Find the Right Literacy Program for You
Build confidence, gain new skills, and open doors to new opportunities with our literacy programs.
Adult Basic Literacy (ABL)
Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning
We offer individualized tutoring in Adult Basic Literacy (ABL) for those seeking to improve their literacy skills. ABL tutoring is conducted in one-on-one sessions, including the option of virtual tutoring, beginning with an understanding of each adult learner’s goals. We cultivate a respectful and caring no-stigma environment with the goal of helping each adult learner flourish.
Related reading: Real Stories of Literacy Success in Our Community
English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL)
Breaking Barriers Through Language
TLC’s English for Speakers of Other Languages Program serves hundreds of people from more than 70 different countries working to improve their English language skills. Between 2023 and 2024, student enrollment grew by 36%.
As our fastest-growing program area, ESOL is offered in community classes held both online and in person at schools, community centers, libraries, and churches. Operating on a school calendar, classes are offered Monday through Thursday during the day and at night. Classes focus on reading, writing, and listening in basic English and advanced English for those seeking to improve their English skills.
ESOL programming also includes an advanced summer academic writing class, college and career readiness, and family literacy.
Workforce Development
Preparing Adults for Career Success
The Literacy Council offers both Adult Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages tailored to meet the needs of businesses who wish to help employees improve their literacy.
We offer virtual classes, reviews of workbook lessons and employee-completed materials, and computer-based individualized learning followed by teacher/tutor consultation.
Workforce Literacy opportunities include reading and writing, industry-specific instruction, numeracy, and digital literacy. Programming begins with business consultation on employee needs, employee literacy assessments, and enrollment in classes or one-on-one tutoring partnerships.
Family Literacy
Strengthening Literacy at Home
GED Referrals
Helping Adults Take the Next Step
Digital Literacy
Bridging the Technology Divide
The digital divide refers to both technology accessibility and the digital literacy needed to use technology effectively. We provide diversified offerings to help resolve this inequity, including classes in basic computer use, Microsoft and Google programs, and accessing medical and banking portals.
Literacy for Justice-Impacted Adults
A Second Chance Through Education
Low literacy for individuals encountering the justice system is a strong contributor to what Michelle Alexander has called “perpetual marginality” (The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness). Low literacy contributes to barriers in understanding the justice system, educational advancement, and future employment. We provide ABL services in county jails throughout our five-county service area and through a partnership with the Birmingham Municipal Court.
Consulting & Advocacy
Supporting Communities Through Literacy
Let our experienced literacy professionals provide training and help you create or develop literacy programming. We provide support to churches, community organizations, and partners interested in resolving low literacy. Our staff are available to speak on a broad range of literacy and education topics. They have decades of experience in literacy training, advocacy, higher education teaching and administration, college preparation, ESOL, nonprofit management, academic program development and management, instructional design, online education, digital literacy, and workforce development.
They are professionally engaged through conference participation and presentations, including the ProLiteracy Conference, the Alabama-Mississippi TESOL Conference, the Southeast TESOL Conference, the ESOL Educators Conference, and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference
They serve on state-wide literacy, educational, and nonprofit boards and councils, including the Alabama Literacy Alliance, Impact America, and an Alabama study group selected by Governor Kay Ivey to make literacy recommendations.
TLC leads and manages the Literacy Providers Network (LPN), which convenes quarterly for state-wide literacy providers and advocates to share literacy initiatives. LPN has featured guest speakers such as Gus Heard-Hughes (Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham), Margaret Stinnett (Hand in Paw), Sherrel Wheeler Stewart (Birmingham City Schools), Cornelia Beckett (APTV), Joan Wright (Childcare Resources), Kaelyn Christian (Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library), Bonnie Short (Alabama State Department of Education), and Laura Fiveash (Spring Valley School). With the Alabama Literacy Alliance, we support and execute 3-4 state-wide literacy retreats a year.