So you’ve started your 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 online and in your city to speed up your English proficiency.
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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 D.C. 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!
Language Learning Apps and Websites
HelloTalk A language exchange app for your phone that connects you with native English speakers who want to learn your language!
Duolingo A language learning website/app that can place you at your level of English and help you to practice.
Memrise A language learning website/app to help you expand your vocabulary through the use of flashcard exercises.
Meetup.com This site organizes millions of meetups around the U.S. There are many opportunities for Language Exchange meetups and English Classes, so look for one in your area!
Sharedlingo.com This site helps you find someone who speaks the language you are trying to practice and who wants to practice your language. They offer both private chat rooms and voice chat as well as language games.
Busuu.com This is one of the largest language exchange sites on the web. You can sign up for free and find other people who want to practice languages.
American English at State Check out the U.S. Department of State Facebook page, American English at State, to learn American idioms and phrases that will make you sound like a local.
Language Resource List You can look for more online resources for English language learners here.
Classes in…
New York City
Windsor Park Library Free English conversation group.
New York Public Library – English for Speakers of Other Languages English language classes at various New York Public Library Locations.
Brooklyn Public Library Free English Language classes for adults over 17 years old at various locations in Brooklyn.
Los Angeles
Teaching House English Courses
Los Angeles Public Libraries At various Los Angeles Public Libraries – Find the nearest literacy center and get in touch for more information.
Los Angeles City College The English Literacy Program is part of the Workforce Readiness Academy.
Washington, DC
Teaching House English Courses Provides free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Offers eight levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Students must purchase books and materials.
Meetup: We Are The World: International, ESL, & Cultural Exchange The We Are The World meetup is a wonderful group of international people living in and around the Washington D.C. (and Virginia and Maryland) area. The meetup is for both internationals and native English speakers.
San Francisco & Bay Area
Berkeley, California YWCA English-In-Action Free English classes at the YWCA for international people.
San Francisco Civic Center Learn English in free classes with students from many countries from Monday to Friday.
City College of San Francisco The noncredit ESL program is free of charge and is designed to develop general ability to understand, speak, read and write English.
Transworld School Call for their schedule of free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Chicago
Literacy Chicago These 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.
Boston
Watertown Public Library – Project Literacy Join the Project Literacy program to learn English and learn about American culture.
Miami
Miami – Dade County English for Speakers of Other Languages This course aims to improve advanced ESOL students’ ability to communicate in English.
