Framingham Adult ESL Program Expanding To Worcester County

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Adult ESL+ (FAESL), a non-profit adult educational program based in Middlesex County, will open a new in-person learning location in Milford for the 2023 fall semester.

The program will be housed by Milford Public Schools at Stacy Middle School, and will offer four evening ESL classes to the local community at no cost to students.

"This expansion is made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Education's Adult and Community Learning Services (MA DESE, ACLS) and the FAESL Student Advisory Council, according to a news release.

"Framingham Adult ESL was awarded this grant through an open and competitive process for funding in the MassHire Central workforce region. Funding for these classes is independent from Framingham Public Schools, and does not draw funding from the Metro Southwest region. The grant application was designed with cooperation and support from the administration of Milford Public Schools."

Currently, many Milford residents study with FAESL because it is the closest publicly-funded adult education program to the town of Milford, a news release said.

Offering classes in Milford is a win-win for both towns, as officials hope it will allow these adult students to study closer to their homes while also opening up much-needed seats at the Framingham site.

"With a growing need for adult education services throughout Worcester county, Framingham Adult ESL+ is eager to work with community partners to bring its proven curriculum to Milford, and is committed to providing the same high-quality education to local residents as it has for decades in the MetroWest region," officials said.

With over 1,000 current students, Framingham Adult ESL+ has been providing free English classes, High School Equivalency classes, and classes to prepare students for the US Citizenship test since 1984.

This spring 2023 semester, in response to the Work and Family Mobility Act, the program is piloting a class to prepare students for the Massachusetts driver's license test.

"At Framingham Adult ESL+, we believe that education is a powerful tool in empowering community members to reach their full potential," said Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the director of the program.

"We are honored to be able to serve the community of Milford, and we look forward to working with community partners in Worcester county to make a positive impact in the region."

New students can enroll for the fall semester with registration starting in August 2023.

For more information on Framingham Adult ESL+, visit faesl.org.