International Education Center

ABOUT US
Our mission is “to provide tools by which first-generation immigrants, refugees, and their families become independent and productive members of the Twin Cities community.”

HISTORY
The International Education Center has been helping immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams since 1991.

The IEC was established in 1991 as Gateway, a non-profit English language school for adults of international origin. As the need for English language instruction grew due to increasing numbers of immigrants and refugees relocating to the Twin Cities, the program grew in size and became an adult basic education (ABE) program under the umbrella organization Institute for New Americans (INA).

From 1994 to 2006 the INA included the Hmong elders' program, an English and cultural proficiency program that supported older members of the Hmong community. From 1996-2007 the INA also included Abraham Lincoln High School, an alternative high school focused on serving immigrant and refugee teens.

In 2006, Volunteers of America took over the Hmong elders program, and in 2007 the high school became its own charter. The remaining adult education program became the Institute for New Americans doing business as the International Education Center. In addition to continuing its English language instruction, the IEC incorporated GED preparation, citizenship, computer, and math classes. At various points, it has offered a TOEFL class, career-specific language classes, and was contracted to provide on-site English instruction to employees at local businesses.