LEWISTON — The School Committee was told Monday that last year’s problem of people waiting to get into classes to learn to speak English has been solved.

Lewiston Adult Education Director Eva Giles said during the recent economic downturn, her program experienced a surge in enrollments in all programs.

“We were unable to meet the needs of all students seeking academic instruction and had to establish wait lists in classes in which there was no additional room,” Giles said.

That was especially true for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, where students are helped by paid teachers and volunteers.

This year, no one is on a wait list because the School Committee increased adult education spending by $50,000 and because the program received grants, Giles said. In addition, the demand for service has leveled off.

In 2010 there were nearly 400 ESOL students enrolled in adult education. In 2011 that number fell to about 325.