The DLC is the Dominican Learning Center. We are a founded ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Currently, the DLC offers:
Depending on the programs, it can be in more than one at a time.
A learner in ABE, GED, or ESL can also be in the Citizenship program.
A learner in the Spanish GED program can be in the ESL program.
A learner in ABE cannot be in any other program other than Citizenship.
A learner in GED prep in English cannot be in any other program other than Citizenship.
You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in any of the DLC programs. There is no upper age limit.
You will need to pay a $10 deposit and agree to pay a total of $45 a year. The DLC does not ask for an ID to be in one of our programs nor will we ever ask about immigration status. (If, however, you plan to take the GED at some point, you will need a government issued ID in order to take the test).
Each learner is asked to pay a learner fee. Please see the tab for the program you are interested in for more details about the cost.
Learner/tutor matches meet once a week for about 2 hours at a time. They can meet in a public space like a library or at the Center in German Village.
The learner fee for the ESL program is $45.00. This is to be paid each year, regardless of whether or not the learner has moved up a book level. This fee can be paid all at once or in increments as needed.
Once you are enrolled in our program, you will work with your tutor on a weekly basis until either
There is no set time that the program lasts, and as long as you are actively working towards your goals, you are welcome to continue in our program at the pace that works for you.
You must come into the Center to complete the initial placement test, the registration, and the orientation. After that, if you prefer to receive your tutoring online, you may do that. You will simply have to inform the Program Manager of your preference when you attend the orientation.
All of our learners must live in Columbus or the surrounding areas.
No.
If for any reason you are going to need to step back from your tutoring for an extended period of time, please communicate that to your tutor and the Program Manager. We understand that sometimes there are commitments and obligations beyond your control, and you must take care of those. As long as you have communicated with us and your tutor, you will be welcome back at a later date. If you just stop showing up without communication, no matter what the reason, it will be much more difficult (or impossible) to be allowed back in the program at a future date.
If your schedule changes, please talk to your tutor about it. If you are able to arrange a different time between the two of you, that is fine. If you and your tutor cannot work out a new arrangement, contact the Program Manager to see if it is possible to find a new tutor (but understand that this will likely take at least a few weeks to work out).
All of our tutors are volunteers from the community who want to work with an adult learner in one of the DLC programs. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit. They have a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Our tutors are not necessarily teachers by trade, but all receive training from the DLC and work closely with the Program Manager while volunteering in the ESL program.
Yes. You will be given homework each week and you are expected to do that homework prior to meeting your tutor again the following week. Make sure you are noting any areas where you struggled to complete the homework so your tutor can help you. Remember, your tutor is planning lessons each week, but your tutor should not be working harder than you are!
You are expected to meet your tutor each week for your classes. If you must miss a session, that is fine as long as you communicate with your tutor. If you have frequent absences, even if you are communicating with your tutor, you may be asked to go on hold so that we can match your tutor with someone else.
If you need to miss the occasional session, you will need to contact your tutor directly and let him/her know at least two hours in advance. If you know ahead of time that you will need to miss, please communicate that as soon as you know.
When a learner completes a book, your tutor will ask you to complete a test to ensure mastery of the subject. Once it is clear that you are ready for a new book, either the learner or the tutor must contact the Program Manager to let her know. The Program Manager will provide the next book in the series.
Before moving from the ESL program into the ABE or GED program, you must first complete or test out of the Ventures 3 ESL book. You will need to talk to your Program Manager who will assist you in switching programs if you are at a level where you are able to do so.
Yes. You must take a post-test after you have completed 70 hours of tutoring. This test is not based on when you finish a book – it is determined by the amount of time you have been in the program.
While you are in the program, you will be meeting each week with your tutor. You must also check in with your Program Manager at least once every three months. This can be in person, via email, or by phone. Even after you have completed the program, the DLC may reach out to you to see how you are doing.
There are a number of steps that you must complete before a tutor will be assigned to you. After you have taken the placement test, gotten registered, and completed the orientation, you will be eligible for a tutor. Your Program Manager will contact you when she has identified a tutor for you. Depending on your availability and the ESL waitlist at any given time, this process could take up to two months.
Columbus libraries offer conversation tables at locations throughout the city. You can find a schedule here: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/adult-education/
All new students are required to take an English assessment or a placement test, which will be used to determine the appropriate level for you.
We accept students from basic to upper intermediate levels. Your level will be determined by the ESL assessment you take upon registration.
You will take a reading and listening comprehension test. The test can take a maximum of two hours.
There is a $45 annual fee for tutoring. Books are provided at no cost by our program.
