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Whatcom Literacy Council offers free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Programs & Classes The Whatcom Literacy Council offers a variety of free programs and classes to those living in Whatcom County. OUR FREE PROGRAMS PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM Free tutoring for English-speaking adults to improve reading and writing skills, prepare for a GED test, or learn basic computer skills. Improve Literacy ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER Free tutoring for adults who speak another language and want to learn or improve their English language skills. Learn English SMALL GROUP CLASSES Free small classes for adults to practice English, learn computers, prepare for citizenship or the GED. Take a Class

Whatcom Literacy Council is governed by a group of dedicated Board Members who keep our organization focused on its mission teaching free English Language Learner programs and more to adults in Whatcom County. About Us The Whatcom Literacy Council is governed by a group of dedicated volunteers who keep the organization focused on its mission, and are responsible for fiduciary oversight. Board Members INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR BOARD? Learn More President Paqui Paredes Méndez Professor of Spanish Modern & Classical Languages Department Western Washington University Vice President Michael Cox Deputy Director Whatcom County Library System Treasurer Kaitlyn Gilmore Staff Accountant and CPA Archer Halliday PS, CPAs Secretary Carol Choulochas English Teacher, National Sales Rep, Hiring and Training Manager, retired Members Dr. Bill Gerritz International School S uperintendent & Graduate School Faculty, retired Bangkok/The Netherlands/Venezuela Trang Nguyen Tax Associate Larson Gross CPA (a former client, originally from Vietn am) Andres Parra Community Health Worker Catholic Community Services (former client, originally from Colombia) Brian Aguilar Ferndale Branch Manager, US Bank Stu Andrade Resource Navigator, Immigrant Resources & Immediate Support (IRIS) Brent Carbajal, PHD Professor Emeritus of Spanish, Western Washington University Catalina Hope Senior Instructor, Whatcom Community College Become a Board Member Do you have a passion for helping your community? We welcome new Board Members who are willing to dedicate their knowledge, experience, and perspective to help us remain focused on our mission and financially responsible. Board Members typically commit to a minimum of three to eight hours of service per month, and are required to serve a minimum three year term. Board members meet monthly, on the third Monday of each month, from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm, except during July. If you are interested in joining this important group of individuals, please click on the two buttons below to learn more, complete an application, and email it to director@whatcomliteracy.org . We will respond with more information and an overview of upcoming openings. Roles & Responsibilities Board Application

Find a wealth of information and resources collected by Whatcom Literacy Council to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Resources The Whatcom Literacy Council offers a wealth of helpful resources for everyone involved in learning. PROVIDING THE TOOLS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY LEARN FOR LEARNERS These websites offer all sorts of free classes, exercises, and activities to help you learn. Learner Toolbox FOR VOLUNTEERS Comprehensive resources to help you learn, grow, and excel at teaching and tutoring. Volunteer Toolbox FOR EVERYONE From local community organizations and resources, to recommended books... More Resources RESOURCES FOR LEARNERS English Language Learning (ELL) USA Learns is a free website for adults to learn English and improve their basic reading, writing, speaking, and life skills. Reading and Literacy TV411 is a collection of entertaining videos and engaging web activities, all designed to help you reach your learning goals. Options include reading for success, fine-tuning your writing, expanding your vocabulary, getting a grip on math, and exploring science. General Education Diploma (GED) The PBS Literacy Link - GED Connection offers a variety of activities that you can do on your own or with a tutor. Anyone can set up a user name and log in... even tutors can register as a new teacher to review student’s work. Computers GFC Learn Free offers f ree computer courses for beginners – including typing, using the internet, doing e-mail, and learning Microsoft Office software. RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEERS Monthly Report Forms ELL Tutor/Learner Progress Report ALP Tutor/Learner Progress Report List of Useful Websites for Tutors Bellingham Public Library Adult Basic Education Collection ProLiteracy Education Network Hopelink Adult Education/Eastside Literacy GED Educator Handbook Useful textbooks for ELL learners Learner Study Skills and Homework Ideas RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE Community Resources Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Whatcom Community College (WCC) Whatcom County Library System Bellingham Public Library Goodwill Job Training & Education Center Book Recommendations The following books were recommended by Nancy Pearl , an American librarian, best-selling author, literary critic, well known speaker and the former Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library.. Please consider purchasing them from our supporting partner Village Books , or borrowing them from the Whatcom County Library ! Nancy Pearl, by Susan Doupé Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann Colored Television by Danzy Senna Dayswork by Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary The Wedding People by Alison Espach Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason The Bodyguard by Katherine Center The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis by Maria Smilios Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II by Elyse Graham The Daughters Of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War by Catherine Grace Katz

