Online
Activities for ESL Students
Quizzes, exercises and puzzles for English language learners.
Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
Find meanings of words and hear how to pronounce them.
The Classroom
Activities, quizzes and lessons. From Voice of America.
U.S.A. Learns
Online English classes.
Wise Old Sayings: ESL Guide
ESL Resource Guide: Reading, Writing, Teaching, Games, Blog, etc.
America's Literacy Directory
by: LINCS - Literacy Information and Communication System
Database of other Programs
nationalliteracydirectory.org
North Suburbs
Free ESL Classes
*Free classes are funded by the Illinois Community College Board. In compliance with Section 511 of Public Law 101-166 (the Stevens Amendment), approximately 37 percent of the adult education program is federally funded.
Evening Classes
ALL LEVELS - BEGINNING TO ADVANCED
Evanston Township High School
1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 6:30-8:15 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, Room S108, 6:30-8:15 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-9:15 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Glenbrook South High School
4000 Lake Avenue, Glenview
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 6:45-8:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, Room 199, 6:45-8:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:45-9:30 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Lincolnwood Public Library
4000 West Pratt Avenue, Lincolnwood
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 6-7:45 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 6-7:45 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00-8:45 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Maine East High School
2601 West Dempster Street, Park Ridge
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 6:45-8:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, Room 330, 6:45-8:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 6:45-9:30 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Maine West High School
1755 South Wolf Road, Des Plaines
Registration: Monday, January 4, 6:45-8:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Mondays only, Room C211, 6:45-8:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday, 6:45-9:30 pm
First Class: Monday, January 11
Niles West High School
5701 Oakton Street, Skokie
Registration: Tuesday, January 12, 6:45-8:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, Room 2199, 6:45-8:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:45-9:30 pm
First Class: Thursday, January 14
Niles North High School
9800 Lawler Avenue (West of Old Orchard Shopping Center)
Registration: Monday, January 11, 6:45-8:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Mondays only, Room 2025, 6:45-8:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday, 6:45-9:30 pm
First Class: Wednesday, January 13
Daytime Classes
BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE ESL
District 65 - Family Center
1500 McDaniel, Evanston
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 9:15 am - 12 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 9:15 am -12 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:15 am - 12 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Rosemont Recreation Center
7128 Barry St., Rosemont
Registration: Monday, January 4, 9 am - 12 pm
Ongoing Registration: Mondays only, 9 am - 12 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday, 9 am - 12 pm
First Class: Monday, January 11
Niles Township Schools ELL Parent Center
9440 North Kenton, Skokie
Registration: Saturday, January 9, 9:15 am - 12 pm
Ongoing Registration: Saturdays, 9:15 am - 12 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Saturday, 9:15 am - 12 pm
First Class: Saturday, January 16
BEGINNING TO ADVANCED ESL
Evanston Public Library (Main Branch)
1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 9:30-11:30 am
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 9:30-11:30 am (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
First Class: Friday, January 8
First Congregational Church
766 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 8:50-11:30 am
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 8:50-10:30 am (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:50-11:30 am
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Niles Community Church
7401 Oakton Street, Niles
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 12:20-3 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 12:20-3 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:20-3 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Oakton Community College
7701 North Lincoln Avenue, Room B111, Skokie
Registration: Friday, January 8, 9 -12:15 pm
Ongoing Registration: Fridays only, 9 -12:15 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Fridays, 9 am-12:15 pm
First Class: Friday, January 15
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED ESL
Center for Professional Development
Old Orchard Mall, Skokie
Registration: Monday, January 4, 1-4 pm
Ongoing Registration: Mondays only, 1-4 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-4 pm
First Class: Monday, January 11
District 65 - Family Center
1500 McDaniel, Evanston
Registration: Tuesday, January 5, 12:15-3 pm
Ongoing Registration: Tuesdays only, 12:15-3 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15-3 pm
First Class: Tuesday, January 12
Family Focus
2010 Dewey Street, Evanston
Registration: Monday, January 4, 9:30-12:30 pm
Ongoing Registration: Mondays only, 9:30-12:30 pm (Starting from the first class)
Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
First Class: Monday, January 11
Citizenship Education Classes
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION No fee required
Instruction in U.S. history and government to prepare for the citizenship examination.
