Literacy Council of Northern Virginia

Here at the Literacy Council, we offer two classroom-based English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs for adult learners: the Family Learning Program and the Learning Centers Program.

The Family Learning Program provides ESOL instruction for parents in a supportive classroom environment, while their children (ages 2 - 12) participate in literacy-related activities and receive homework help in a separate classroom. We have designed this program to serve beginning learners with an emphasis on developing their speaking skills. Our curriculum focuses on life skills training with lessons structured around such themes as school, community and civics, health and nutrition, and employment and finance. At least twice a month, the children join the adult classroom for PACT (Parent and Child Together Time) activities. The program also offers parent workshops and encourages field trips throughout the community. Our program runs 3 semesters each year following the Fairfax County Public School calendar with a total of 30 weeks of instruction per year. We offer paid and volunteer positions. To find out more, please click on the links to the right.

The Learning Centers Program provides instruction to adult ESOL students. The course content focuses on helping students improve their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Our curriculum is theme-based and provides English instruction within the context of teaching students about life skills and American culture. Our curricular themes include health and nutrition, civics and community, and workplace and lifelong learning. The program strives to create a feeling of community within the classroom, where students from diverse backgrounds can work together in a supportive learning environment. We offer three sessions of classes per year. Community classes are offered in multiple locations within the Northern Virginia area in community centers, schools, libraries, and other public facilities. Private workplace classes are held at sponsoring organizations for eligible employees. We offer paid and volunteer positions. To find out more, please click on the links to the right.

If you're interested in volunteering for one of the classroom programs but aren't sure which one might suit you better, take a look at this comparison chart. It might help you decide.