The orientation is a three-part course that takes place on Wednesday mornings at the DLC. If you must miss one of the sessions, you will have to make up that session before you are eligible to get a tutor.
Learner/tutor matches meet once a week for about 2 hours at a time.
Adult learners are matched with a tutor according to their availability. This is a one-to-one program (one tutor per one learner). Classes or tutoring sessions can be online or in person, depending on the learner’s preference. If the learner and tutor match choses to meet in person, they can do so at the DLC (during the DLC’s normal operating hours) or at a library of their choice. Matches may not meet in someone’s home or private residence.
The learner fee for the ABE/GED program is $45.00. This is to be paid each year, regardless of whether or not the learner has moved up a book level. This fee can be paid all at once or in increments as needed. (Please note that if you plan to take a GED test, GED charges $36 for each of the 4 tests. That money goes to GED and not the DLC).
Once you are enrolled in our program, you will work with your tutor on a weekly basis until either
There is no set time that the program lasts and as long as you are actively working towards your goals, you are welcome to continue in our program at the pace that works for you.
You must come into the Center to complete the initial placement test, the registration, and the orientation. After that, if you prefer to receive your tutoring online, you may do that. You will simply have to inform the Program Manager of your preference when you are registered or at some point during the orientation.
All of our learners must live in Columbus or the surrounding areas.
No.
If for any reason you are going to need to step back from your tutoring for an extended period of time, please communicate that to your tutor and the Program Manager. We understand that sometimes there are commitments and obligations beyond your control, and you must take care of those. As long as you have communicated with us and your tutor, you will be welcome back at a later date. If you just stop showing up without communication, no matter what the reason, it will be much more difficult (or impossible) to be allowed back in the program at a future date.
If your schedule changes, please talk to your tutor about it. If you are able to arrange a different time between the two of you, that is fine. If you and your tutor cannot work out a new arrangement, contact the Program Manager to see if it is possible to find a new tutor (but understand that this will likely take at least a few weeks to work out).
Yes. You will be given homework each week and you are expected to do that homework prior to meeting your tutor again the following week. Make sure you are noting any areas where you struggled to complete the homework so your tutor can help you. Remember, your tutor is planning lessons each week, but your tutor should not be working harder than you are!
You are expected to meet your tutor each week for your classes. If you must miss a session, that is fine as long as you communicate with your tutor. If you have frequent absences, even if you are communicating with your tutor, you may be asked to go on hold so that we can match your tutor with someone else.
If you need to miss the occasional session, you will need to contact your tutor directly and let him/her know at least two hours in advance. If you know ahead of time that you will need to miss, please communicate that as soon as you know.
When a learner completes a book, either the learner or the tutor must contact the Program Manager to let her know. The Program Manager will provide the next book in the series.
Learners in the ABE program will use the same series of books as those in the GED program. Once a learner is ready to move into the first of the GED books (Challenger 6 for Language Arts), we will schedule a Casas test (this is the test we used to determine your original placement). If that Casas test score shows that you have advanced to the GED level, you will be provided the next book in the series, and we will change your program from ABE to GED. If the test shows that you still need do to some work before moving to the next level, we will provide other books so your tutor can work with you on the areas that still need attention.
How long will it take me to get my GED?
Keep in mind that this is a high school equivalency diploma, and it generally takes 12 years of schooling before someone completes high school. It often takes years for someone to complete their GED, but it could be less. It all depends on what level you were at when you initially took the placement test and how much time and effort you put into your studies each week.
How many GED tests are there?
There are four tests: Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
How many opportunities will I have to take the GED tests?
You can take the test as many times as needed, but you do have to pay each time. There is a practice test for each subject, so you should take that practice test and know you are ready before you ever schedule the official test. There is no limit to how many times you can take the practice tests.
How long do I have to take all of the GED tests once I start?
As of right now, there is no limit. If you take one test, there is no requirement that you complete the others within any particular timeframe. This could change at some point in the future if they change the test.
Is there a graduation ceremony?
Yes. Each year in June we have a graduation ceremony for any learner who earned their GED during that academic year. Graduates will be able to invite a small number of family or friends to the ceremony where we will give a certificate, enjoy cake, and take pictures. The DLC has caps and gowns that the graduates can use for the day.
What is the process for getting a GED?
The GED is not affiliated with the DLC. When the time comes to take a GED test, you must do that through GED. You will create a free account with GED (by going to ged.com and signing up for an account). You will have to pass four different tests (it does not matter what order you take them in): Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math. There are practice tests for each of these subjects, so you should always take the practice test first to make sure you are ready for the official test. If you score high enough on your practice test, we will help you sign up for the official test. You will need to take the official test at a different location, or a GED testing site. Tests can be scheduled through your GED account. After you have successfully passed the four subjects, GED will send you your diploma in the mail.
