IT'S perhaps the greatest example of Bermuda's growth as a diverse society ? English courses for non-native speakers are now on offer through a Government community programme.

According to organisers, the courses are representative of residents' needs; the result of requests from people working in various sectors of the community.

"A lot of employers in the private and Government sector, in hiring a group of diverse people from abroad, they can work but they can't always communicate in English," explained Patricia Chapman, executive officer of Community Education with the Ministry of Community Affairs & Sport.

"They send them to us to brush up on their language skills. There are also many who come here who want to make application for jobs, but know they have to brush up on their English prior to making application, prior to to being interviewed."

To meet that demand, the Community Education & Development Programme is offering two new courses, both entitled English as a Second Language & Adult Literacy. The first teaches beginner's English, the second is open to students at the intermediate level.

The courses complement a third, already on offer ? Upgrade Basic Skill English.

"(That) is primarily for (non-native speakers) who are going to apply for another job ? a lateral move," Ms Chapman explained. "It's more about bringing them up to speed with workplace jargon.

"For example, what one person calls shorthand, another might call bookkeeping. Someone else will (describe it as) a part of accounting. It's just about the terminology. It's not that they don't know English, really it's a refresher.

"(Those in need of the other courses) might speak broken English. They need help because they're not fluent. We used to offer it a few years ago, and then the demand dropped off. In choosing our course schedule, we generally follow trends. The more requests we have for a course, the more we see a need in the community, and the more likely we are to offer it."

Although the new courses were not designed with a target group in mind, Ms Chapman said many people in the Portuguese community had subscribed to them when they were held in the past.

"But we offer a host of languages," she added. "We have Spanish. We have French. We have had Latin. We have Portuguese. We have English as a second language. It's for the community at large. There's no one specific group it's directed at. (The courses) are designed more for personal development."

The Community Education & Development Programme was created 25 years ago, one of many recommendations to come out of the Pitt Commission, which examined the workings of Bermuda society following the 1977 riots.

"Out of that report came recommendations that the people needed to have a sense of belonging, and be able to participate and be involved in their community," explained Ms Chapman, likening the programme to a cross between a self-help group, a community organisation and a neighbourhood project.

"After a year of that, Government saw the need to make it a permanent programme. We have three terms a year ? we operate on an academic school year basis ? and we offer courses, programmes, workshops and seminars for members of the public starting at age four, through to senior citizens.

"We try to get Bermudians to take advantage of most of our classes whether it be for professional or personal development. We're just giving the community a second chance to take advantage of opportunities provided in both the private and the public sector."

Since it started 25 years ago, the Community Education & Development Programme has seen an average of 1,400 people register for courses each term.

The English as a Second Language courses will be held at Clearwater Middle School in St. George's, on Thursdays between 6.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Tuition is $75.

To register or to learn more about the host of courses on offer, visit www.communityed.gov.bm.