Adult Literacy

Roles and Goals

Curriculum and resources to support tutors in creating sessions and lesson plans.

Roles and Goals Curriculum

“Roles and Goals” is the curriculum tutors use to help learners achieve their literacy goals. The resources below can be used to help create tutoring sessions and lesson plans.

Community Member/Citizen Outcomes

Community Member (PDF) – Here are resources selected by experienced staff. These resources were selected for volunteers to use with learners either in a one-on-one tutoring relationship or in a class setting.

Access community resources:

Get involved in the community:

Get a driver’s license:

  • Get a driver's license (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Driving Tests - Get free access to practice tests for Class C, Commercial, and Motorcycle license tests from Driving-Tests.org in English, Spanish, and Russian (library card required).
  • California DMV Practice Tests - Tips and practice desks from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Become a citizen:

  • Become a Citizen (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • New Americans Services - Free services for immigrants from the Los Angeles Public Library. Appointments are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, or Persian/Farsi. You can also make an appointment to go to a New Americans Center or to talk to a service provider on the telephone.

Vote:

Family Member Outcomes

Family Member (PDF) – Here are resources selected by experienced staff. These resources were selected for volunteers to use with learners either in a one-on-one tutoring relationship or in a class setting.

Help a family member with homework and studying:

  • Help a family member with homework and studying (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.
  • Free Online Tutoring - Connecting with an online tutor is easy and free at the library. Professionally trained and experienced tutors work online with students in grades K-12 and adult learners. The student and tutor communicate in a virtual classroom with chat and two-way whiteboards (library card required).
  • Storytimes - Scheduled storytimes for all aged children at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Read a medicine label (or other health-related documents):

Improve financial skills:

  • Pay My Bills (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.

Build confidence speaking with or for my family:

Access help with family legal documents (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.

Lifelong Learner Outcomes

Lifelong Learner (PDF) – Here are resources selected by experienced staff. These resources were selected for volunteers to use with learners either in a one-on-one tutoring relationship or in a class setting.

Learn the alphabet, letters, and sounds:

Read a book, magazine, or news:

  • News for You - Online and print news source for adult learners accessible on any device. Readers build reading skills in the context of current events.
  • Easy English News – A monthly newspaper written in simple English by expert ESL writers. It is aimed at intermediate English language learners aged 10 to adult. It is also an excellent resource for students in reading assistance programs, social studies programs, and citizenship programs. Great for walk-in tutors and conversation classes.

Write a letter, poem, story, or essay:

  • Tutor Ready Writing - Resources for tutoring adults in writing. Resources are based on common questions from adult literacy tutors, collected research, and decades of tutoring experience.

Use new technology skills:

  • Cybernauts - Trained computer aides at the library who offer technology assistance, computer support, and mobile device support.
  • Discovery Curso de PC - PC Discovery Course offers more than 100 practical video courses in Spanish, with step-by-step instructions to master everything from the basic to the most advanced tools on your PC (library card required).

Use the library:

  • Use the Library (PDF) - California Library Literacy Services lesson plan.

Get a diploma:

  • Career Online High School - Free diploma program from the Los Angeles Public Library for adults age 19 and older who live in Los Angeles or work for the City of Los Angeles. U.S. citizenship is NOT required.
  • High School Equivalency Tests - California Department of Education. Information on different high school equivalency tests, including the GED, HiSet, and TASC.
  • GED Testing Service - Official online resource to prepare for and earn your high school equivalency diploma.
  • Peterson’s Test Prep - GED practice tests and study materials (library card required).

Improve communication skills:

Worker Outcomes

Worker (PDF) – Here are resources selected by experienced staff. These resources were selected for volunteers to use with learners either in a one-on-one tutoring relationship or in a class setting.

Apply for a job:

Perform current job better:

Get a license or certificate for work:

Other Goals: