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Adult Literacy & Citizenship

Improve  your English or gain citizenship

Mango Languages
Self-paced instruction for 70+ languages, including courses for ESL learners. Lessons contain reading, writing and listening components.

Citizenship Test – Catholic Legal Immigration Network
A study guide for the U.S. citizenship test. Explains the naturalization testing requirements and contains study units on U.S. history and civics.

USCIS – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (también en Español)USCIS is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. USCIS offers a civics practice test  to help you test your knowledge of U.S. history and government:

RapidReads – Library card holders can stream or download ebooks using Washington Anytime Library. Rapid Reads is a series written between a 2.0 and 6.0 reading level. The plots are contemporary and entertaining, with adult language and themes.

Need help using Washington Anytime Library?

Download the Library’s brochure to Learn or Improve Your English (PDF).

The Library’s Adult Basic Education collection includes stories and nonfiction, written for all levels of adult English learners, in a variety of subjects:

Community Organizations

Whatcom Literacy CouncilHelps adults in Whatcom County improve their literacy skills, learn English, and acquire critical skills needed to become more self-sufficient. The Literacy Council offers free, confidential, one-on-one or group tutoring for adults in reading, writing and speaking English, and civics for students learning English.

Goodwill Job Training and Education Center English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are available for people who want to develop basic English literacy or improve their English language skills. Computer labs are open at specific times for students who want to come in and use a computer program called Rosetta Stone to work independently on their English skills.

Free Online Resources to Learn English

Basic ESL – Learn English OnlineImproves an individual’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a simple to follow, proven curriculum. Students learn English quickly and effectively on relevant topics including: family, home, school and many other topics.

U.S.A. LearnsImprove English speaking, pronunciation, listening, reading, spelling, writing and grammar. Watch interesting videos and complete educational activities. U.S.A. Learns is an outgrowth of a project that was conceived by the U.S. Department of Education.

GCF Learn FreeThe Goodwill Community Foundation offers an online English as a Second Language program to help students practice their English vocabulary. Learn new words and practice reading and listening.