Whatcom Literacy Council offers free Adult Literacy tutoring services for English-speaking adults looking for help with basic reading and writing, GED test preparation, and basic computer skills. Programs & Classes Improve Basic Literacy Skills Free tutoring for English-speaking adults who want to improve their skills. FREE ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM (ALP) IN WHATCOM COUNTY Our Adult Literacy Program offers free tutoring services for English-speaking adults looking for help with basic reading and writing skills, GED test preparation, and/or basic computer skills. How it Works Learners are carefully assigned to a volunteer tutor. that best matches their needs. The tutor will help the learner identify their goals. Learners will meet with this tutor two times per week to work on these goals together. Each tutoring session is coordinated at a time that fits the learner's schedule. Each tutoring session is held in a public location within the learner's community. All tutoring is customized and confidential. Contact Ashley Meyer Adult Literacy Program (ALP) Coordinator she/her/hers alp@whatcomliteracy.org (360) 752-8681 Languages Spoken: English What You Can Achieve Learn or improve basic reading and writing skills. Prepare for a GED (General Educational Development) test. Learn or improve basic computer skills. Increase employment opportunities. Gain the skills necessary to continue your education. Enjoy reading for daily life. Improve your parenting skills.

Register to attend our event at Whatcom Literacy Council in support of English Language Learner programs in Whatcom County. Registration Name of Event goes here; change out the photo as needed. Saturday March 14 Starting at 6:00 pm TAG LINE ABOUT EVENT GOES HERE Upcoming Event Title Click on "Edit Text" to edit this content with relevant event details or information that you want to share with people. On this page, you can go into more detail about the event, list speakers, show sponsors (set up as a gallery or simply add a collage of their logos), list auction items, etc. To swap out the photo at left, click the image until you see the white button "change column background" (not change strip background) and then choose the "image" option. Register Today! Paste your jotform code into the grey box below to make your registration form appear. Adjust the box size as needed.

Whatcom Literacy Council offers free small group classes to adults looking to improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Volunteer With Us Help small groups of adults work together to learn and improve. Small Group Facilitator SMALL GROUP FACILITATORS HELP ADULTS LEARN MORE... TOGETHER! SMALL GROUP FACILITATORS Whatcom Literacy Council volunteers work with small groups of adults to help them learn and build social skills in the following areas: Talk Time: practicing English conversation. Preparing for the GED (General Education Diploma). Preparing for the Citizenship test. Learning and improving basic computer skills. Open Computer Lab: learning to use online educational resources. Step 1 View the Job Description for becoming a Small Group Class Facilitator . Step 2 Complete our Volunteer Application. Step 3 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow.

Whatcom Literacy Council provides one-to-one tutors to help people learn the English language or improve their literacy skillscitizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Volunteer With Us The Whatcom Literacy Council relies on the dedication of volunteer tutors to help adult learners reach their goals and strengthen our community. One-to-One Tutor TUTORS EMPOWER LITERACY IN WHATCOM COUNTY Our tutors work with two types of learners at Whatcom Literacy Council: those who wish to learn the English language, and those who already speak English but need help improving their reading and writing skills. Learn more about each program below. TUTOR Change a life forever as a volunteer tutor. Step 1 Watch both Orientation videos below to learn about Whatcom Literacy Council, the two types of tutoring programs we offer, and the process for becoming a tutor. If needed, you can enable closed captioning by clicking the "CC" icon in the bottom right corner of the YouTube video. Step 2 View the Job Description for becoming a One-to-One Tutor. Step 3 Complete our Volunteer Application . Step 4 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow.

Whatcom Literacy Council offers free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Volunteer With Us Support instructors who are teaching basic English at our local colleges. Classroom Assistant CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS HELP OUT IN ENGLISH CLASSES CLASSROOM ASSISTANT Whatcom Literacy Council provides trained volunteers to help out in classrooms at Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College at their instructors' request. These programs help their students be more successful and on track to graduate. Examples of the typical range of tasks our assistants provide include: Help the instructor prepare materials and make copies Help the instructor present information Provide classroom tutoring Lead small break-out groups Monitor students Offer encouragement to students Step 1 View the Job Description for becoming a Classroom Assisstant. Step 2 Complete our Volunteer Application. Step 3 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow. Need More Information? Contact us at (360) 752-8678 or send us an email.

