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Where to Find Free English Language Classes in Chicago

By October 10, 2024October 22nd, 2024Education, Resources

City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Libraries and other local organizations that offer free English classes for adults across the city.

Oscar Gomez/Borderless Magazine
The Portage-Cragin Branch of the Chicago Public Library system is a location that holds free English language classes.
By October 10, 2024October 22nd, 2024Education, Resources

City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Libraries and other local organizations that offer free English classes for adults across the city.

Navigating a new country is difficult, especially in the face of language barriers.

Across the city, there are English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for adults looking to learn English. For example, the City Colleges of Chicago and other local organizations offer free ESL classes for Illinois residents over 18.

Borderless has compiled a list of schools, colleges, libraries and organizations that offer ESL classes to adults throughout the city.

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Chicago Public Library (CPL)

Some CPL branches across the city offer free weekly ESL classes for adults.

 

Northtown

Address: 6800 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL. 60645

Phone: (312) 744-2292

Dates: Monday- Friday from Sept. through Dec. 2024.

Register: English Class

 

West Lawn

Address: 4020 W. 63rd St. Chicago, IL. 60629

Phone: (312)747-7381

Dates: Monday and Wednesday from Sept. through Dec.

Register: English Class 

 

Little Village

Address: 2311 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL. 60623

Phone: (312) 745-1862

Dates: Monday and Wednesday from Sept. through Dec.

Register: English Class

 

Chicago Lawn

Address: 6120 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL. 60629

Phone: (312)747-0639

Dates: Monday through Wednesday from Sept. through June

 

Portage-Cragin
Address: 5108 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL. 60641
Phone: (312) 744-0152

Dates: Monday and Wednesday from Sept. through Dec.

Register: English Class

 

Humboldt Park

Address: 1605 N. Troy St. Chicago, IL. 60647

Phone: (312)744-2244

Dates: Monday and Wednesday from Sept. through Dec.

Register: English Class

 

Little Italy

Address: 1336 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. 60607

Phoner: (312)746-5656

Dates: Monday from Sept. through Dec.

Register: English Class

 

Rogers Park

Address: 6907 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL. 60626

Number: (312)744-0156

Dates: Monday from Sept. through Nov.

Register: English Class

 

City Colleges of Chicago

Some City Colleges of Chicago also offer free ESL classes for adults who are Illinois residents:

 

Wilbur Wright College

Address: 4300 N. Narragansett Ave. Chicago, IL. 60634

Adult Education Number: (773)481-8823

 

Malcolm X College

Address: 1900 W Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612

Adult Education Number: (312)850-7300

 

Olive-Harvey College

Address: 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave. Chicago, IL. 60628

Adult Education Number: (773) 291-6690

 

Kennedy-King College

Address: 6301 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL. 60621

Adult Education Number: (773) 602-5340

 

Harry S. Truman College

Address: 1145 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL. 60640

Adult Education Number: (773) 907-4350

 

Richard J. Daley College

Address: 7500 S. Pulaski Road Chicago, IL. 60652

Adult Education Number: (773) 838-7800

Local Organizations

 

Literacy Chicago

Literacy Chicago offers classes each quarter with varying difficulty levels. The fall session has begun and runs through Dec. 20, 2024.

Address: 641 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL. 60660

Phone: (312) 858-6020

Email: info@literacychicago.org

 

Poder Learning Center

The Poder Learning Center offers free ESL courses ranging from introductory to high intermediate. You can register for classes online by completing a written placement assessment or walking into the headquarters at 3357 W. 55th St.

Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

Polish American Association

The Polish American Association’s ESL program hosts free classes from beginner to advanced, where students learn to listen, speak, read and write in English. They focus on skills for employment and self-sufficiency. The classes and materials are free. Classes are offered in the morning, evening and weekend on the Northwest and Southwest Sides from Sept. through June.

Northwest Side locations:

3815 N. Cicero Ave.

3834 N. Cicero Ave.

Southwest Side location:

6276 W. Archer Ave.

 

Instituto del Progreso Latino

The Instituto del Progreso Latino offers free English courses, typically held Monday through Thursday in a hybrid format. Adult classes also provide on-site child care and are hosted on differing schedules Monday to Thursday.

The courses are offered in-person or online. To register, call (773) 890-0055 at Ext. 4558 with Maria Calleros or Esther Narvaez Ext. 4512. Otherwise, you can email Maria Calleros at s.calleros@idpl.org or Esther Narvaez at e.narvaez@idpl.org.

Location:

Little Village: 2555 S. Blue Island Ave. Chicago, IL. 60608

 

Heartland Alliance 

Heartland Alliance offers free English language classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To register, contact Katie Neginskiy at velt@heartlandalliance.org or call (773) 830-5957.

Locations:

Uptown: 4822 N. Broadway Ave. Chicago, IL. 60640

Belmont Cragin: 5715 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL. 60634

Tara Mobasher is a Northwestern Medill Reporting fellow at Borderless Magazine. Email Tara at Tara@borderlessmag.org.

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