About

The mission of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English in order to empower them to participate more full and confidently in their communities.

Read below to learn more about each of our four educational programs:

Basic Literacy Tutoring Program
The Basic Literacy Program works with adults who can speak and understand English, but need help with reading and writing. Each teacher meets with only one student. The student and teacher meet together once or twice a week for about an hour and a half each time. They meet in a library, community center, or other public place that is convenient to both of them. There is a one-time registration fee, and we ask students to pay for their own books.

Open enrollment. Call the Literacy Council at (703) 237-0866 for more information.

English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) Tutoring Program
The ESOL Tutoring Program works with adults who need help with speaking and understanding English, as well as reading and writing. Most of the students in this program are just beginning to learn English. Instead of meeting in a class, each teacher meets with only one student. The student and teacher meet together once or twice a week for about an hour and a half each time. They meet in a library, community center, or other public place that is convenient to both of them. There is a one time registration fee, and we ask students to pay for their own books.

Open enrollment. Call the Literacy Council at (703) 237-0866 for more information.

Family Learning Program
The Family Learning Program provides ESOL instruction for parents in a supportive classroom environment, while their children participate in literacy-related activities and receive homework help in a separate classroom. At least twice a month, the children join the adult classroom for PACT (Parent and Child Together Time) activities. The Family Learning Program also encourages family literacy and parental involvement in education through workshops, book give-a-ways, and fieldtrips. Adults who live with children or work as caregivers are also eligible for the classes. Class sites are located throughout Northern Virginia.

For more information call the Literacy Council at (703) 237-0866.

ESOL Learning Centers
ESOL Learning Centers are located in various locations throughout the Northern Virginia area. These centers offer beginning level ESOL classes three times each year (fall, winter, and summer). The course content focuses on helping students improve their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The classes also provide information about American culture and life skills important to the workplace, community, and family. Many of our learning centers have computers with educational software, so that students can learn about technology and practice the English skills covered in class.

Registration for the ESOL Learning Centers classes is required. Call the Literacy Council at (703) 237-0866 for more information.

In addition, some centers offer other types of learning opportunities such as conversation classes and open computer lab hours. The conversation classes are free and provide an opportunity for students to practice their English speaking and listening skills. The open computer labs contain a variety of programs for students to practice their English skills. Please contact the Literacy Council at (703) 237-0866 for more information about these programs.