The Languages and Learning Center is located within the Education, Philosophy, and Religion Department, 2nd floor, Parkway Central and supports the individual literacy and learning goals of Philadelphia's adults.
Led by a commitment to community engagement, the Languages and Learning Center strives to provide exceptional customer service to adult learners in a welcoming, accessible environment. The Languages and Learning Center offers relevant and engaging programs and resources for Adult Basic Education, English-language learning, world languages, digital literacy, and workforce development.
Our collection includes:
- World language books and audiobooks
- English-language learning books, CDs, and DVDs
- Career Test and Academic Test Prep books
- Resume and Cover Letter books
- Foreign Language novels
- Hi-Lo/Easy Reads books
Visit or Contact Us
Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Second FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19103
215-686-8664 or 215-686-5392
Hours
Languages & Learning Center is temporarily closed.
Adult Learning Resources
The Free Library is your portal to free online classes and courses. Learn at your own pace and level up your skills with our digital learning resources.
Databases that support adult learners are available to all Free Library patrons. A library card may be required to access these links. Don't have a FLP Library Card? Get one here.
LearningExpress Library 3.0
- Access practice tests, skill-building exercises, interactive tutorials, and ebooks
- Prepare for entrance, occupation, citizenship, and college admission exams
- Take GED® Test Tutorials that are officially certified by the GED Testing Service®
- Recursos para hispanohablantes - herramientes de aprendizaje, carrera, y cuidandania en español
Tutor.com
- Connect with a live tutor in subjects such as GED®/HiSET® prep, English, & Math
- Submit a resume or paper for review
- Take a practice quiz
Universal Class
- Learn anything, anytime, anywhere
- Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Enjoy over 500 courses in arts and crafts, career training, health and medicine, history, homeschooling, law, office skills, real estate, and more
Mango Languages
- Explore a new language or brush up on your knowledge
- Learn grammar, pronunciation, and cultural nuances through immersive language courses
- Take over 70 language courses in Spanish, Korean, Swahili, French, Arabic, Chinese, Igbo, Tagalog, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and more
Lynda.com from LinkedIn
- Learn the skills you need to achieve your personal and professional goals
- Enjoy high-quality video courses taught by industry experts
- Take classes in 3-D and animation, audio and music, business, CAD, design, IT, marketing, video, web development, and more
The Languages and Learning Center offers a range of programs and classes for adult learners, but there are many additional resources throughout Philadelphia.
Office of Adult Education
The Office of Adult Education (OAE), formerly the Mayor's Commission on Literacy has worked to equip all adults in Philadelphia with the education they need for work, family, and civic engagement since 1983.
ACHIEVEability
ACHIEVEability has been breaking the cycle of poverty by helping low-income, single parent and homeless families to achieve self-sufficiency. ACHIEVEability encourages their parents to work at least 30 hours per week and to complete at least 5 classes per year toward a post-secondary degree or its equivalent.
Center for Literacy
Center for Literacy integrates blended learning (using both online and in-person learning experiences when teaching students) into all Adult Education and High School Equivalency Prep classes. Though there are many literacy programs that use technology for "add on" support, very few integrate it as a key piece of classroom learning.
Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia offers ELL classes and GED/HiSET Prep.
Community Learning Center
Community Learning Center provides free high school equivalency, workforce development, and English as a Second Language classes to low-income adults seeking to change their lives through education and employment.
Community PEDAL@GSE Classes
University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education provides free Practical English for Daily Living classes to adults at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, taught by graduate students pursuing their degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). https://pedal.gse.upenn.edu/community
District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund
District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund provides access to career pathways in healthcare and human services for incumbent workers and job seekers through education, training and work-based learning. Free ELL / English Literacy, Citizenship and Civics Classes. Offers free English and Work Training Classes.
The Garces Foundation
The Garces Foundation is committed to ensuring that Philadelphia's underserved immigrant community has access to healthcare and educational services. Founded in 2012, the organization runs programs which aim to address specific needs within the community and are structured to change as the needs of the immigrant community change. New degree program for Latinos.
IndoChinese American Council
The IndoChinese American Council's Family Literacy Program incorporates ELL instruction, early childhood education, parenting, and interactive learning activities. This four-component model meets the literacy needs of the whole family, provides assistance to families in accessing school and community resources, helps parents work with their children's school staff to ensure the academic success of their children, and helps families acclimate to American cultural norms while maintaining their own cultural values and practices.
JEVS Human Services
JEVS focuses on individuals with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges as well as those facing adverse socio-economic conditions including unemployment and underemployment. JEVS has a variety of services for job seekers of all ages. JEVS also offer English Language Learning classes and job training.
It's Never Too Late to Read
It's Never Too Late to Read offers reading programs to the low-literate and non-literate adults of Philadelphia. Uses ABeCeDarian Reading Program by Michael Bend, Ph.D. Located at Kingsessing Library.
Lutheran Settlement House
Lutheran Settlement House offers ABE, ELL and Digital Literacy training and tutoring services.
Out of School Youth Resources
Out of School Youth Resources provided by CAP4Kids, lists organizations’ alternative options for youth ages 16 years and older to complete their high-school equivalency degrees.
Philadelphia FIGHT
Philadelphia FIGHT provides health information, digital literacy classes, employment readiness trainings, GED and Adult Basic Education. KEYSPOT location. Offers Hospitality and Support Services.
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians works with partner organizations to help students enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and high school equivalency prep (GED®, HiSET®) classes. These classes are offered at partner organizations throughout the city and are coordinated by the City of Philadelphia's Office of Adult Education. Students can find a class in their neighborhood through the myPLACE system.
