Adult Education Programs & Services

Course subjects include:

• English (Reading & Writing)
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
   

You will also learn:

• how to prepare for college or your career 
• time management 
• study skills
• organizational skills
   

In addition to helping you prepare for the GED™ exam, these classes can also help you get ready for your next job or transition to college.

Morning and evening classes are available at all JJC campuses and at other locations throughout the JJC community. Free tutoring is available.

Learn More About Prep Classes

If you are an adult or ages 16 or older, you're eligible to attend (as long as you are not also attending high school). JJC also encourages ESL students to take our classes and those who want to brush up on their basic skills. Even if you have your high school diploma (or something similar), you can still take our free classes as a refresher or to prepare for college. 

Learn More About Prep Classes

How to Sign Up for Our Classes

1. Watch our informational video.
2. Register for classes and complete testing. You must provide a photo ID during testing (driver's license, high school ID, Sam's Club card, Costco card, etc.)
3. Questions about how to get started? Email DAELstaff@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-1333.

Watch our Informational Video and Register Now

iPathways

iPathways is a way for students to take our GED™ prep classes online. Some online coursework may be combined with traditional classroom instruction.

Students can take iPathways classes on any device connected to the internet. This is a great option for students who need more flexibility.  

Learn More About Prep Classes

Questions? Contact Libby Budd.

Libby Budd
Instructional Coordinator
Department of Adult Education and Literacy
Phone 815-280-1357
Email: ebudd@jjc.edu

If you have not earned your high school diploma, you can take the GED, HiSET or TASC to gain high school equivalency. All three companies (GED, HiSET and TASC) provide the same diploma. They are equally recognized and accepted by employers and higher education institutions across the country.

Learn More About the GED
Learn More About the HiSET
Learn More About the TASC

Información en Español

About ESL Classes

Do you want to learn English for your personal life or to prepare for college or a job? We can help. Our classes are for all non-native English speaking adults.

Our classes are split up into six levels, from beginning to advanced. Students will need to take a test to see which class they should start first.

Classes are between 4-12 hours per week. Students will learn the following English skills:

• Listening
• Speaking/pronunciation
• Reading/vocabulary
• Writing/grammar

Learn More About ESL Classes

Class Levels

• Beginning ESL (Levels 1 and 2)
• Intermediate ESL (Levels 3 and 4)
• Advanced ESL (Levels 5 and 6)
   

Where to Take Classes

Classes take place in Bolingbrook, Morris, Romeoville, Plainfield and Joliet. You can take classes in the morning, evenings and on Saturdays.

What You Can Expect

Our classes will help you learn English as a second language. 

• As your skills develop, you will advance through all of our English classes
• Listen, speak and understand English
• Read materials written in English
• Write in clear, concise, acceptable, English

Questions? Contact Mandy Dwyer.

Mandy Dwyer
Instructional Coordinator
Department of Workforce Education, Adult Education and Literacy
Phone: 815-280-1323
Email: mdwyer@jjc.edu 

How to Sign Up for Our Classes

1. Watch our informational video.
2. Register for classes and complete testing. You must provide a photo ID during testing (driver's license, high school ID, Sam's Club card, Costco card, etc.)
3. Questions about how to get started? Email DAELstaff@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-1333.

Watch our Informational Video and Register Now
Learn More About ESL Classes

Citizenship Test Classes

Take our Citizenship Test classes to prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test. These classes are open to non-native English speakers who are adults. In these classes, you will learn about:

• U.S. History
• the U.S. Constitution
• Civics
• the N400 application
   

These classes will also help you:

• learn how to best answer oral questions through mock interviews
• learn how to pass the written test

Citizenship classes and materials are free to in-district residents.

Learn More About Citizenship Classes

Immigrants can learn English literacy and civics education in these courses. After finishing these courses, students will be able to participate in education, work and civic opportunities in the U.S.

Additional Services for ESL Students

• Computer classes  
• Civics classes 
• College transition help
• Academic and career advising
• Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring
• Career/employment readiness skills prep
• Special learning needs assessments & accommodations
• Childcare (at select site[s])
   

Learn More

Literacy Services (Free Tutoring for Adults)

More than 2 million Illinois adults have poor skills in reading, writing, math or English proficiency.

If you need help in the following areas, our Adult Volunteer Literacy program is one of many that can help you. Tutoring is available for free.

• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• English
   

How the Program Works

Adults receive free tutoring at local libraries, JJC campuses and other community locations throughout the JJC district.

• Learners meet weekly with certified volunteer tutors for up to two hours at a time
• Sessions are available in the morning, afternoon or evenings
• Materials are provided
   

About Our Tutors

Our tutors are volunteers who care about their community. They receive 15 hours of tutor training before becoming certified to tutor individuals.

Sign Up for Literacy Tutoring

If you are at least 16 years old and feel that your reading, writing, math or English skills have kept you from fully sharing in your family, work and community, you may be able to participate in free group tutoring or one-on-one tutoring.

If you would like to request tutoring, fill out the student portion of our Literacy Tutor form. 

Request Literacy Tutoring Now

Questions? Contact Galina Khartulari. 

Galina Khartulari
Literacy Specialist
Department of Adult Education and Literacy
Phone 815-280-1331
Email: gkhartul@jjc.edu

Volunteer as a Literacy Tutor!

We need compassionate, helpful tutors who care about the people in our community. If you have at least a high school diploma or GED, you can sign up for this important program. Not only will you be helping others, but volunteering as a tutor means you can add additional skills to your resume. 

What Literacy Tutors Do

Volunteer literacy tutors help local adults improve their reading, writing, math and English skills. Typically, the adults read at a ninth grade level or below, or speak English at a beginning level. 

Tutoring takes place at local libraries, JJC campuses and other community locations throughout the JJC district.

Volunteer Tutoring Training Information

Volunteers need 15 hours of training before they start tutoring. They will receive a certificate confirming their participation.

Due to COVID-19, many training sessions take place online. Call or e-mail Galina Khartulari at (815) 280-1331 or gkhartul@jjc.edu to learn more.

Requirements

• Volunteer tutors must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency record (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• Volunteer tutors must complete 15 hours of training, offered every month by JJC
• Volunteer tutors must have the availability to volunteer between 1-5+ hours a week; we can make sure that the time and location of the tutoring session will be convenient to you
   

Sign Up to Volunteer

• Call or e-mail Galina Khartulari at (815) 280-1331 or gkhartul@jjc.edu to sign up.
• Fill out our Adult Tutoring Hours Submission Form.
   

Questions about becoming a volunteer tutor? Contact Galina Khartulari.

Galina Khartulari
Literacy Specialist
Department of Adult Education and Literacy
Phone 815-280-1331
Email: gkhartul@jjc.edu

Transition to College or the Workforce

Our trained advisors can help you transition from adult education classes to college-level courses and programs.

Qualified advisors can assist you in the following ways:

• Exploring careers that fit your interests
• How to apply to JJC
• JJC campus tours
• Learning about FAFSA and Financial Aid
• Preparing for college placement tests
• Academic advising
• Career advising
• And more!
   

Questions? Contact Michelle Lyman.

Michelle Lyman
College & Career Transition Specialist
Department of Adult Education and Literacy
Phone 815-280-1335
Email: mlyman@jjc.edu