Adult Literacy Program

The Adult Literacy Program opened its doors to students in 1998 because community members were determined to overcome language barriers and to assimilate into the American mainstream. Since then, the program has developed and grown both in the number of students and the scope of our services. Classes are provided for more than 800 students in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens annually.

Our Adult Literacy Program aims to provide the highest quality English instruction to our students in a safe and welcoming environment. Through our program, students will gain practical, everyday English skills that are critical to a better quality of life in the U.S.

The program's primary focus and activities include: free English classes in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn; daily practice of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills; daily practice of useful, real-life skills; and job development, college preparation, citizenship workshops, and social supports offered to all students. The requirements to participate in this program are: 1) Must be at least 18 years old and not in school; 2) Must be an immigrant and living in New York City; 3) Must be pre-screened by a teacher for English level

Impact

Last year, our program had over 1600 community members seeking ESL classes and 70 classes teaching basic, intermediate, and advanced level classes.

Support

This program is funded by NYC's Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), New York State Education Adult Education Program and Policy's (NYSED-AEPP) Adult Literacy Education (ALE), and the NY State Office for New Americans (ONA).