Upcoming Events
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Virtual English Conversation Circle
Wed, April 14, 2021
3:00 P.M.
Virtual Program
Join us for a free conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. 3:00-4:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. Class is currently full - for more informaiton or to join the waitlist, call 215-686-8664…
Online English Conversation Group
Wed, April 14, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Virtual
Join us for a free online English conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. 4:00-5:00 p.m. every Wednesday Class is currently full - for more informaiton or to join the waitlist, call…
Virtual Beginning French Learning Circle
Wed, April 14, 2021
5:00 P.M.
Virtual
Wednesdays 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. starting February 24 Meet with other adults interested in learning French to explore the language through the Free Library database Mango Languages. For beginners. Register here . Questions? Call 215-686-8664 or email SouthworthL@freelibrary.org …
Intermediate English Virtual Classes
Thu, April 15, 2021
10:00 A.M.
Whitman Library
Join us for a FREE Intermediate English class online, taught by graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania TESOL program. 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays February 2 - April 15, 2021 Class is currently full. To join the waitlist, click…
Virtual Beginner Japanese Learning Circle
Thu, April 15, 2021
10:00 A.M.
Virtual
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-11 a.m. starting March 30, 2021. Our first Virtual Beginner Japanese Learning Circle was so popular (and full), we decided to start another group! Meet with other adults interested in learning Japanese to explore the language through the Free Library database Mango…
Virtual Beginning Japanese Learning Circle
Thu, April 15, 2021
11:15 A.M.
Virtual
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Meet with other adults interested in learning Japanese to explore the language through the Free Library database Mango Languages, as well as grammar and writing lessons. For beginners. Class is currently full - for more information, call or…
Virtual Spanish Conversation Group
Thu, April 15, 2021
1:00 P.M.
Virtual
Mondays and Thursdays 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. This FREE online class will build your knowledge and confidence in the Spanish language all while introducing you to other Spanish-speaking adults in a casual, fun learning environment. This group is currently full. To join the waitlist, register…
Virtual English Conversation Group
Thu, April 15, 2021
2:30 P.M.
Virtual Program
Join us for a free conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. 2:30-4:00 p.m. every Thursday This group is currently full. To join the waitlist, register here or call…
Adult Literacy Book Club
Thu, April 15, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Virtual: Zoom
Join The Languages & Learning Center and The Center for Literacy as we read On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. On the Come Up is the story of the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri wants to be one of the…
Virtual Beginning Russian Learning Circle
Thu, April 15, 2021
6:00 P.M.
Virtual
Thursdays 6 - 7 p.m. Meet with other adults interested in learning Russian to explore the language through the Free Library database Mango Languages, For beginners. Register at the link here . For more informaiton, call 215-686-8664 or email SouthworthL@freelibrary.org
Intermediate Online English Classes
Fri, April 16, 2021
9:30 A.M.
Charles Santore Library
Join us for a FREE Intermediate English class online, taught by graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania TESOL program. 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays February 3 - April 16, 2021 Class is currently full. To register for the…
Online English Conversation Group
Fri, April 16, 2021
11:00 A.M.
Virtual
Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. starting February 5 Join us for a free conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. This group is currently full. To join the waitlist, register at the…
English Writing 101 Learning Circle
Fri, April 16, 2021
12:00 P.M.
Virtual
Fridays 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. starting February 5 Meet with other English language learners to improve your writing skills using the Universal Class database. For intermediate/advanced/fluent English learners. This group is currently full. Join the waitlist at the link here .…
Online English Learning Circle
Fri, April 16, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Virtual
Fridays 4-5 pm Learn and practice English using the FREE online resource: We Speak NYC! Every week you will watch videos and complete activities on your own, then meet on Fridays with a group of English language learners to continue to practice your English skills. This group is currently…
Virtual Mandarin Chinese Conversation Circle
Fri, April 16, 2021
4:30 P.M.
Virtual
Join the Languages and Learning Center’s online Mandarin Chinese Conversation Circle! This FREE online class will build your knowledge and confidence in Mandarin Chinese in a casual and fun learning environment! This class will meet on: Fridays from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. …
Online Beginning Mandarin
Fri, April 16, 2021
6:00 P.M.
Virtual
Fridays 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. starting March 19, 2021 Meet with other adults interested in learning Mandarin. Explore the language with Free Library database Mango Languages. For beginners. Register: click this link , email SouthworthL@freelibrary.org or call the Langauges and Learning Center at…
English Conversation Group: Art and Architecture
Mon, April 19, 2021
9:00 A.M.
Virtual
Join us to learn and practice English while discussing famous art and architecture of Philadelphia. Every Monday, starting October 5, 2020. 9-10:30 am Class is currently full - for more information or to join the waitlist, call 215-686-8664 or register at the link here.
Virtual Spanish Conversation Group
Mon, April 19, 2021
1:00 P.M.
Virtual
Mondays and Thursdays 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. This FREE online class will build your knowledge and confidence in the Spanish language all while introducing you to other Spanish-speaking adults in a casual, fun learning environment. This group is currently full. To join the waitlist, register…
Virtual English Conversation Circle
Mon, April 19, 2021
3:00 P.M.
Virtual Program
Join us for a free conversation circle. Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other international adults in a casual learning environment. 3:00-4:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. Class is currently full - for more informaiton or to join the waitlist, call 215-686-8664…
Online English Language Learning through Storytelling
Mon, April 19, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Virtual
Mondays 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. March 8 - May 24, 2021 Practice English by sharing stories and exploring literary and performing arts. Enjoy virtual performances and bring your whole self to these fun sessions to explore creativity and art-making guided by professional Philadelphia…