Programs and Classes

We offer two types of regular classes to Houston adults:

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

ABE classes are reserved for students who are native English speakers and who need to learn or improve their BASIC reading and writing skills. ABE classes are taught one-to-one, i.e., one student per tutor.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL classes are for people whose first language is not English, but who want to learn or improve their English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. ESL classes have between five and six students per tutor.

How classes are organized

ABE and ESL are considered our regular classes. Students and tutors meet either once a week for three hours, or twice per week for two hours each time. All regular classes run for a total of 48 hours of class time, so the class will meet for either 16 weeks (if they meet once per week for three hours) or 12 weeks (if they meet twice per week for two hours each time). When a class session finishes, we will ask the tutor if they want to stay with the class for another session. Many tutors decide to tutor again, and we will keep the class together for as long as we can.

There are no semesters or terms at Literacy Advance — we begin new classes whenever a tutor and a classroom both become available. When students register, they tell us when they're available to attend. We then do our best to find class times that are convenient for each student. If you are a student and your schedule changes, We will try to find another class that better suits you.

Special Classes

We also have a program of Special Classes for registered students, including:

• While You're Waiting (only for ESL students on the waiting list)
• Conversation
• Pronunciation
• Computer skills
• Workplace skills
• More!

Special Classes run on different schedules; each class usually meets between three and eight times.

Partner Programs

Literacy Advance works with many partners in the Houston community to provide classes at other locations and within different programs.

• See a map of our locations
• Read more about our Partner Programs

For more information about our programs and classes, you may either:

• Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
• Request specific class information