Literacy Network

Community Literacy is one of Literacy Network’s signature English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring programs. Meeting on a weekly basis with their own tutor, adult learners in this program come to Literacy Network with a variety of skills and goals. Personalized lessons allow students to work on concrete tasks with their tutor like creating a resume, learning English to have a parent-teacher conference, or understanding directions at work. Students learn at their own pace and practice skills they can use right away in the community and at work.

Multiple classes of Community Literacy, involving over 100 tutoring pairs, are managed by dedicated interns responsible for coordinating the class and writing individualized lessons for each learner based on their personal goals and level.

Students are paired with volunteer tutors to work towards their literacy goals. The pairs meet on a schedule that meets their needs and at a location most convenient for them. Tutors are trained to support their student to achieve their goals.

Community English classes provided ESL instruction to 500 adults in 2023 so that they could engage in their familys education, advocate for their familys needs, and participate in their local communities. Currently, 11 multi-level classes are supported by 10 school, library, and community center partners throughout Dane County. Curriculum topics are based on students goals and often include conversation, calling a child in sick, and scheduling appointments.

Literacy Network offers English for Citizenship classes for legal permanent residents living in Dane County. Meeting twice weekly, these classes cover the U.S. civics and language skills necessary to pass the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization interview and test. Once students in the group class successfully complete a semester of class and submit their application for naturalization to USCIS, they can be matched with a personal tutor for additional practice leading up to their interview. Students in Literacy Network's programs seek citizenship for many reasons, including to enhance their work opportunities, receive federal benefits such as financial aid for college, and become more involved in civic life.

Essentials (skills for computers and literacy for employment) is a program for adults, usually native English speakers, who would like to build their reading, writing and computer skills. In the Essential Program, students work one on one with a tutor in a classroom setting once a week toward a variety of goals. Oftentimes, learners' goals are to strengthen computer skills for employment, hone study and reading skills for further education, or generally achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

Literacy Network trains and matches tutors with adults in the Madison community who want to achieve their GED or HSED (High School Equivalency Diploma). Recognizing the traditional classroom format is not for everyone, Literacy Network offers a one-on-one approach to meet each student’s specific needs and also trains and places tutors in Madison College’s GED/HSED Program.

Students come seeking their high school credential for many reasons, including preparing for higher education, improving their career outlook, and proving to themselves and their loved ones that they can achieve this.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and Centro Hispano, Literacy Network offers introductory English classes for newly-arrived and resettled refugees. Working with refugee populations from across the world, our program assists refugees in learning the English language skills and cultural information needed to navigate life in the United States and be successful in their employment, community life, education, and civic engagement. We also provided ongoing educational support and referrals to internal and external programs as needed.

Transitions provides personalized support, education, and career advising to help adults succeed at Madison College. The program supports higher-level English Language Learners by providing rigorous English language, literacy, critical thinking and academic skill development. Participants receive personalized advising services to create a plan and identify resources to reach their educational and career goals.

Workplace English classes offer customized on-site English language instruction to support employees' communication on the job. The curriculum is tailored to meet an employer's specific goals. It's an investment in increasing safety, productivity, performance, and morale.

In the past 15 years, Literacy Network has collaborated with employers throughout Dane County in:

-manufacturing
-construction
-hospitality
-cleaning services
-food service industries

Three Literacy Network partners have received the Wisconsin Literacy statewide award for Outstanding Workplace Literacy Programs: North Central Group (2018), Future Foam (2014), and UW Hospital (2007).