Community & Business Services
Adult Education
ESL, ABE, GED, Literacy
Prairie State College offers a variety of classes for adult students who need to improve basic skills. New classes are starting soon. Click here for testing schedule.
In accordance with the Stevens Amendment, the Adult Education and Family Literacy program at Prairie State College is 23% financed with federal funds totaling $230,342.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Imagine being able to meet 18 or more people from countries around the world. This can happen to you if you are a person whose native language is not English. The ESL Program at PSC is for you. Students must be 16 or older in order to register for the grant-funded (free) English classes. The purpose of the program is to teach students skills in speaking, reading, writing, and listening to Standard English. This program is designed to help people make the transition from different countries to American society. Additionally, citizenship preparation, TOEFL review, and job skills materials are taught. Appointments must be made so that prospective students can be tested and registered before classes begin. The eight distinct class levels are determined by test scores. Classes typically meet two mornings or evenings a week for a period of two hours each session. Three hour classes are held on Saturday mornings. Students receive a certificate upon satisfactory completion of a class. For more information contact the Special Projects Assistant, at 708-709-3618.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes are offered for students who need to improve their mathematics and reading abilities. Both day and evening classes are available. Call (708) 709-3720 for more information.
General Education Development (GED) classes are offered for students who need instruction before taking the high school equivalency exam. The course reviews the five areas of study that are tested: English, social studies, science, reading and math. Different levels of classes are available and students need to take a placement test before registering for the GED test. The placement test helps determine what level class is best for the prospective GED student. Day, evening and Saturday classes are available. Call (708) 709-3721 for more information.
The Adult Literacy Institute matches students with trained volunteer tutors for one-on-one reading instruction. The program stresses phonics and literacy problems students face in their everyday lives. Interested students or those wishing to volunteer as a tutor should call (708) 709-3724 for more information.
The Adult Education Computer Program provides free computer training for GED, ABE, ESL and Literacy Students. Students are able to take basic and intermediate computer courses in keyboarding, word processing, internet and office suite applications. We offer two computer training certificates to students who have successfully completed the required courses. For more information call the Computer Coordinator at 708-709-3784.
The Family Learning Institute provides ABE, GED and ESL classes as well as parenting and life skills, PACT (Parent and Child Together) and vocational training. For more information, call (708) 756-4353.
Adult education classes are tuition-free to eligible students through the support of federal and state grant funds.