BY THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Seattle Public Library has good news for English language learners in Seattle. The Library has been awarded a $450,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to expand its English language learning programs over the next two years. With this funding, the Library will be able to add programs including:  

• English Conversation Circles, which offer a welcoming place for learners to practice English skills. 
• English classes, including an advanced ESL class to help participants prepare for college. 
• Adult tutoring sessions, with one-on-one and small group instruction in English, citizenship and basic skills. 
• Computer classes in multiple languages that allow students to earn a laptop.   

Some programs will be offered virtually and some will include childcare. The Library will begin to offer several new programs beginning this fall. It will add even more programs over the two-year grant period.  

English language learning programs are currently offered at the Beacon Hill, Broadview, Delridge, Lake City, NewHolly, Northgate and Rainier Beach branches of The Seattle Public Library.   

Programs will be added to the Central Library, and to the International District/Chinatown, High Point, South Park and Southwest branches. 

To offer these programs, SPL partners with trusted local organizations, such as Evergreen Goodwill, Hopelink, Literacy Source, Seattle Colleges, and Villa Comunitaria.   

More information about these programs will be available beginning this fall on the Library’s Adult Learning page. Some programs will be on the calendar at spl.org/Calendar.