HIS A15-02, OC/SK, 9 Sat., 1/9, 9:15 am-12 pm
HIS A15-01, SKL, 9 Fri., 1/8, 6-8:45 pm
HIS A15-04, FOR, 12 Mon./Wed., 1/11, 6-8 pm (Must register on 1/4, 6-8 pm)
HIS A15-20, OC/SK, 9 Sat., 3/19, 9:15 am-12 pm
HIS A15-10, SKL, 9 Fri., 3/18, 6-8:45 pm
HIS A15-40, FOR, 12 Mon./Wed. 3/7, 6-8 pm (Must register on 3/2, 6-8 pm)
HIS A15-03, NPL, 9 Mon. 1/4, 6-8:30 pm
HIS A15-30, NPL, 9 Mon. 3/14, 6-8:30 pm
About the ESL Program:
• Designed for adults 16 years and older whose native language is not English
• Teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills;
• Introduces students to American culture;
• Offered free to students through Title II of the Workforce Investment Act as administered by the Illinois Community College Board.
*ESL classes are not intended for tourists, but for those who have come to the U.S.A to live.
Au Pairs
Per ICCB (Illinois Community College Board) regulations, au pairs are required to take post-secondary classes and cannot enroll in Oakton’s free ESL classes. They may, however, enroll in the College’s low-cost tuition classes.
Course Information:
• Students may be admitted until registration cut-off date; if space is available
• College-bound or advanced ESL students should call 847-635-1821 to see if they have sufficient English skills to take college classes.
Counseling and Registration:
• Students must bring identification and Social Security number, if available
• Admission to free ESL classes is only available to students who register in person
• Special registration dates are listed below.
Note: Tuition fees are subject to changes in State funding.
Oakton Community College is committed to equal access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities. To request disability accommodations, contact Teresa O’Sullivan at 847.635.1759.
City of Chicago
Free ESL classes through City Colleges of Chicago
Richard J. Daley College
7500 South Pulaski
Chicago, IL 60652
773-838-7803
Harry S. Truman College
1145 West Wilson
Chicago, IL 60612
773-907-4350
Kennedy-King College
6301 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60621
773-602-5340
Malcolm X College
1900 West Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60612
312-850-7300
Olive-Harvey College
10001 South Woodlawn
Chicago, IL 60628
773-291-6690
Wilbur Wright College
4300 North Narragansett
Chicago, IL 60634
773-481-8821/8823
Other Chicago Locations
TEFL Academy's Office
916 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
877-610-1337
FREE ESL & CIVICS PROGRAM
9044 S. Octavia
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 599-2237
Visit Program Website
Poder Learning Center
1637 S. Allport
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 226-2002
Naturalization Training
238 W Cermak Rd, 3FL
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 791-9999
Visit Program Website
Berwyn Public Library
2701 S. Harlem Ave.
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 795-8000 Ext. 3044
Visit Program Website
Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County
PO Box 4502
Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 848-8499 Ext. 102
Visit Program Website
Austin Site
819 N. Leamington, 2516 W. Cortez St.
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 261-8851
Visit Program Website
English as a Second Language Program (ESL) for adults.
8235 South South Shore Drive, 2nd Fl.
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 221-0620 Ext. 2
Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
137 N Oak Park Ave, Suite 212
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 660-1860
Visit Program Website
MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
9000 W COLLEGE PKWY
PALOS HILLS, IL 60465
(708) 974-5331
VWrite
213 W. Institute Place, Suite 207
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 475-1355 Ext. 116
Visit Program Website
Jack Ehrlich Literacy Program
2032 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 929-8200 Ext. 265
Adult Literacy Programs
3255 W Altgeld
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-4073
Visit Program Website
TRITON COLLEGE
2000 5th Ave., A - 203
River Grove, IL 60171
(708) 456-0300 Ext. 3085
Visit Program Website
US Citizenship study and Civics Education
1851 W Warner Avenue, Unit 1
Chicago, IL 60613
(815) 451-7175
Citizenship Class
4300 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 583-5501 Ext. 181