Reading and Writing

What it is

Reading words and sentences, and writing them yourself.

Why it helps you

Almost everything else — jobs, forms, money, the law — runs on reading. Adults can learn this, in private, for free.

This opens up

Every other Area in this book.

Where to get help

Find a free class or tutor near you

National Literacy Directory A free phone line and website that find adult reading and writing help near you. This can be a class or a one-on-one tutor.

• Cost: Free to call or search. Many classes are free or low-cost. Ask before you sign up.
• Who can use it: Any adult in the US.
• How to start: Call 1-877-389-6874. You can say, “I’m an adult. I want help with reading. My zip code is ___.” Or go to the website, pick “Read and write better,” and type your city or zip code.
• Good to know: You don’t need ID to call or search. The line is open 24 hours a day. A class you find may have its own sign-up rules, so ask what you need to bring.

Your public library can help too

Many libraries have free computers and adult reading help. You can walk up to the desk and say, “Do you have help for adults who want to read better?” Rules for library cards are different in each town. Ask what you need.

Practice on your own, in private

Reading Skills for Today’s Adults Short, true-to-life stories written for grown-ups, not kids. Most stories have a voice that reads them out loud while you follow along.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone.
• How to start: Go to the website. Click Level 1. Pick a story and press play.
• Good to know: There are 16 levels. No account is needed. The site is older, and a few stories have audio that doesn’t match. Those are marked “(NC).”

LINCS Learner Center A page from the U.S. Department of Education. It lists free reading, writing, and math websites that the government has checked.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Any adult.
• How to start: Go to the website and click Learn to Read.
• Good to know: No account needed. Each link takes you to a different website.

If English is a new language for you

USA Learns Free video lessons for adults learning English. You practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone. It is made for people whose first language is not English.
• How to start: Go to the website and click Start Now. Then pick the 1st English Course.
• Good to know: You need an email address to make a free account. It is run by a public school office in California.

If you were homeschooled and missed a lot

Coalition for Responsible Home Education — For Homeschool Alumni A nonprofit started by people who were homeschooled. It has guides for adults who didn’t get the schooling they needed at home.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone. It is written for adults who were homeschooled.
• How to start: Go to the page. Read “So You Have a Deficient Homeschool Education. What Next?”
• Good to know: Some guides are a few years old. Prices in them may be out of date. The main idea still holds: adult classes exist, and you are not too old to start.

If you only do one thing first

Call the National Literacy Directory at 1-877-389-6874. Tell them your zip code and that you want help with reading. That one call can put you in touch with a real person near you whose job is to help adults read. Many, many adults start this way. You are not behind. You are starting.

Watch out for

• Fake diplomas. Some websites sell a “high school diploma” fast, with no classes or a quick online test. These are scams. Employers and colleges won’t accept them. A real high school equivalency, like the GED or HiSET, means passing a real test. The FTC explains how to spot diploma scams.
• Paying someone to find you a class. Finding a class is free. If a website wants money just to “match” you, close it and call the National Literacy Directory instead.
• “Free” apps that keep asking you to pay. Many reading apps are free at first, then push a paid plan. If an app asks for a card number, you can say no. The tools on this page don’t need one.
• Schools that push you to sign papers fast. Some for-profit schools promise jobs and rush you into big loans. Ask for time. Take the papers home. Free adult classes come first.
• Feeling you must explain yourself. When a form is hard to read, you can just ask, “Could you read this to me?” You don’t owe anyone a reason. Some people choose to say they forgot their glasses. That’s your call. Asking for help is normal.