Greater Hazleton Metro Ministries ESL Classes

Meeting the needs of the community and offering hospitality to neighbors is part of what it means to be the Christian church, according to two Hazleton area United Methodist congregations. The members and leaders of Diamond United Methodist Church, Hazleton and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Drums announce the beginning of a shared outreach ministry designed to assist members of the community whose native language is not English. Greater Hazleton Metro Ministries will begin to offer English classes for speakers of other languages February 1. Classes are presently scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00. Additional sessions will be scheduled to meet the needs of those attending.

All classes will be held in the education rooms at Diamond United Methodist Church, 519 North Locust Street. Anyone wanting to register for classes may call the church office at 455-0992. Registration may be completed in the Spanish language by calling David at 646-512-7548. There is no charge for the classes, but a registration fee of $10.00/person is requested to cover part of the cost of materials and books. While the primary focus of these classes is persons whose native language is Spanish, anyone whose first language is not English and who wants to learn English is welcome to enroll.

This all-volunteer ministry is beginning with basic English instruction, but plans to offer citizenship classes and basic computer skills classes in the future. A small computer center is being established with computers that have been donated, and an after-school homework assistance program for neighborhood children and youth will be developed as resources and personnel become available.