What if I want to work on multiple GED subjects at the same time?
The DLC will always start you off with one subject (one tutor). Studying for and earning a GED is difficult and will require dedication and focus. If after working for a few weeks with your tutor, you think you can handle a second subject in addition to the one you are already studying, please contact your Program Manager about getting a second subject/tutor. Your Program Manager will check with your current tutor to see if you have been consistent about going to your classes, being on time, doing your homework, and putting forth the effort to study. If you have shown that you can handle a second subject, we will begin the process of matching you with a second tutor. If it seems that one subject is already challenging enough, we will suggest that you dedicate your full attention to that first subject.
Can I take the GED in a language other than English?In the state of Ohio, it is possible to take the GED tests in English or Spanish. This varies from state to state, but in OH, the only options are English and Spanish.
While you are in the program, you will be meeting each week with your tutor. You must also check in with your Program Manager at least once every three months. This can be in person, via email, or by phone. Even after you have completed the program, the DLC may reach out to you to see how you are doing.
There are a number of steps that you must complete before a tutor will be assigned to you. After you have taken the placement tests, gotten registered, and completed the orientation (Success Course), you will be eligible for a tutor. Your Program Manager will contact you when she has identified a tutor for you. Depending on your availability and that of our tutors, this process could take several weeks. Generally, however, you will have an idea about your tutor shortly after completing the orientation.
Classes meet once a week (on Saturday mornings) from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM during the semester. The semester runs for approximately 22 weeks. For details about the next semester or to enroll in the program, please contact the Program Manager, Adriana Johnson, at adriana.johnson@oppeace.org.
Classes are in person at the DLC. It may be possible to attend the class online, but you will have to make these arrangements with the Program Manager in advance.
The learner fee for the Spanish GED program is $200. (Or $50 per subject). This can be paid all at once or in increments as needed.
The Spanish GED program is divided into semesters, with each semester lasting 22 weeks. During that time, all four subject areas are covered. Learners can attend the classes until they have passed that particular portion of the GED. If at the end of the semester, the learner has not yet passed the test, he/she is welcome to continue the next semester when the material is repeated again.
You must come into the Center to meet the Program Manager and complete the registration. The classes are in person, but if you need to attend them via zoom, that will need to be coordinated with the Program Manager ahead of time.
All of our learners must live in Columbus or the surrounding areas.
No.
No. After your initial placement, you will only have the GED tests to determine whether you have earned a diploma.
While you are in the program, you will be meeting each week with your tutor. You must also check in with your Program Manager at least once every three months. This can be in person, via email, or by phone. Even after you have completed the program, the DLC may reach out to you to see how you are doing.
Classes meet once a week (on Saturday mornings) from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Each course lasts ten weeks.
Classes are in person at the DLC.
The learner fee for the Citizenship program is $45.00. This is to be paid each year. This fee can be paid all at once or in increments as needed.
The Citizenship program lasts ten sessions (ten weeks), and we cover one chapter of the book each week. Once we have completed the book, we will begin a new session and start from Chapter One again. Learners are welcome to continue to attend subsequent sessions if they feel they still need the review.
No. This is an in-person program.
All of our learners must live in Columbus or the surrounding areas.
No.
If for any reason you are going to need to step back from your tutoring for an extended period of time, please communicate that to your tutor and the Program Manager. We understand that sometimes there are commitments and obligations beyond your control, and you must take care of those. As long as you have communicated with us and your tutor, you will be welcome back at a later date. If you just stop showing up without communication, no matter what the reason, it will be much more difficult (or impossible) to be allowed back in the program at a future date.
If your schedule changes, please talk to the Program Manager about it. She can put you on hold until you are able to resume classes or work out other arrangements.
Yes. You will be given homework each week and you are expected to do that homework prior to your class the following week. Make sure you are noting any areas where you struggled to complete the homework so your tutor can help you. Remember, your teacher is planning lessons each week, but your teacher should not be working harder than you are!
You are expected to be in class each week. If you must miss a session, that is fine as long as you communicate with your teacher. If you have frequent absences, even if you are communicating with your teacher, you may be asked to go on hold so that it does not become a disruption to the other students.
If you need to miss the occasional session, you will need to contact your teacher directly and let him/her know at least two hours in advance. If you know ahead of time that you will need to miss, please communicate that as soon as you know.
While you are in the program, you will be meeting each week with your teacher. You must also check in with the Program Manager at least once every three months. This can be in person, via email, or by phone. Even after you have completed the program, the DLC may reach out to you to see how you are doing.