Background on Adult Learners
Adult education programs serve learners who are native
English speakers and those whose first, or native, language
is not English. Native English speakers attend
adult basic education (ABE) classes to learn the skills
needed to earn high school equivalency certificates or
to achieve other goals related to job, family, or further
education. English language learners attend English as
a second language (ESL) or ABE classes to improve their
oral and written skills in English and to achieve goals
similar to those of native English speakers.