Welcome to the MITESOL Adult Education Interest Section!
Hello MITESOLers,
My name is Amira, and I’m excited to serve as the Adult Education Interest Section Leader for MITESOL. After three years serving as the MITESOL Social Media Coordinator, I’m especially excited to continue contributing to our organization in this new role and to focus on an area of education that I care deeply about—adult learners.
I currently serve as an instructor at Western Michigan University and also teach ESL to adult learners and families through Kalamazoo Public Schools. These experiences have given me the opportunity to work with adult learners from diverse backgrounds and to see firsthand the importance of accessible, meaningful, and community-centered adult education. I look forward to connecting with educators across Michigan, sharing resources and ideas, and creating opportunities for collaboration within our adult education community.
I encourage you to check out MITESOL Messages for updates, shared resources, and discussions relevant to adult education. If you are interested in receiving links, reminders, and updates about MITESOL adult education, please fill out this form https://forms.gle/CDQTZ3UBn2TRCfNn9.
We welcome participation from teachers, administrators, volunteers, and anyone dedicated to supporting adult learners and English language learners across Michigan. Below are some upcoming events and resources that may be of interest to our adult education community.
Sincerely,
Amira Ashraf Eldemerdash
Adult Education Interest Section Leader
MITESOL
Adult Literacy Research & Training Symposium
Kalamazoo Literacy Council & Western Michigan University
October 9, 2026, Kalamazoo, MI Western Michigan University's Sangren Hall.
The 2026 symposium, Literacy Without Limits, will bring together adult educators, tutors, volunteers, students, and literacy advocates for a day of professional learning focused on innovative approaches and effective practices in adult literacy. The event is free, with both in-person and virtual participation available.
Highlights: Sessions covering Dyslexia & the Science of Reading, inspiring confidence in adult readers, and using storytelling as a literacy tool.
MITESOL Annual Conference
Adult Education Interest Section Meeting
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Michigan State University
I’m excited to meet you at this year’s MITESOL Conference! Please join us for our Adult Education Interest Section meeting from 11:55 a.m.–12:25 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to connect with fellow adult educators, share ideas and experiences, and talk about ways we can grow and strengthen our adult education community across Michigan. I hope to see you there!
Resources for Adult Students (and Their Teachers!)
EL-centered materials in all skills (videos, grammar lessons, idioms, current events, and beyond). Use “The Day In Photos” as a daily icebreaker activity.
Free tools to make your students better writers
Great reading for English Language Learners. Do together in class or assign remotely.
USCIS Processing Updates
Citizenship Test Practice
As the printed books + cds are no longer being produced, this website is the place to refer your students for citizenship test prep.
MACAE 40th Anniversary Fall Conference
Michigan Adult, Community and Alternative Education Association
November 10-13, 2026, VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center, Muskegon, MI
MACAE will celebrate its 40th anniversary with its annual fall conference. Watch for updates as details become available.
Conference Theme: Learning Without Limits
Jobs and Skills Training
Pure Michigan jobs and skills training
Peruse this website for many options to aid your students with workforce training and jobs:
https://www.mitalent.org/career-explorer
Also, refer students to local Michigan Works! offices for asssistance with resumes, interviewing skills, and locating available jobs: https://www.michiganworks.org/
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