Permian Basin Literacy Center opens fall enrollment

For 40 years, the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center has been changing the lives of Permian Basin residents by providing services such as tutoring, small group instruction, and online English language learning opportunities.

The center is currently accepting students again for its fall literacy classes. These literacy classes aim to help those who want to improve or expand their English language and reading and writing skills.

According to the center, census data show that 40% of adults in Odessa and Midland, on average, have limited English proficiency, limiting the ability of nearly 72,000 adults to read, write, speak and understand the English language at home, at work or in settings such as doctor’s offices, grocery stores or their children’s school.

While enrollment at the center has officially begun, fall adult literacy classes begin on Monday, August 12.

Students can enroll by applying at https://pbalc.org/students/.

The center’s literacy program is available to adults ages 18 and older. After enrolling, students go through an assessment process to determine the curriculum and courses they need to take to meet their literacy goals. Alternatively, students may be assigned to a trained tutor who will guide them through classes.

“The work we do with our students is very individualized. We meet them where they are and develop a concrete plan to get them from where they are to where they want to go,” said Andrea De Jong, the center’s program coordinator, in a press release.

Students must pay a $25 registration fee once a year. The registration deadline for the fall adult literacy courses is Thursday, August 29. Students interested in courses are encouraged to register early to avoid waitlists.

“We have been driving lasting change for adults, their families and our communities in the Permian Basin for four decades,” said Alba Austin, the center’s executive director. “When adults in our region improve their literacy skills, they are better equipped to find and advance in jobs, enjoy better living and health outcomes, and pursue higher education and job training.”

The focus is on the student-oriented mission.

“Understanding a language is key to understanding and adapting to a culture,” says volunteer teacher Erik Schofer. “We not only help our students improve their language skills, but we also provide them with the opportunity to understand and succeed in an English-speaking culture.”

The center’s additional services include year-round tutoring and small group instruction for English Language Arts (ELL) and Adult Education and Literacy (AEL).

“In the last year alone, 72% of our regular students achieved a personal or professional goal and 66% of them improved their grades by one or more levels,” said De Jong. “This has a profound impact on their lives and the lives of their families. And it is transforming jobs and employment, health care, and educational institutions and opportunities.”

An application for the Literacy Center can be submitted at https://pbalc.org/students/. If you have questions about enrollment, please contact Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center Program Coordinator Andrea De Jong at [email protected] or 432-682-9693.