Adult Literacy

RI Family Literacy Initiative

CELEBRATING OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY!

Learn English

Based at PPL, Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative (RIFLI) is a free, nationally recognized ESL, citizenship preparation, workforce development and family literacy program for adults based at public libraries throughout Rhode Island.

 

RIFLI offers English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship preparation and computer instruction as well as children’s programming, student resource support and links to library resources and services. The annual program registration fee is $25 and classes are free. We offer English classes at the following locations and times:

PROVIDENCE

Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St., Saturdays (beginner and intermediate levels)

Mount Pleasant Library, 315 Academy Ave., weekday mornings (beginner level only)

PAWTUCKET

Pawtucket Public Library, 13 Summer St., weekday mornings (all levels)

CRANSTON

Cranston Public Library, Auburn Branch, 396 Pontiac Ave., weekday evenings (all levels & children's program)

EAST PROVIDENCE

East Providence Public Library, 41 Grove Ave., mornings and evenings (beginner and intermediate levels)

WARWICK

Warwick Public Library, Central Branch, 600 Sandy Lane, weekday evenings (intermediate only)

ONLINE CLASSES

Advanced level classes are offered online

Other adult education programs in Rhode Island can be found at EnrollRI.org.

New student registration periods

Winter term English classes are full. The next enrollment period will be: April 15 - 19, 2024.

As part of registration, you will complete an in-person reading assessment which will determine your class level. The assessment is done on a computer and takes an hour and 15 minutes to complete.

Class dates

Winter classes: January 16 - April 13, 2024 (12 weeks)

Spring classes: April 22 - June 15, 2024 (8 weeks)

Unmuted World is an evolving collection of essays by adult English language learners in Providence Public Library's RIFLI (Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative) program. The writers here represent diverse geography, cultures and faiths. Many are writing in English for the first time. We began in response to an idea to share work from advanced ESL classes, and to create an outlet for new Americans to share their personal stories and express their ideas.

Teacher Jon Lavieri notes: I wanted to encourage students in my advanced classes to write more, but also encourage them to realize their voices have resonance beyond our classroom walls. The blog title and decision to make their work public were completely their own. At first, the essays were responses to class writing prompts, but once students started seeing each others' essays being published, many began writing pieces on their own.

Unmuted World, a student Blog

Maria Lopez

PPL has a great team and this has been a great accomplishment. Thank you again for helping me gain the confidence, security and preparation needed to be able to attend my citizenship interview and pass the test.

- Maria Lopez
PPL Alum