ESL/GED Students Reach Higher

The HSE/GED Fall 2023 registration is now closed. Please complete the registration interest form below to receive information on our Spring 2024 semester.

The ESL/ GED en Espanol Fall 2023 registration is now closed. Please complete the registration interest form below to receive information on our Spring 2024 semester.


 

ADULT EDUCATION OVERVIEW
Prairie State College offers adult education classes free of charge to eligible individuals in need of basic education, preparation for the Illinois high school equivalency exam, English language proficiency, or one-on-one tutoring. Classes are available morning and evenings in the Adult Training and Outreach Center (ATOC).

ADULT LITERACY OVERVIEW
The adult literacy project is free of charge to eligible individuals who prefer one-on-one or small group tutoring in math, reading and writing. The Tutor Center is located in the Adult Training and Outreach Center (ATOC) in A142.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Directions to Adult Training and Outreach Center (ATOC)


Adult Education Faculty and Staff

Kim Marisa Kunce
Dean, Adult Education and Literacy
kkunce@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-3684
Office: ATOC 105

Elda Godinez
Administrative Assistant, Adult Education and Literacy
egodinez@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-3719
Office: ATOC 104

Vicky Garcia
Career Pathways Advisor, Adult Education and Literacy
vgarcia2@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-3721
Office: ATOC 129

Kisha Brown
Adult Literacy Coordinator, Adult Education and Literacy
nbrown1@prairiestate.edu

Phone: (708) 709-3724
Office: ATOC 138

Adult Literacy Request for Information

Jennifer Eick-Magan
Associate Professor / Coordinator, English as a Second Language
jeick-magan@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-3722
Office: ATOC 124

Angioletta Maltbia
ABE/GED Student Services Specialist, Adult Education and Literacy
amaltbia@prairiestate.edu
Phone: (708) 709-7931
Office: ATOC 127
ABE/High School Equivalency Request for Information

Yesenia Garcia
ESL Student Services Specialist, Adult Education and Literacy
ygarcia2@prairiestate.edu 
Phone:(708) 709-3790
Office: ATOC 125
ESL Request for Information/Para más información

Laura Guill
 Assistant Professor / Coordinator, Adult Basic and Secondary Education
lguill@prairiestate.edu 
Phone: (708) 709-7910
Office: ATOC 126

How much do classes cost?
$0

When is registration?
Registrations are held before the Fall and spring semesters. To complete the Interest Form or Registration Form, please click here.

When do classes meet?
Math, reading, and English as a Second language classes meet twice per week. Classes are offered morning (9:30 am - 12:20 pm) and evening (6:30 pm - 9:20 pm).

Do I need to buy books for my class?
No. Books and other class materials are provided by the Adult Education and Literacy program.

What do I need to register for classes?

  • Complete the Interest or Registration form
  • Provide a valid state ID with a photo
  • Arrive on time to assessment/orientation
  • Do not bring children (for on campus registrations)

Who is allowed to take basic math and reading courses?
Individuals 16 years and older with or without a high school diploma are eligible.

What are Bridge courses?
Bridge courses prepare students to improve their reading, writing and English skills while learning about various careers.

Do you offer online classes?
Yes, we offer classes both online and on campus, morning and evening.

 What does ESL mean?
English as a Second Language.

 What does ABE mean?
Adult Basic Education.

 What does HSE mean?
High School Equivalency (*GED is often used in place of HSE).

How long will it take me to learn English?
Language learning is different for everyone.

What ESL classes do you offer?
Six levels of ESL:
(Note: Each level takes approximately one year to complete.)

  1. Beginning 1
  2. Beginning 2
  3. Intermediate 1
  4. Intermediate 2
  5. Advanced
  6. Advanced Reading and Writing
  • Citizenship Training

Who is allowed to register for ESL classes?
Non-native English speaking adults 18 and older may attend ESL classes regardless of immigration status. 16-17 year olds who have not completed high school may register but must provide a Letter of Separation from a US high school.

What Adult Education classes do you offer?

  • Adult Basic Education classes in math and reading/writing (eligible to individuals with or without a high school diploma)
  • Adult Secondary Education classes (GED) in math, reading, writing, Science and Social Studies
  • Bridge to Careers programs (contextualized instruction while learning about various careers)
  • College preparation reading classes
  • College preparation math classes (pending)
  • GED en Espanol
Who is allowed to register for Adult Education classes?

  • Adults 16 years and older who do not have a high school diploma. 16-17 year adults who have not completed high school may register but must provide a Letter of Separation from their high school and must attend an orientation session.
  • Adults with a high school diploma who want to improve their reading, writing and math skills.
  • Adults who want to improve their English speaking, writing, and listening skills (ESL).

How do I take the GED test?
Go to www.gedtestingservice.com and set up a myGED account.

Who is allowed to register for GED classes?
Adults 18 years and older who do not have a high school credential. 16-17 year olds who have not completed high school may register but must provide a Letter of Separation from their high school and must attend an orientation session.

Addictions

South Suburban Council for Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, 1909 Checker Avenue, Hazel Crest / 708.647.3333
Haymarket Center (Chemical Dependence Treatment Programs) / http://www.hcenter.org. / 312.226.7984
Rosecrance Adolescent Substance Abuse, Frankfort, IL / 815.391.1000

Adult Literacy Services

Adult Literacy @ Prairie State College
Nikisha Brown / 708.709.3724 / nbrown1@prairiestate.edu

Cancer Support

708.798.9171 / Cancersupportcenter.org

Career Services/Unemployment Support

National Able / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org
IDES / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org

Charities

Catholic Charities (non-denominational) / 312.655.7459 (Spanish) / 708.333.8379 / 877.426.6515

Childcare

Illinois Action for Children / 312.823.1100 / https://www.actforchildren.org

Childcare and Assistance

Action for Children Child Care Resource and Referral / http://www.actforchilcren.org
Illinois All Kids Insurance Program / https://allkidscovered.com
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) / https://www.womeninfantschildrenoffice.com/Illinois-wic-application-wa13

Counseling

Access Psychological Services, South Holland, IL (assessments, individual, couple and family therapy, anger management, bereavement, etc. Medicaid accepted and sliding fee scale) / 708.825.1986 / http://www.ctfillinois.org/what_we_do/access-psychological-services.html
Aunt Martha’s (provides various mental health services including psychiatric assessments and treatment) / 877.692.8686 (main line) / https://www.auntmarthas.org
Bloom Township (residents only), 425 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights,IL ($10 per session)
Governors State University (individual, group, family), University Park, IL / 708.534.4545 / 708.444.1012
Grand Prairie Services (individual and family counseling , sliding fee scale ) / 708.444.1012 (various locations) / gpsbh.org
Sertoma at The Living Room, Matteson, IL (provides FREE counseling from 4-8 pm) / 708.748.1951 / https://sertomacentre.org/services
Ingalls Memorial Drive / 708.333.2300 / ingalls.org/behavioral-health.aspx
Sertoma Center / 708.478.1951

Clothing (emergency need)

Respond Now / 708.755.4357
PSC Student Career Development Center / 708.709.3755

Childcare and Assistance

Action for Children Child Care Resource and Referral / http://www.actforchilcren.org
Illinois All Kids Insurance Program / https://allkidscovered.com
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) / https://www.womeninfantschildrenoffice.com/Illinois-wic-application-wa13

Dating Violence

South Suburban Family Shelter (domestic violence) / 708.798.7737
South Suburban YWCA (therapeutic help and advocacy for sexual assault ) / 708.754.0486

Dental

Aunt Martha’s / 877.692.8686
Prairie State College Dental Hygiene Clinic / 708.709.3707

Access and Disability Services

Prairie State College / Shelley Tekeste / 708.709.3603 / stekeste@prairiestate.edu
Vocational Rehabilitation / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC 708.709.7970 /

Displaced Workers

National Able / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC / 708.709.7970

Domestic Violence

Crisis Center for South Suburbia / 708.429.7233 (English and Spanish) /708.429.7255
South Suburban Family Shelter / 708.335.3028 (English and Spanish hotline)

Emergency Assistance

Catholic Charities, South Suburban Region, 16100 Seton Drive, South Holland, IL / 708.333.8379
Jones Center, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.4357 / www.respondnow.org
Greater Chicago Food Depository Agency / https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org
Respond Now, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.HLP / www.respondnow.org

Employment/Career Services

Chicago Heights Park District Job Fair (yearly), 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL
National Able / South Suburban Cook County American Job Center @ PSC / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org

Food Pantries

Bloom Township Office (must be a Bloom Township resident) / 708.754.9400, 425 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL / M 3-7 pm/W 10-2 pm
Chicago Heights Park District (every 4th of the month @ 9 am), 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL / 708.755.1351
Emmanuel Church (every 2nd Wednesday 4-6 pm), 22515 Torrence Avenue, Sauk Villiage, IL / Contact: Ted Young 708.758.3343
Greater Chicago Food Depository (search by zip code) / https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food
New Zion/BOOC Joseph Store HS, 14200 Chicago Road, Dolton, IL / M 11-1 pm, S 10-1 pm / Contact: Mary Wood 708.849.6904
Respond Now, 1439 Emerald Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL / M/F 10-5 pm / W 10-7 pm / 708.755.HELP
St. Irenaeus, 207 S. Orchard Park, Sauk Village, IL / M 10-12 pm / 708.748.6891

Grief and Loss

Centre for New Beginnings / 708.503.9670 ext. 8432

Homeless Shelter

PADS / 708.754.4357 South Suburban Family Shelter / 708.2831421

Hotline Numbers

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline / 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
National Sexual Assault Hotline / 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

Housing

Heartland Alliance / 312.660.1300 / https://www.heartlandalliance.org/heartland-housing
Housing Authority of Cook County / https://thehacc.org
South Suburban PADS (emergency) / 708.332.7700 / http://www.sspads.org

Immigration Services

Communidad En Accion, 202 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL / TH 6-8 pm / Contact: Lorena Varela 708.510.8989 / https://ceadeil.wixsite.com/ceadeil
Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights (ICIRIR), 228 S. Wabash Avenue, Suite 800, Chicago, IL / 312.332.7360 Visa Services (TBD)

Legal

Chicago Legal Clinic Pro Bono Program / 773.731.1662 / http://www.clclaw.org
Illinois Legal Aid / 312.977.9047
Legal Assistance Foundation / 312.271.4950 / 312.341.1070

Medical Services

Access Family Health, 152 W. Lincoln Highway, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 708.754.9687
Aunt Martha’s Community Health Center, 1536 Vincennes Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686
Aunt Martha’s Women’s Health Clinic, 233 Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686
Aunt Martha’s Pediatric Health and Wellness Center, 500 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights, IL / Offers sliding scale with proof of income – Medicaid application assistance at clinic / 877.692.8686

Mental Health/Disability Services

Counseling Services w/ Shannon Word (PSC credit students only) / 708.709.3511 / sword@prairiestate.edu Sertoma Centre / 708.748.1951

Reentry Services

Reentry Services GEO Group / 708.754.6980

Reentry Services

GEO Group / 708.754.6980

Rental Assistance

Catholic Charities (non-denominational) / 312.655.7459 (Spanish) / 708.333.8379 / 877.426.6515

Substance Abuse

Aunt Martha’s / 877.692.8686
Illinois Institute for Addiction Recover @ Ingalls Health System / 800.522.3784
South Suburban Council (telephone screening required) / 708.647.3333

Suicide Prevention

Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) / 800.345.9049 or Crisis Referral Entry Services (CARES) Sertoma Centre / 708.748.1951

Transportation

Chicago Heights Park District, 1400 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL / Dial-a-Ride Service Days: M-F 8-3 pm / Reservation: Call 24 hours in advance / Cost: $2:00 / Eligibility: Age 55 or older, disabled with some restrictions / 708.755.1351
Pace (suburban bus system) / 847.364.7000
RTA (route for public transportation) / 708.836.7000

Utility Bills/Weatherization Programs

CEDA (Community of Economic Development Assoc. of Cook County) / 800.571.2332 / 708.754.4575
Respond Now (food, shelter, utility assistance) / 708.332.0100 Blue Island / 219.838.0380 Munster

Veterans Assistance

Veterans Center @ PSC / Georges Sanon / 708.709.3500 / gsanon@prairiestate.edu
South Suburban Cook County American Job Center / 708.709.7970 / chghts@nationalable.org

Congratulations to Prairie State College's GED Class of 2019!

  

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