Finding Your Way: Education for Adults

Free Programs

English, HiSET, GED, Basic Education, Citizenship

Framingham Adult ESL+
P.O. Box 4860, Framingham, MA 01704 (Mailing Address)
Framingham Adult ESL PLUS, Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive Framingham, MA 01702 (Physical Address)
Telephone: 508-626-4282 
The Framingham Adult ESL Plus (FAESL+) Program provides free English language instruction and life skills training to more than 700 students. The program offers seven levels of ESL classes. The focus is on oral language development with emphasis on survival skills and acculturation. Reading and writing skills are also integrated into the curriculum. The program provides Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes at beginner, intermediate, and HiSET (GED) levels. The program also provides counseling, conversation groups, computer classes, citizenship classes, speakers, field trips, and other enrichment programs. Classes begin in September and in January. Students are selected by a lottery system. The lottery is held on a designated morning and evening. Those interested need to attend the lottery that is held at the time that they would be available to take classes.

Joan Brack Adult Learning Center, SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702 
Telephone: 508-620-2677 
Offers HiSET (GED) classes.

Literacy Unlimited, Framingham Public Library
49 Lexington Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-532-5574 
Literacy Unlimited is a nonprofit organization in the Framingham Public Library and the Morse Institute Library in Natick. It provides free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring for about 400 adult learners in the MetroWest area in basic reading, writing, math, HiSET (GED) preparation, citizenship, and English as a second language. There are also conversation groups and survival English classes. Visit or call the office. Register during the months when the waiting list is open: usually January, May, and September. People on the waiting list are usually called within three or four months. All calls and correspondence to Literacy Unlimited are confidential. 

Hudson-Maynard Adult Learning Center
2 Clock Tower Place, Suite 105, Maynard, MA 01754 
Telephone: 978-897-4203 
The Maynard Adult Learning Center provides free ESL, ABE, pre-GED, and HiSET (GED) classes to approximately 200 students each year in their morning and evening programs. Classes are held in Maynard and Hudson. Counseling and technology are also incorporated into the curriculum. 

Quinsigamond Community College at Assabet Valley
215 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough, MA 01752
Telephone: 508-263-9673
Call for more information. HiSET classes available in Spanish.

Young Parents Program, SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-872-4853
HiSET (GED) for young parents receiving DTA assistance and under the age of 22. Childcare and transportation provided
 

Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline
Telephone: 800-447-8844
The Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline provides referrals to over 300 adult education programs that offer one-on-one tutoring, small-group or classroom instruction to adult learners. We provide information about basic reading, math, adult basic education, English language training, family literacy, High School Equivalency Test preparation or testing sites.

 

Fee-Based Programs

English

Brazilian-American Center (BRACE)
560 Waverly St, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-628-0360
Portuguese, ESL, and music programs. 

Continuing Education Office, Keefe Tech Regional High School
750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-935-0202
Email: info@ktconed.org
Offers ESL classes in the fall and spring. Classes run for 10 weeks, meeting twice weekly. 

ESL program, Framingham State
100 State St., Framingham, MA 01701
Telephone: 508-626-1510
Email: esl@framingham.edu
Intensive English, community ESL, TOEFL preparation, business English, writing, pronunciation and accent reduction, oral communication skills. 

Mass Bay Community College
19 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA 01701 
Telephone: 781-239-2511
esl@massbay.edu
ESL levels 1-4.
 

Higher Education

Community Colleges

Some communities have community or two-year colleges that enable students to begin their college careers. These programs provide education in specialized areas that do not require a four-year degree, for example, dental technology, or computer programming. They can also start a student on the path to a four-year degree. These colleges often offer English as a Second Language classes for a fee. Taking community-college courses can be a good way for new arrivals to review their subject areas and learn what is expected of students in American colleges. 
 

Universities and Colleges

The usual college program of study is four years, which results in a bachelor's degree. If a student wishes to continue his/her education, he/she then applies to a graduate school for a higher degree. Massachusetts has a large number of four-year colleges and universities. The library is the best source of information about these schools and their individual requirements. 

Immigrants planning to study in American colleges or universities should remember that fluent English is required by most schools. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree from their own country will have to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Students at all levels must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. Books for preparing for these exams can be found in any library or large bookstore. 

The Boston Public Library located on Boylston Street (Green Line train to Copley Station) has a wide variety of services available for people looking for information on American colleges and universities. In the basement of the library there is information on schools, applications, and assistance in filling out the forms for financial aid. http://www.asa.org/for-students/college-planning/  

Financial aid is available at many colleges for low income students who qualify - that is, those who are citizens or legal residents of the U.S. Applications are available through the school you are applying to. Much of the financial assistance is determined by income and other financial resources. The Financial Aid Officer for each school can best assist you with these applications. College courses for senior citizens-people over the age of 60-are available for very low cost at all state colleges. Senior citizens may sit in on courses but do not receive college credit for them. Interested senior citizens should contact the school they wish to attend or the Callahan Senior Center (508-620-4819) for more information.

 

November 2015