Adult Learning Center

The Adult Learning Center in Utica provides English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to residents of the Utica area, many of whom are newly arrived refugees from more than 25 different countries. The Adult Learning Center, which is a program of the Utica City School District, is developing a pilot program for the New York State Department of Education to create a community wide "Literacy Zone." This Literacy Zone will initially focus on the needs of adults whose first language is not English, and will evolve into a program that will benefit all adults in the community.

In the summer of 2007, Sarah Lee, '08, designed and implemented a Literacy Directory for Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties. She contacted literacy providers in the area and compiled their information in a user friendly format. The directory will allow literacy providers in the area to find appropriate and available literacy programs for their clients. She also prepared a presentation that enabled ALC staff to teach their students how to use digital cameras.