Reading passage
Many adults finish school or university and then start to work. After some years, they often feel that they want to learn something new. They may want a better job, a new hobby, or simply the pleasure of study. However, they are busy from nine to five, so they cannot go to normal daytime courses. Evening classes are the answer for many of these people. An evening class usually meets once or twice a week, from about seven o'clock until nine o'clock, so students can go there after work and still be home before it is too late.
Evening classes take place in many different buildings. Some are held in colleges, and some in community centres. Many schools also open their classrooms at night, because the rooms are empty after the children go home. In big cities there are special adult education centres, but in small towns the local library or the village hall may be used. The buildings are usually easy to reach by bus or train, and many have free parking. Students do not usually need to travel far, because most areas have at least one class nearby.
The choice of subjects is very wide. Foreign languages, such as Spanish, French and Chinese, are always popular. Many people choose practical subjects like cooking, photography, or using a computer. Others prefer art and music, where they can paint, draw, or learn to play the guitar. There are also exercise classes, such as yoga and dance, and classes that prepare students for important exams. A typical class has between ten and twenty students, which is small enough for the teacher to speak to everyone.
The people in an evening class are often very different from each other. Office workers sit next to shop assistants, and young parents study beside retired people. Some students are eighteen years old, while others are over seventy. The teachers are usually people with special knowledge or skills. Some of them teach in schools during the day, but others have normal jobs and simply enjoy sharing what they know.
Evening classes are usually much cheaper than private lessons. Students normally pay for a term of ten or twelve weeks, and the price of each evening is quite low. Some courses are even free, especially classes in basic reading, writing, and maths. Books and materials sometimes cost extra, but the teacher can often lend them. Many students think the classes are good value, because they learn a lot for a small amount of money.
There are many good reasons to join an evening class. Students learn new skills that can help them at work, and a certificate from a course can make a job application stronger. Learning is also good for the mind and gives people confidence. In addition, evening classes are an easy way to make new friends. Students with the same interests meet every week, talk during the break, and often stay in contact after the course ends.
Of course, studying in the evening is not always easy. Many students feel tired after a long day at work, and sitting in a classroom can be difficult. Parents have to find someone to look after their children, and travel home late at night is not always safe or pleasant. Missing a week also makes it hard to catch up, because each lesson builds on the one before. For these reasons, some students stop going before the course finishes.
Anyone who wants to join a class should think carefully first. It is important to choose a subject that is really interesting, and to check that the level is right. Most colleges put their course lists on the internet, so finding information is easy. Many teachers also let new students try one evening before they pay. A small step like this can be the start of a big change in someone's life. Thousands of adults discover every year that learning does not have to stop when school ends.