Culpeper Literacy Council

Culpeper Literacy Council’s vision is to build a stronger community by empowering adults to improve their quality of life through literacy instruction.

Our mission is to help adults within the Culpeper community develop their abilities to effectively communicate in English.  This includes skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing English, as well as mathematics skills and computer use.

We firmly believe that our adult learners strive to become self-sustaining citizens who want to positively contribute to their communities in which they live and work. Culpeper Literacy Council not only equips adult learners with knowledge, but more importantly, we help them gain courage and hope for a better future - for themselves and their families.

More About Us

Our learners come to us from the United States and all over the world. There are over 26 countries represented through our students at any given time. The majority of our students are from Central and South America, but we also have students from Europe, Africa and Asia.

Our learners come to us with goals of: better communication with family and friends, discussing a child’s progress with their teacher, understanding how to navigate the medical system, finding a better job or just being able to read a book to a child. The issue of adult literacy is real and relevant to everyone’s daily life. Culpeper Literacy Council helps with this urgent need. We teach our learners basic skills to help them communicate throughout the many facets of their daily lives.

Our tutors are volunteers from the community who give their time to teach learners or run the office. CLC could not survive without its dedicated volunteers. Because of them, we are able to hold classes in the morning and evening, Monday through Friday. Our tutors teach classes, work in small groups or meet with learners one-on-one to best serve their needs. Their caring and dedication is amazing!

We have three programs to assist our learners.

The Adult Basic Education Program provides one-on-one tutoring to adults wishing to learn how to read or improve their literacy skills. Digital Literacy skills are also provided. CLC also provides the local Adult Detention Center with tutors for inmates who want to obtain their GED. One-on-one tutoring is provided and when ready, learners have the opportunity to the GED test.

The English as a Second Language Program is offered throughout the week. All tutors use the curriculum English in Action published by National Geographic. Classes are structured to groups learners with others at similar ability levels. In each class, learners have the chance to practice skills in reading, writing, speaking and comprehension. The curriculum is enhanced by audio and video files used in the lessons.

The American Citizenship Test Preparation Class is an individual or small group learning environment. Tutors teach history, geography and civics to prepare learners for taking the citizenship test. In the past year six of our learners have become American citizens!

Testimonials

From Our Tutors:
"Imagine being in your sixties and navigating life unable to read, but always, always having the desire to learn. My student treasures a battered copy of Dick and Jane which was given to her by a friend years ago. She has struggled throughout her life and only vaguely remembers attending school for a short time. Her goals are to read to her one year old grandson, to use a calendar, to read the aisle headings in Wal-Mart and so much more!"

"For the last several months, our team of tutors has been working with two learners from Africa. It has been interesting seeing the American culture from a different perspective. Our learners are at different levels of English language aptitude, yet eager to progress. We explored different ways to meet their needs, through classroom lessons, navigating social services and the medical establishment, and basic needs such as grocery shopping and the DMV. This has been as rewarding for us, the tutors, as for the learners."

From Our Students:
"The Literacy Council is the place where I found the help I needed to improve my English. The teachers are always listening to my particular needs and looks for ways to give me the tools I need to apply them in my daily activities. I also like the flexible hours of classes they offer."

"The Literacy Council is a pretty good place for people to learn English. The teachers are great and very nice with people who don't understand. When I have a question in the middle of class, the teachers stops and takes time to explain it to me. I think the Literacy Council is a perfect place for me to improve my English."

"I have been attending English classes for the last 4 years. When I started I knew just a few words but I couldn't speak or write in English. In class we learn verbs, nouns, and prepositions. We make sentences and read too. This is a great class if you want to learn!"