Free English Language Resources in the U.S.


6 minute read

Learn English
Learn English
Image courtesy of InterExchange

So, you've started your internship or training program but you're not as confident in your English language skills as you'd like to be. Your English will naturally improve during your time in the U.S., but you can also take advantage of free English learning resources offered in your city to speed up your English proficiency.

We've compiled a list of English language resources and free classes in the New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Boston and Washington DC metropolitan areas. Listed below are programs at public libraries, universities, and other locations that offer free classes for anyone looking to improve their English skills. You'll be speaking like a local in no time! 

New York City

Queens

Windsor Park Library
Free English conversation group

79-50 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11364
718.468.8300

Various Queens Library Locations – English as a Second Language Program
The ESOL Program is for speakers of other languages who wish to improve their English language skills.

89-11 Merrick Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11432
718.990.0700

LaGuardia Community College, Division of Adult and Continuing Education
Offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) and civics classes for individuals ages 18 and over.

29-10 Thomson Ave, Room C250
Long Island City, NY 11101
718.482.5460

Queensborough Community College
Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
CUNY Center for Higher Education,
39-07 Prince Street, 2nd Floor
Flushing, NY 11355
718.640.9238

Astoria Community Church
English as a Second Language Classes. For more information email Steve or Cristina: QueensESL@gmail.com

42-14 Crescent Street
Long Island City, NY - 11101
718.710.5541

Manhattan

Baptist Campus Ministry, Columbia University
An English Conversation Group for International Students and Visitors based at Columbia University

108 Earl Hall, Schiff Room
2980 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
212.854.1514

Community Impact, Columbia University
A Free English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

105 Earl Hall, MC2010
2980 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
212.854.1492

New York Public Library - English for Speakers of Other Languages

English language classes at various New York Public Library Locations. For the most current information available regarding these classes, please email esol@nypl.org.

174 East 110th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue)
New York, NY 10029
212.534.2930

Bronx

Highbridge Community Life Center
Highbridge Community Life Center offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) and civics classes.

979 Ogden Ave
Bronx, NY 10452
646.393.9533

ASPIRA of New York, Inc.
Offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) and general English classes for people age 21 and over.

Middle School 343
345 Brook Ave
Bronx, NY 10454
718.585.3353

Brooklyn

El Puente de Williamsburg
Offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) for people ages 21 and over.

211 South 4th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.387.0404

New York City College of Technology, Adult Learning Center
Offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for people ages 19 and over.

Howard Building
25 Chapel Street, 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.552.1170

Conversation Partners in New York

The websites listed below are for conversation partners. Conversation partners are people who often want to learn your native language and can help you improve your English speaking skills at the same time.

Language Exchange Community – Specifically NYC
This website connects you with other individuals who are interested in becoming language partners primarily through three modes of communication: face-to-face, pen-pal, or text and voice chat. Sign up and connect with other people interested in language exchange.

New York Public Library with New York Cares
Practice conversation with library volunteers. For the most current information, please call The New York Public Library's Office of Teaching & Learning, Literacy and Outreach at (212) 340-0918 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Multiple locations at various New York Public Libraries.
212.340.0918

International Center of New York – Conversation Topics and Tips
This website provides helpful conversation topics and tips for you and your conversation partner.

Los Angeles

East Los Angeles College
Offers (ESL three days a week, Monday-Wednesday 6:00 – 7:45pm. Free to the community. Visit www.elac.edu for contact information.

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754
323.265.8650

Los Angeles Public Library
Offers ESL tours that highlight the ESL learning resources offered by the library. Tours are given in English and can be booked by calling the Docent Office at (213) 228-7168.

630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213.228.7168

Los Angeles City College
English Literacy Program: (part of the Workforce Readiness Academy)
This program offers free, open entry, non-credit ESL and Vocational ESL classes which provide the essential English skills needed to survive in a predominantly English speaking society. The curriculum will develop the student's writing, reading and verbal communication abilities.

City College at Wilshire
3020 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
323.953.4000 ext. 2230

Washington, D.C.

Lado International College, DC Center
Provides free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.333.4222

Read Out Loud
On this site, you can look for a program where you can get a tutor, or find places you can go to classes to study reading and writing, GED, or English-as-a-Second Language.

1612 K Street, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20006
202.331.0141

Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
Offers eight levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Students must purchase books and materials.

1100 Harvard St, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.797.4700

Newcomer Service Org
Provides free evening English classes in both the DC and Virginia offices. Classes are open to newcomers from all countries and are geared toward beginners and intermediate-level students.

Washington DC Office
1628 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.462.4330

Meetup Group in Washington D.C.

DC Metro English
The DC Metro English as a Second Language (ESL) Club of Washington DC is a wonderful group of international people living in and around the Washington DC (DC/MD/VA) area. The meet-up is for internationals and native English speakers.

San Francisco

San Francisco Civic Center
Learn English in free classes with students from many countries from Monday to Friday.

750 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.561.1875

City College of San Francisco
The Noncredit ESL program is free of charge and is designed to help develop general ability to understand, speak, read and write English

50 Phelan Ave
San Francisco, CA 94112
415.239.3003

Transworld School
Call to inquire about when they offer Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on select days.

701 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.928.2835

Chicago

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King
The English as a Second Language courses are designed to teach English language and civics skills to foreign born non-native English speakers.

6301 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60629
773.602.5340

Literacy Chicago

English as a Second Language (ESL) programs help learners improve their ability to speak, listen, read, and write in English so that they can enrich their participation in their communities.

17 North State Street
Suite 1010
Chicago, IL 60602
312.870.1100

Chicago Cares- Community Services/Nonprofit
Call to Inquire about free ESL resources or email info@chicagocares.org

2 N. Riverside Plaza Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60606
312.780.0800

Boston

Watertown Public Library - Project Literacy
Join the project literacy program to learn English and learn about American culture.

123 Main Street
Watertown MA, 02472
617.972.6431

YMCA of Boston - Free English Classes

The YMCA International Learning Center offers a number of free classes throughout the year in Boston and in Woburn. Although there is no cost to attend these classes, there are several requirements including regular attendance.

3 Center Plaza, Suite 901
Boston, MA 02108
617.927.8244

Miami

Miami - Dade County English for Speakers of Other Languages

The purpose of this course is to improve the advanced ESOL students' ability to communicate in English, and allow them to acquire secondary level English language skills.

1450 NE 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33132
305.995.1000

Career Training USA
Career Training USA

Experience American culture and add international skills to your resume.

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U.S. Department of State-Designated J-1 Visa Sponsor
Alliance for International Exchange
The International Coalition for Global Education and Exchange
European-American Chamber of Commerce New York
Global Ties U.S.
International Au Pair Association
WYSE Travel Confederation