Each branch has a collection of Adult Basic English materials chosen to meet the needs of both adult beginning readers and adult English language learners.
Adult Basic English collection materials:
- are written in simple, easy-to-read English, at beginning literacy through 6th grade level
- are addressed to adults, and deal with their interests
- offer information that is useful or interesting in itself, or helps the user take steps toward GED-level studies
- often include practice exercises for use in either classes or self-study
Main topics covered by the collection are:
- English Language
- Beginning literacy, including phonics method
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary building
- Dictionaries of basic English, including many with illustrations
- Grammar
- Composition basics
- Style guides for key document types such as letter, resume, e-mail
- ESOL from pre-literate through intermediate levels
- ESOL lessons focused on everyday life, workplace situations and citizenship
- ESOL in combinations of book plus cassette, compact disc or DVD plus related material, shelved in many branches near the ABE collection
- ESOL for speakers of some twenty specific other languages (selection of languages varies among branches)
- School Subjects
- Basic mathematics
- Workplace mathematics
- Social studies, including American government and history
- General science
- Everyday Life Activities- for developing both language and skills related to:
- Shopping, meal planning, cooking
- Banking, credit, budgeting, time management
- Community resources and services
- Finding a place to live, using advertisements
- Health care
- Parenting
- Employment
- Looking and applying for jobs, understanding terms of pay and benefits
- Business communication
- Getting along with supervisors and co-workers
- Customer service
- Recreation and General Interest
- Music, sports, biography, famous events
- Classic and popular fiction, abridged
- Stories written for the ABE reader
Materials include:
Library Services
- Library Tours
Find out more about what the library has to offer.
Contact your local library to schedule a tour for a group of students
- Personalized Computer Instruction
Contact your local library to scheduled a date and time for basic instruction on how to use the library catalog and databases, and how to access the Internet.
- Conversation Clubs
Practice speaking English in an informal, friendly atmosphere with people from diverse backgrounds. Contact the Hyattsville and New Carrollton branch libraries for more information.
- Conference Rooms
Literacy Council tutors may use library conference rooms for tutoring, free of charge. To reserve a room, contact the Central Booking Office at 301-699-3500 ext. 244
- Casa de Maryland
Offers classes in ESOL, citizenship, computer training, and more. 301-431-4185.
- Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Provides tutoring to adults in the essentials of reading and writing. 301-610-0030.
- Literacy Council of Prince George’s County
Provides tutoring to individuals, and offers classes in basic reading, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), pre-GED and GED. 301-699-9770.
- Literacy Volunteers and Advocates
Provides one-on-one tutoring, Adult Basic Education classes, and
on-site basic skills training for
local employers. 202-387-1772.
- Maryland Office for New Americans
Provides support and services to refugees, including referrals to ESOL classes. 410-767-7514.
- Prince George's Community College Adult Education Programs
Classes for Pre-GED, GED, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL), and External Diploma Program.
- Washington Literacy Council
The largest provider of basic adult literacy services in the District of Columbia, whose mission
is to reach adults who struggle with low-literacy and teach them to read. 202-387-9029.
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