Literacy Program Overview

TLC Mission
The mission of The Literacy Council is to improve the lives of adults and their families through literacy education that teaches people to read, write, and speak English.
Our vision is a community in which each person achieves his or her maximum literacy potential, creating a more literate and skilled society.

What’s the Need?
– 92,000 adults in Central Alabama have low reading and writing skills
– With literacy, people are less likely to use drugs, less likely to be homeless, less likely to be imprisoned, less likely to drop out of school, less likely to be impoverished, less likely to be unemployed.
– Literacy improves educational attainment, job opportunities, and health care; improves company productivity; and spurs economic development

Our Services:
– GED in partnership with Jefferson State Community College
– Family Literacy
– Adult Basic Literacy
– English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
– Workplace Literacy

Adult Basic Literacy

One-on-one or small group learning
Across the five county area
3 “drop-in” locations in Jefferson County
- Downtown Birmingham
- Kingston/North Avondale
- North Birmingham – Salvation Army Center of Hope

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Community Classes throughout the five counties
- Held at schools, community centers, libraries, and churches
- 500 learners in 2018
- More than 67 countries represented
- 17 classes
- Classes are offered Monday – Thursday at various times; most in evenings, some during day
- Most classes operate on a school calendar

Advanced academic writing
- Summer Writing class for International students
- Focus on college and career readiness
- Collaboration with UAB School of Education and Jefferson State Community College