Adult Literacy Program

The Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program provides tuition-free classes to all New York State residents who are 18 or older. We offer high school equivalency (GED) classes that will help you prepare for the GED and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to help you improve your English skills. Case management is provided to all students to help connect them to resources while in our program and after.

student in the library

Eligibility Requirements

Our program is funded by the NYS Workforce Innovation andOpportunity Act (WIOA) which allows us to offer our classes free of charge. To join our program, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Must be 18 years old or older.
  2. Must be a New York Resident.
  3. Must have a photo ID (NYS ID, IDNYC, passport, etc.)

International Students: Our program does not process I-20 forms, F-1 Visas, or any other immigration-related documents. For this reason, our program does not accept international students. If you are an international student looking to study English at CUNY, visit the English Language Institutes for International Students.

Students on campus

How to Register

Email us to start the registration process.

  1. Submit an online application.
  2. When registration opens, our staff will email you.
  3. Attend an information session.
  4. Attend registration and take a placement test.
  5. Receive your class details via email.

 

Programs

High School Equivalency (HSE/GED)

The Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program (BCALP) currently has pre-HSE and HSE classes.

BCALP classes prepare you for all areas of the TASC:

  • Essay/Writing
  • Social Studies
  • Language Arts/Reading
  • Science
  • Mathematics

Our program offers both daytime and evening classes depending on your level. All of our classes are subject to change. Below is a past example of our schedule:

Daytime Classes (3 days a week, 9 a.m.–noon)

  • Level 4
  • Level 5

Evening Classes (3 days a week, 6–9 p.m.)

  • Level 4
  • Level 5

 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Our goal is to help you improve your English for academic, business, professional, or personal use. Classes focus on:

  • Speaking and Pronunciation
  • Grammar
  • Writing
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading

Our program offers both daytime and evening classes depending on your level. All of our classes are subject to change. Below is a past example of our schedule:

Daytime Classes (2 days a week, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.)

  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5

Evening Classes (2 days a week, 6–9 p.m.)

  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5

About Us

The Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program (BCALP) was founded in 1987. BCALP provides tuition-free ESOL, High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) preparation, and pre-HSE/GED services to more than 400 adults each year. Students enter the program with a variety of goals, from learning English to earning the credentials necessary for access to gainful employment or higher education. Case management is provided to help all students plan and implement the next steps toward college or careers.

Our staff of dedicated, experienced professionals present a variety of opportunities for learning. BCALP students are active learners who take responsibility for their education. Our students’ successes begin in a class where they find a positive learning environment that includes cooperative hands-on activities, partner work, and group projects to help them understand and absorb new material.

BCALP teachers align their instruction to the requirements of the highest educational standards and take advantage of many of the resources available on the college campus as well as those available throughout New York City.

Our HSE test pass rate consistently exceeds the New York State Education Department’s annual benchmarks. To date, 1,286 individuals have earned a high school equivalency diploma after completing the Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program. Currently, 351 BCALP graduates are attending or have completed college.

Contact Us

Adult Literacy Program

Brooklyn College
0304 James Hall
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

E: adultliteracy@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.6973

Staff

Alexis Morales, Co-Director and Case Manager
E: alexis.morales@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Keesha Rada, Co-Director and Data Manager
E: keesha.pia@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Victor Pajarito Xochmitl, Program and GED Test Center Coordinator
E: victor.px@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Brooklyn. All in.