Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaBorderless compiled a guide of Chicago’s local organizations, public libraries and city colleges that offer free English classes.
Navigating a foreign country can be difficult, but it is even harder when there is a language barrier.
Chicago has several local organizations, city colleges and public libraries that offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults hoping to learn English.
Borderless has compiled a list of places offering ESL classes for adults throughout the city.
Do you know of any other free ESL classes that’re not on this list? Contact [email protected] with the information, and we’ll add it.
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Chicago Public Library
Some Chicago Public Library branches offer ESL classes and conversation groups through partnerships with different organizations like Literacy Chicago, a nonprofit organization offering free adult education in Chicago, including ESL classes for people at various levels. They are free for Illinois residents 18 years of age and older.
To enroll, fill out this form at Literacy Chicago’s website.
Address: 1605 N. Troy St., Chicago, IL 60647
Contact: 312-744-2244, [email protected]
Dates: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from April 6 to June 24
Address: 3401 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL 60625
Contact: 773-539-5450, [email protected]
Dates: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26
Address: 4020 W. 63rd St., Chicago, IL 60629
Contact: 312-747-7381, [email protected]
Dates: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from April to June
Register at West Lawn Branch
Address: 415 E. 79th St., Chicago, IL 60619
Contact: 312-747-0039, [email protected]
Dates: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 21 to June 25
Address: 1625 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
Contact: 312-743-0450, [email protected]
Dates: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from April to May
Harold Washington Library Center
Address: 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Contact: 312-747-4300, [email protected]
Dates: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from May to June
Address: 5108 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60641
Contact: 312-744-0152, [email protected]
Dates: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from April to June
Address: 7454 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago, IL 60656
Contact: 312-744-1965, [email protected]
Dates: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays in May
Little Village
Address: 2311 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago, IL 60623
Contact: 312-745-1862
Dates: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from April to June
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Address: 1336 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607
Contact: 312-746-5656, [email protected]
Dates: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays from April to December
No registration necessary
Address: 6907 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60626
Contact: 312-744-0156, [email protected]
Dates: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays from April to May
Address: 5630 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
Contact: 312-742-9590, [email protected]
Dates: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays from April to December
Address: 4904 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60615
Contact: 312-747-0511, [email protected]
Dates: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays from April to June
City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago also offer some free ESL classes for adult Illinois residents. The application is available here.
Address: 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., Room A-205, Chicago, IL 60634
Contact: 773-481-8823
Address: 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Room 2415, Chicago, IL 60612
Contact: 312-850-7300
Address: 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave., Room 3114, Chicago, IL 60628
Contact: 773-291-6690
Address: 747 W. 63rd St., V-211, Chicago, IL 60621
Contact: 773-602-5340
Address: 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Room 2230, Chicago, IL 60640
Contact: 773-907-4350
Address: 7500 S. Pulaski Rd., Rm. 1403, Chicago, IL 60652
Contact: 773-838-7800
Local Organizations
The Pui Tak Center offers free adult ESL, citizenship and workforce skills classes for Illinois residents. The upcoming term begins on April 27 and ends on June 13, 2026.
Address: 2216 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
Contact: Sarah Huang, [email protected], 312-328-1188
World Relief Chicagoland offers free English classes online and in-person. In-person classes are on weekday mornings, and online classes are on weekday mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Address: 3507 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625
Contact: 630-642-8210
Syrian Community Network (SCN)
SCN offers two English for beginners courses, one for native Arabic speakers and another for speakers of other languages. Classes are offered online.
Address: 5439 Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
Contact: Samira Alhamwi, [email protected], 773-654-1218
The Learning Center offers free ESL classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Summer classes begin on May 18, 2026, and individuals must register by May 12.
Address: 2153 S. Millar Ave., Chicago, IL 60623
Contact: 773-277-3111
Polish American Association (PAA)
PAA offers ESL classes at varying proficiency levels on weekdays and weekends. Individuals must register and take a placement test. Register here.
Main office Address: 3834 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641
Contact: Anastasiia Kovbel, [email protected], 773-282-1122
Indo American Center (IAC)
IAC offers ESL classes for various levels on a quarter system.
Address: 6328 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
Contact: 773-973-4444
Erie Neighborhood House hosts English language classes at the Harold Washington Library Center every Monday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Erie House Address: 1701 W. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60622
Harold Washington Library Address: 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Contact: 312-563-5800
Onward Neighborhood House offers varying levels of ESL classes for adults in the mornings and evenings.
Address: 5413 W. Diversey Ave. Chicago, IL 60639
Contact: 773-622-3215
Chinese American Service League (CASL)
CASL offers reading, writing and speaking skills through English language classes at different levels. Contact CASL to enroll.
Address: 2141 S. Tan Ct. Chicago, IL 60616
Contact: 312-791-0418
Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA)
Registration for CMAA’s in-person Spring ESL program is currently closed but the summer program begins on July 20.
The tutoring option for adult English and citizenship learners is available year-round for free.
Uptown Address: 1016 W. Argyle St. Chicago, IL 60640West Ridge Address: 2424 W. Peterson Ave. Chicago, IL 60659
Contact: 773-784-2900
Arab American Family Services (AAFS)
AAFS offers free ESL classes in varying levels, as well as one-on-one English tutoring.
Address: 7000 W. 111th St. Ste. 300, Worth, IL 60482
Contact: 708-599-2237
Tara Mobasher is Borderless Magazine’s newsletter writer and reporter. Email Tara at [email protected].
