The Community Enrichment division of Continuing Education at Sandhills Community College seeks to facilitate learning and participation of adults in the region in order to improve their lives and the community.

Classes are designed to allow students to strengthen existing proficiencies, to experience cultural or academic enrichment or to investigate a new curiosity.

The Spanish language ranks second in the world, with an estimated 329 million native speakers.

"Spanish: Beginning Conversation" will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 1 through Feb. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. The course will focus on Spanish fundamentals and conversation, as well as the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.

Mandarin Chinese ranks first in the world, with an estimated 870 million native speakers.

"Mandarin: Beginning Conversation" will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 2 through April 1, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This fun and educational course will explore the interesting culture of this widely-spoken Chinese language.

"Stained Glass: Beginning and Advanced" will be offered Tuesdays, Feb. 2 through March 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. New students will learn glass-cutting and soldering to make leaded and copper foil projects. Advanced students will learn projects such as lamps, entryways and window treatments. Contact instructor Bob Dresher at (910) 673-5590 regarding the tools and supplies needed for this course.

The Arabic language ranks sixth in the world, with an estimated 186 million native speakers. As the language of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, it is also widely used throughout the Muslim world.

"Learning Arabic is not as challenging as most people think," says a spokesman.

The focus of this course includes the alphabet, pronunciation and conversation. No textbook is required.

"Arabic: BeginningConversation" will be offered Thursdays, Jan. 28 through March 18, from 7 to 9 p.m.

"Draw and Paint with Ann-Intermediate" will be held Mondays, Jan. 25 through March 22, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the West End United Methodist Church, 4015 N.C. 73, West End.

Students will gain knowledge of various media including graphite, charcoal, oil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. Instructor Ann Campbell will provide a half-hour demonstration during most class meetings, and students will complete one or more drawings or paintings.

The registration fee for these programs is $65, and all must pay.

Registration is required for all courses. As many courses fill quickly, students should register several weeks prior to the first meeting date of the class.

Walk-in registration is at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during the college's scheduled hours of operation. Phone-in registration, (910) 695-3980, requires payment with Visa, MasterCard or Discover.