Educational Development Program >espaÑol<

The Center's Educational Development Program was established in 1990. It offers classes in three levels of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Basic Education in the Native Language (BENL); GED preparation classes; and Civics/Citizenship classes.

Community Technology Center

The Dominican Women's Development Center is pleased to announce the opening of its new Community Technology Center . As part of the Educational Development Program, we will be using the new Technology Center to offer ESOL and GED preparation courses with a technological orientation. The Technology Center will also have various hours open for community use.

Course Offerings
Classes are held at night, from Monday through Thursday. The program is run in two cycles every year: February-May and September-December.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (3 Levels)
Each level is designed to assist students to learn English, using lessons appropriate for each level. Classes go from beginning conversation to mastery of reading or writing skills.

Literacy Skill Building Course
Designed to assist those who have mastered oral skills but wish to further improve their writing and reading skills.

GED Preparation & Civic Education
This course is intended to help participants obtain their GEDs and move on to higher education or better employment.

Adult Basic Education in the Native Language
Designed to assist those who seek to learn English and who also present equal deficiency in reading and writing skills in the native language.

Under the Educational Development Program, there is also a component which offers Citizenship Assistance for local residents. The Citizenship Component includes the following:

  • Bilingual Classes in English, US History and Civics
  • Assistance in filling out Citizenship Application forms
  • Follow-up throughout the whole citizenship proces

Book Fair

Every year, in collaboration with local bookstores, the Educational Development Program, holds a book fair in the Washington Heights / Inwood community. At this event, community members are invited to browse the selections of literature offered for sale by the booksellers, purchase books and other merchandise of interest and are also treated to special readings and book-signings by local authors.

This program is also in charge of publishing our bi-monthly newsletter entitled �La Página de la Mujer."

Our Services

provided to participants to ensure successful completion of their course work include:

  • Child care while they attend classes.
  • Access to peer counselors and referrals to social services that may be needed.
  • Referral to other programs of the DWDC for job training or small business development.
  • A curriculum which includes discussion of community issues, the role of women in society, civic responsibilities, and instruction on how to fill out forms and on how to access available services.
  • Workshops on topics of interest, such as women and gender, nutrition, self-esteem, stress management, housing, health, substance abuse and others.

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