Census data shows that 40% of adults in Odessa and Midland have, on average, limited English proficiency. This limits nearly 72,000 of adults’ abilities to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at home, at work, and in settings like doctor’s offices, grocery stores, or their children’s schools. This is just in Odessa and Midland alone.
One Permian Basin area nonprofit is out to change that. For 40 years, the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center has been enriching the lives of adults with no- and low-literacy through tutoring, small group, and online English language learning opportunities.
The center has opened enrollment for their Fall Adult Literacy classes that are set to begin Monday, August 12. Students may enroll via application at pbalc.org/students.
The center’s literacy programming is available to adults 18 years of age and older. After applying, enrollees will be guided through an assessment process to determine the curriculum and classes (offered both in-person and virtually) they’ll attend to achieve their literacy goals or if they’ll be placed with a trained tutor to guide them through instructional learning, a news release said.
“The work we do with our students is all custom. We meet them where they are at and develop a specific plan to carry them from where they are to where they want to be,” Program Coordinator Andrea De Jong said in the release.
Enrollees pay a once-yearly enrollment fee of $25. The enrollment period for Fall Adult Literacy classes ends Thursday, August 29. Those interested are encouraged to enroll early to avoid waiting lists.
“We’ve been igniting lasting change for adults, their families, and our Permian Basin communities for four decades,” Executive Director Alba Austin said in the release. “As adults across our region improve their literacy skills, they are better equipped to secure and advance in jobs, enjoy improved living and health situations, and pursue higher education and vocational training. Such transformations have positive, lifelong impacts for them and importantly, on future generations.”
The center prides itself on its student-centric approach, which includes a measured assessment of where each student’s literacy journey begins. This custom approach and specialized curriculum are coupled with students establishing individual personal and professional goals to guide learning and monitor learning progress.
“Understanding a language is key to understanding and adapting to a culture,” said volunteer instructor, Erik Schofer. “At the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center, we help our students not only improve their language skills, but also provide them the chance to understand and succeed in an English-dominated culture.”
Additional services the center offers include year-round tutoring and small group classes for English Language Learning (ELL) and Adult Education & Literacy (AEL – reading and writing).
Key features of the center’s programming also includes:
- Online Group Classes: Students may participate in classes from the comfort of their homes and enjoy interactive lessons along with support from instructors.
- In-Person Group Classes: The center offers limited in-person sessions for students who prefer face-to-face learning. Contact the center for locations and times of these classes.
- One-on-One Tutoring: Tutoring is offered for adults in unique circumstances who want or need to improve their reading and writing skills.
- Trained Volunteer Instructors: The center trains and oversees a fleet of highly qualified and dedicated teachers who are all committed to helping students achieve their language learning goals.
- Flexible Scheduling: Classes are offered at various times to accommodate different schedules.
Other class-based educational opportunities offered by Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center include Financial Literacy classes presented in partnership with Frost Bank and hosted at Greater Ideal Baptist Church’s Family Life Center in Midland, Virtual Health Literacy Workshops, Virtual Citizenship Classes, and other specialty workshops throughout the year.
“The literacy work we’re doing really works,” reports De Jong. “Just this past year, we had 72% of our regular attendance students achieve a personal or professional goal and 66% of them improved their assessment score level by one or more levels. This is having a profound impact on their lives and the lives of their families. And it’s changing workplaces and employment, health care, and educational settings and opportunities.”
Adults interested in enrolling or those interested in learning more about the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center can visit www.pbalc.org. An application can be found and completed at pbalc.org/students. For those with enrollment questions, contact Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center’s Program Coordinator Andrea De Jong, Program Coordinator at [email protected] or 432-682-9693
