Forsyth County observes International
Literacy Day, September 8
Local groups offer free literacy tutoring
and ESL classes
September 5, 2008 – Cumming, GA – September
8th is International Literacy
Day, a day to recognize the importance of
literacy to individuals, communities and
societies. According to the International
Reading Association, more than 780 million
of the world’s adults to not know how to
read or write. Closer to home, 1.3 million
Georgians over the age of 18 do not have a
high school diploma or the equivalent.
According to the 2000 Census, 11,572 Forsyth
County adults lack a high school diploma.
To address adult literacy in our community,
Forsyth County Certified Literate Community
Program (CLCP) partners with the Adult
Learning Center at Lanier Technical
College to deliver free literacy tutoring
and free English classes for county
residents. “The Adult Learning Center and
the CLCP work very closely to provide
programs to address adult literacy,” said
Brenda Thomas, the Associate Vice President
of the Adult Education Program at Lanier
Technical College. “Even affluent counties,
like Forsyth, can reap significant benefits
by raising literacy rates among its
residents.”
Through the Adult Learning Center, adults
seeking their General Education Development
(GED) degree receive tutoring sessions and
access to an extensive library of test
preparation materials, on-line tools, and
practice exams, all at no cost. GED tutoring
sessions are delivered at the Lanier Tech
campus. Non-English language speakers can
receive free English language instruction at
eight levels of proficiency, ranging from
Beginner I to Advanced III. These classes
are also delivered at Lanier Tech as well as
local schools, churches, and community
centers.
To participate in the GED tutoring or
English as a Second Language ESL program,
residents must register in person at the
Adult Learning Center. Registration for
free ESL classes will be held September 29,
from 9 am to 7 pm in Room A 142 at Lanier
Tech. Registration for free GED prep
classes will be held October 20, from noon
to 5 pm in Room A 237 at Lanier Tech. For
more information on either program, please
call the Adult Learning Center at
770-781-6989.
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