Literacy

Adult Literacy Classes

Communication & Language Skills Training Program for Persons Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Late Deafened

If you or someone you know needs help in building reading, writing, and basic math skills in order to get a job or move ahead on the job, we offer a structured and individualized program. We are specialists in serving people who have been unable to find employment, or who have missed out on career opportunities and advancement because of inadequate reading, writing, social, and communication skills. Our clients include immigrants from non-English-speaking countries, as well as US citizens who have not yet achieved the reading and language skill levels that they need for employment and for daily life.

Our instructors teach in American Sign Language (ASL) and use the approach called “English as a Second Language.” Our philosophy is to teach American Sign Language (ASL) and printed English by means of a bilingual-bicultural approach. We serve clients with literacy skills ranging from beginning level to more advanced, using both classroom time and our computer laboratory.

Program Highlights:

Educational and Vocational Assessment
• Determine communication skills
• Assess vocational interests and level of career exploration
• Determine potential reading and math barriers
• Make individualized recommendations for progress

Basic Communication Skills
• Expressive sign language
• Receptive sign language
• Fingerspelling
• Social skills for everyday life
• Social skills for the workplace
• Skills for living independently

Basic English Skills
• Reading and writing
• Grammar
• Vocabulary development
• Questions & answers, commands, directions, statements

Basic Mathematics Skills
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Decimals, fractions, and percentages
• Math vocabulary
• Time, money, and measurement concepts
• Personal budgeting

Basic Computer Literacy Skills
• Using email systems
• Browsing the internet
• Basic Word and Excel documents
• Computer typing skills

Employment Preparation
• Filling out job applications
• Handling job interviews
• Using TTY and relay services
• Time management
• Deaf culture vs hearing culture in the workplace
• Work ethics and code of conduct
• Employment-related vocabulary

Assistance with Citizenship Processes
• Learning US history
• Civic rights and responsibilities
• Help with other aspects of the citizenship process

Program Schedule

Classes are 3 to 6 hours per day (usually 9:00 am to 2:30 pm), including the Literacy Computer Lab 5 times per week.

Length of the Program depends on each individual’s need and skill levels, but usually ranges from 6 months to 3 years.