Edible Alphabet
Edible Alphabet is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's Culinary Literacy Center. The mission is to teach English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking projects.
Students will learn vocabulary and grammar, as well as practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English while cooking a new delicious recipe every week.
Edible Alphabet offers students a chance to improve their English skills while cooking new recipes and eating delicious foods. The program is offered both at the Parkway Central Library and in our Neighborhood Libraries.
For more on the Free Library's services for English language learners including bilingual and foreign language print and electronic resources, information on citizenship, health and wellness, and other resources, visit the Free Library's New Americans page.
Register for Edible Alphabet now!
Please sign-up for an upcoming Edible Alphabet course. You can also call the Culinary Literacy Center for more information at 215-686-5323 or email kitchen@freelibrary.org.
Library card applications are also available in the following languages on our Library Card Application page:
- Español (Spanish)
- 汉语 (Chinese)
- Việt (Vietnamese)
- Русский (Russian)
- Français (French)
- عربي (Arabic)
Press
In a city with about 11,000 Latino small businesses out of about 104,000 total, the path to owning a business can be rocky and frustrating.
"Don't speak English" were the first words Ana MarÃa learned to say in English when she moved to Boston from Puerto Rico in 1978 at 14 years old.
The class at the Free Library not only helped participants learn Spanish, but they also took home a recipe from Peru.
Sharing food is a communal practice that transcends cultures. Though cuisine and preparation style can vary, the act of coming together with friends and family for a meal is universal.
Through Edible Alphabet, students learn English while they cook – gaining the confidence to navigate a new city and culture along the way.
Food and conversation go together like love and marriage; they are a natural pairing, one that evokes home and comfort.
A series of classes through the Free Library of Philadelphia teaches English as a second language via cooking lessons.
For many immigrants, coming to America is full of the unfamiliar &ndashl from the language to the food. In Philadelphia, a program aims to help these arrivals settle into their new country by folding English lessons into a cooking class.
Upcoming Events
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Edible Alphabet - Learning English Through Cooking!
Fri, September 22, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Northeast Regional Library
Adults are invited to this FREE English class. Each week we read, write, and speak in English--and cook a meal together! W/hen; Fridays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (September 8 - October 13, 2023) Where: Northeast Regional Library - Downstairs Meeting Room (2228 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia,…
Virtual Program: Edible Alphabet English
Tue, September 26, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Virtual
Adults are invited to this FREE online English class. Each week we read, write, and speak in English--and cook a meal together (at our own homes, connected through video call). This class will meet on: TUESDAYS from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. August 8 - September 26,…
Edible Alphabet - Learning English Through Cooking!
Fri, September 29, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Northeast Regional Library
Adults are invited to this FREE English class. Each week we read, write, and speak in English--and cook a meal together! W/hen; Fridays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (September 8 - October 13, 2023) Where: Northeast Regional Library - Downstairs Meeting Room (2228 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia,…
Edible Alphabet - Learning English Through Cooking!
Fri, October 6, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Northeast Regional Library
Adults are invited to this FREE English class. Each week we read, write, and speak in English--and cook a meal together! W/hen; Fridays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (September 8 - October 13, 2023) Where: Northeast Regional Library - Downstairs Meeting Room (2228 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia,…
Edible Alphabet - Learning English Through Cooking!
Fri, October 13, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Northeast Regional Library
Adults are invited to this FREE English class. Each week we read, write, and speak in English--and cook a meal together! W/hen; Fridays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (September 8 - October 13, 2023) Where: Northeast Regional Library - Downstairs Meeting Room (2228 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia,…
Edible Alphabet: Learn English through Cooking
Fri, October 20, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Lillian Marrero Library
Adults are invited to this FREE class for English language learners. Each week we read, write, and speak in English - and cook a meal together! The class is in the basement meeting room. To sign-up, call 215-685-9794, email kitchen@freelibrary.org , or visit www.bit.ly/EAEnglish…
Blog Posts
The Free Library Seeks Volunteer Tutors
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By Betsy M. August 28, 2023 1
Introducing the Languages and Learning Center’s Participant Advisory Board
The Languages and Learning Center (LLC) is excited to introduce the members of our Participant Advisory Board (PAB) to the Free Library community. Our Participant Advisory Board launched in June 2021, inspired by a similar project at the… continue reading
By Lindsay S. October 27, 2022 1
Adult Literacy Book Club's Winter Book Selection
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No… continue reading
By Phil K. January 12, 2022
Introducing World Language Tutoring
Would you like to learn a new language for an upcoming vacation? Or would you like to share the love of your language with someone? As the New Year approaches, the Languages and Learning Center is providing the opportunity for you to learn a… continue reading
By Rachel H. December 14, 2021
The Adult Literacy Book Club's Fall Book Selection
Join the Adult Literacy Book Club, presented by the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and Beyond Literacy . Improve your reading skills while reading and discussing interesting books! Don't always have a lot of time to read? No… continue reading
By Phil K. September 22, 2021
Learn English with the Free Library and University of Pennsylvania GSE!
This fall, adults working on their English skills in Philadelphia will have several opportunities to learn and practice English with the Free Library's Languages and Learning Center and the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate… continue reading
By Lindsay S. September 3, 2021 2
