Programs Description

Literacy Advance of Houston offers 4 free programs: English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), Family Literacy, and While You're Waiting. Literacy Advance clients range in background from newly arrived immigrants with PhD’s in their native countries to American born high school dropouts. Classes are always offered at no cost, and Literacy Advance is committed to serving anyone without regard to income, age, ethnicity, or citizenship status. Registration for classes requires adults to attend a two hour Student Orientation where they will be assessed and receive information about Literacy Advance and tools to help them succeed in the classroom. Classes depend on tutor availability and are offered throughout Greater Houston with sessions held during the day and most evenings Monday - Saturday. Classes are scheduled for two-hour meetings twice a week for 12 week sessions. In response to the growing demand for our free services, Literacy Advance now offers classes on Saturday afternoons.

English as a Second Language (ESL):

The ESL program is the largest of all Literacy Advance programs. These classes assist non-English speaking adults to learn basic phonetics and everyday English.

Adult Basic Education (ABE):

ABE learners are adults who need to improve functional and workplace literacy skills and seek to increase job readiness skills through improved literacy.

Family Literacy:

The U.S. Department of Education reports that the most significant predictor of a child's literacy level is the literacy level of the mother. Literacy Advance Family Literacy programs are designed to help parents of elementary school children improve their English literacy skills. These community presentations encourage parents to attend school activities and enroll in literacy classes so they can help their children succeed.

While You're Waiting:

Increasing demand for literacy services continues to be a challenge. While You're Waiting is an open enrollment program that helps learners practice reading and writing skills using functional materials related to their job or family while they wait to be assigned a tutor or class. The current wait list at Literacy Advance is over 300 adults.