Whatcom Literacy Council staff work part-time. Please make an appointment if you need to speak to someone in person. Contact Us By Phone: (360) 752-8678 By Email: info@whatcomliteracy.org Our staff work part-time. Please schedule an appointment if you want to meet someone in person. Physical Office On Bellingham Technical College campus 3028 Lindbergh Avenue Building A Bellingham, WA 98225 Mailing Address PO Box 1292 Bellingham, WA 98227 For instructions on how to use TTY Services, please go to the Washington Relay website. For TTY Telephone access, please dial 7-1-1. Public Transportation Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Bus #3 (to Maplewood/Cordata) and Bus #4 (Maplewood to Downtown) serves the BTC campus. The main bus stop for the BTC campus is located on Lindbergh Avenue, in front of the Haskell Center (HC) building.

From our annual Literacy Breakfast and other fundraisers, to regular classes throughout the year, stay up to date with Whatcom Literacy Council through our monthly newsletters and other programs. News & Events Stay up to date with Whatcom Literacy Council fundraisers, news, and events. Sign Up for Our Newsletter 2025 Literacy Breakfast FREE CLASSES FOR ADULT LEARNERS Click Here for Current Class Schedule Nancy Pearl's Book List These are the recommendations from Nancy Pearl to add to your reading list for 2026! Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino The Crazies by Amy Gamerman Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Flashlight by Susan Choi The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo Giant Love by Julie Gilbert The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater Lula Dean's Little Library of Banner Books by Kirsten Miller Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser Old Filth Trilogy by Jane Gardam Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Sacrament by Susan Straight In The Country of Women by Susan Straight The Strangers by Ekow Eshun Tilt by Emma Pattee A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy If these titles interest you, consider buying them from our favorite local bookstore, Village Books , or check out a copy from your local library! NEWSLETTERS View Our Most Recent Newsletter

Whatcom Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Tax ID: 91-1220307 We empower adults in Whatcom County to achieve their goals and improve their lives with free literacy programs. FREE LITERACY PROGRAMS IN WHATCOM COUNTY LEARN Need help with reading or writing? Need help learning English? Come learn FOR FREE at Whatcom Literacy Council! Learn With Us TUTOR Change a life forever as a volunteer tutor or class facilitator. We welcome tutors of all ages and backgrounds! Become a Tutor ASSIST Not ready to take the lead in teaching just yet? Become a volunteer classroom assistant for local college instructors teaching basic English. Assist Instructors We Change People's Lives Roughly two thirds of the people we serve are immigrants who are learning English for the first time. More than half of our learners have no high school diploma or GED, and the majority have no computer at home. Our free, customized, individual tutoring and small group classes make a difference in their lives by... Improving their basic reading, writing, math, computer, and parenting skills. Helping them prepare for a GED test and/or f urther their education. Helping them attain US citizenship. Increasing their employment opportunities. Enabling self-sufficiency. Enhancing the stability of their daily lives. One of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty is to invest in adult education. Success Stories We Promote Equity through Literacy Literacy is one of the most basic of needs. Limited literacy skills are a major contributor to poverty, and a barrier for those marginalized by race and economic status. One of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty is to invest in literacy and adult education. Literate adults are more stable and equipped to help themselves and their families, making our community healthier for everyone. Without literacy, there is no social justice. Literacy gives people a voice to advocate for themselves and their communities about issues that matter, enables them to vote, empowers them to rise above discrimination, and helps their children succeed in school. The Whatcom Literacy Council strives to be a model nonprofit champion of racial equity and social justice. About Us Our Programs IN GRATITUDE TO OUR SPONSORS To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL FEEDS

Get answers to your questions about becoming a volunteer tutor, small group class facilitator, or classroom assistant for Whatcom Literacy Council's free English Language Learner tutoring to help adults in Whatcom County. Frequently Asked Questions For Volunteers Interested in becoming a volunteer with Whatcom Literacy Council? Find answers to the most common questions below. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) FOR VOLUNTEERS ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.