is limited to 10 participants.

At the time of the interview, two people had already registered.
Registration costs $100 and includes materials and lunch. The deadline to register is Sept. 18.

Lorentzen says the fee can be waived if cost is a financial barrier.
Adult Education is partnering with the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre for the workshop.

Budgeting workshop

Adult Education is also partnering with Community Futures for a Budgeting Workshop on Nov. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The workshop is free and open to adults, and supper will be provided.

Karen Nadeau with Community Futures will talk about budgeting, while Lorentzen will discuss skills for learning and recognizing yourself as a learner.

Adult Education is also interested in offering future classes in Smith and Kinuso.
Lorentzen says residents in those communities can reach out with ideas for programs they would like to see offered.

After spending the past few months putting the fall schedule together, Lorentzen says she is looking forward to seeing Adult Education become a busy place again.

“I’m looking forward to having kind of a set schedule in the fall and having the learners come in,” she says, “and having it be a very active place.”

Anyone interested with the classes can email Lorentzen at pearl.slae@outlook.com.

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader