About Us

Adult Language and Learning has been serving the Chatham-Kent community since 1984, and the immigrants of the area since 1987.

Adult Language and Learning is funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and the Government of Canada through the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

We are a not-for-profit registered charity organization.

Mission Statement

The Mission of Adult Language and Learning is…
to promote and foster personal growth and adjustment for all, including immigrants, in Chatham-Kent through further education, training, and opportunities that support independence and employment.

Goals of Adult Language and Learning

  • Bring together those citizens of Chatham Kent who are committed to reducing the incidence of adult illiteracy
  • Identify priorities and needs of program learners
  • Expand current services and/or mobilize efforts to develop new services
  • Advocate for citizens lacking basic education
  • Organize workshops and seminars on the topic of Adult Language and Learning
  • Assist in eliminating barriers to employment with further education, language training
  • Survey local resources with the aim of mobilizing them towards the reduction of adult illiteracy in Chatham Kent
  • Advise and provide consultation to individuals and organizations interested in promoting Adult Language and Learning in Chatham Kent
  • Liaise with other individuals and organizations that promote Adult Language and Learning outside Chatham Kent
  • Monitor the programs
  • Locate funding for local Adult Language and Learning programs

Services Provided

Through Adult Language and Learning, adults in Chatham-Kent can reach their personal learning and settlement goals in a supportive environment. Each client is interviewed. The client, with our support, sets individual goals, and is either referred to an appropriate agency or is placed into one of our programs.

  • One on One tutoring through Literacy Basic and Essential Skills (LBS)
  • Literacy Basic and Essential Skills (LBS) levels 1,2,3,4, and 5 in a classroom setting
  • Preparation for the Prior Learning Assessment (Pre-PLAR) and General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Citizenship classes as needed
  • The Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP)
  • Newcomer Resource Centre
  • Other language classes as needed

    • A computer lab with literacy and numeracy programs is available on site.

    Client support is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese. Support in other languages may be available upon request.

    Adult Language and Learning services and programs are available at no cost for those who are eligible. All programs are available for a fee for those not eligible for funded services.

    History of Adult Language and Learning (formerly Adult Basic Education)

    During the latter part of the 1970’s a group of adults began to assist students under the auspices of the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (A.C.L.D.). Before many years had passed some adults began to seek similar help. In 1980 an effort led by Bill Kranenburg and others began to bring the need for a separate program for illiterate adults to the attention of the community. Subsequently the Adult Learning Opportunity student programs were both being offered at C.K.S.S.

    In 1984 the incidence of adult illiteracy in North America was receiving increasing attention from all sectors of society governments, the private sector, educators and the public at large. Adult Basic Education was created in November of 1984.

    Thus began the Adult Language and Learning Program that we have today.

    From a very loosely organized but effective program using minimal staff and as many volunteers as could be found, the program gradually increased both in size and organized support.

    Adult Basic Education was formed in November 1984 with 21 members representing 16 community organizations. The council was housed in a converted storeroom at C.K.S.S.

    By January 1987 the program had developed to the point that an appropriate office with both a visible and walk in accessible location was required. The Waymur Building on Fifth Street was selected. Over the years the office has been enlarged but remains in the Waymur Building.

    On April 6, 2006 the Chatham Kent Council on Adult Basic Education changed its name to Adult Language and Learning to better reflect the services offered.

    While the initial support came from very few sources including the Kent County Board of Education and the Kent County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, over the years various programs have been funded by the following agencies.

    • The Ministry of Citizenship and Culture first grant April 1987
    • The Ministry of Education and Training
    • The Ministry of Skills Development
    • The Ministry of Culture and Communications
    • Ontario Community Literacy
    • The Ministry of Employment and Immigration
    • Ontario Settlement and Immigration
    • Ontario Settlement and Integration
    • Ontario Training and Adjustment Board

    The variety of projects that have been put together to provide learning experiences has been substantial over the history of Adult Language and Learning. A partial listing of such projects would include:

    • 1987 Adult Language and Learning one on one tutoring 650 clients
    • 1988 English as a Second Language over 1200 clients
    • 1988 Citizenship Classes for Immigrants
    • 1989 Oral History Project (From Mexico to Kent)
    • 1989 Reading the Signs (a performance at the Chatham Cultural Centre)
    • 1991 Literacy in the workplace (Waltec Components)
    • 1992 Language Instructions for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
    • 1992 Labour Adjustments Program
    • 1993 Jobs Ontario (Pre-employment training)
    • 1994 Community Living literacy training programs
    • 1995 Ontario Basic Skills (New Beginnings)
    • 1997 Literacy Basic Skills
    • 2006 Essential Skills Training
    • 2007 Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP)
    • 2007 Immigrant information sessions
    • 2007 Newcomer Information Resource Centre
    • 2008 Child minding program for Newcomers attending LINC, ISAP and JSW programs
    • 2009 Job Search Workshops for immigrants (JSW)
    • 2009 Pre-Employment Workshops (ESW)

    Adult Language and Learning (A.L.L.) has been served by many members of our community. Some have served for a short time some for many years. The same must be said for our volunteers, without whom the core one on one program would not exist. The role of the council continues to evolve (incorporation) but, at the same time, continues to be a constant. To assist those people within our community who are in need of assistance to learn to read and write in the English Language. The council meets a very real and important need in Kent County that would probably not be met by any other existing agency.