Seats are hard to come by in the St. Joseph School District’s Adult English Language program.

“The ELL program has been around for more than 40 years but over the past 10 to 15 years it’s increased,” said Betty Wymore St. Joseph Adult Education and Literacy program director. “In the past 5 years they’ve seen a huge spike.”

Registration is being held for the January start of the English Language Learners program December 8 to 9 and December 15 to 16 from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Webster Learning Center located at 1211 N. 18th Street.

However, not everyone who registers may have a spot.

“In the next couple of weeks we could possibly have 50 to 60 people,” said Wymore. “I mean we could have 80 people show up but we might not be able to enroll them all due to space issues.”

There was already a waiting list of more than 40 students who were unable to attend the last session due to a limited number of class participants.

Wymore said in the past 5 years enrollments in the English Language program have doubled.  She attributes the increase to several issues.

“Work, like local plants such as Triumph,” said Wymore. “Plus many people are coming in wanting to be U.S. Citizens.”

Because of the influx of more students wanting to take classes additional teachers will be added to the ELL program.

In January Wymore said two part-time evening instructors will increase the ELL teaching staff to 10 part-time instructors.

“We’re easily doubling what we did 5-years-ago,” said Wymore.

ELL classes will start January, 6. 2015.  Day and evening classes will be available.  Wymore said if someone is interested in participating in the course they need to sign up as soon as possible to make sure they have a spot.