Adult Learning Center – Strong City Baltimore

For over 30 years, the Adult Learning Center (ALC) has provided high-quality, learner-centered instruction to help Baltimore residents increase their academic skills, employability, and overall quality of life.

Improving adult basic skills is a key component of ensuring that adult learners are productive members of the community.

The  Adult Learning Center provides classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Acquisition (ELA/ESL/ESOL) to Baltimore residents, all at no cost to the learner. Each year we empower over 500 adults to reach their educational, career, and personal goals.

This program is supported by grant funding from Maryland Literacy Works and the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.  

Watch our 10th Annual Achievement Night with a Keynote Speech given by British Robinson, CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

For GED call: (410) 261-3517 For English language classes call: (410) 261-0023

Don't want to start yet? Get on the list for Summer or Fall! Call the numbers above.

Adult Basic Education and English Language Acquisition

Two terms per year in winter and spring

Support for learners’ educational progression

A new space in the Hoen Lithograph Building in East Baltimore

Community volunteers help carry out our mission

Adult Basic Education (ABE)  Adult Basic Education instruction for learners seeking to improve their reading, writing, and math skills or to prepare for the GED exam. Instruction is offered at the following levels:  

English Language Acquisition (ELA/ESOL/ESL)  English language instruction for speakers of other languages. Instruction focuses on vocabulary development, pronunciation, grammar, and fluency at the following levels:  

TOEFL  Instruction for students preparing to take the TOEFL exam, which makes them eligible to study at colleges and universities in the United States. This course is taught virtually. It is a 48 hour course, six hours a week for eight weeks. This is a paid course, at a rate of $450 per student.

Winter/Spring: January 31 – June 10, 2022

Registration is by  appointment only . New learners are accepted up to two weeks into the term. Call 410-261- 3524 or email Jesse Schneiderman at [email protected] for  registration appointments.

You must make an appointment to register for classes. Contact the ALC Office at 410-261-3524 to make an appointment. Registration is a four-hour process. There is a $15 book fee due at registration.  Here are the steps for registering for a GED class:

Everyone is welcome to register regardless of legal status. F-1 and J-1 Visa holders are not eligible to join the program.  If you have a social security number or permanent resident card, please bring it with you, but it is not required.

Registration for all classes takes place at the Hoen Lithograph Building at 2101 E. Biddle Street in Suite 1100.

Classes typically start the week after registration. See class schedule above.  

Call 410-261-3524 for more information.

You must be 18 years or older to join the program. If you are 18 or 19 years old, you must bring official paperwork from your high school indicating that you are officially withdrawn. Learners must bring $15 to registration to pay for their book fee.  

Service providers may refer interested individuals to Adult Learning Center registration events.  Please note that our policy requires clients of referring agencies to contact the Adult Learning Center directly. You can reach the program staff at 410-261-3524 for more information.  

The Adult Learning Center offers various supplemental services to support learners’ educational progression.  

Volunteer tutors work with learners on a one-on-one basis to reinforce classroom instruction. To be eligible for a tutor, learners must be attending classes and receive recommendation by their teacher.  

Volunteer advocates work with learners on a one-on-one or small group basis on non-academic life goals, for instance citizenship preparation and driving permit studying. To be eligible for an advocate, learners must be attending classes and receive recommendation by their teacher.  

As one of the largest adult education programs in Baltimore, we rely heavily on the dedication and commitment of community volunteers to help carry out our mission. Every year, ALC volunteers contribute over 2500 hours volunteering as tutors, classroom assistants, and more to support our learners. For more information on how to become an ALC volunteer, please contact Mandy Chesney at [email protected] or complete the form.

If you are interested in our paid teaching positions (for either Adult Basic Education or English Language), please visit the  Employment  section of our website.  

Strong City Baltimore helps people who do good do more. We believe that Baltimore is made stronger by the work of community-based initiatives and leaders. Through fiscal sponsorship and other capacity-building efforts, we provide financial management and strategic supports that empower grassroots leaders to carry out their vision of community change.

Strong City Baltimore 2101 E. Biddle Street Stone Building Suite 1100 Baltimore, MD 21213

Phone: (410) 261-3500

Looking to rent space at The 29th Street Community Center? Call (443)213-0394

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