English as a Second Language

The community education English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at the Center for Adult Literacy & Basic Workforce Development help non-native speakers of English become more comfortable in their community and work environments.

These non-credit classes emphasize pre-academic life skills. Our non-credit ESL classes are offered at three levels: beginning, intermediate and advanced. All four areas of language—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—are taught together. Attention is paid to grammar as well as to contemporary conversational skills. Below is a sample of the skills taught at each level:

Beginning

• Introduce yourself
• Respond to simple yes/no questions
• Identify items you need to go shopping
• Describe medical information to make an appointment
• Give and follow simple instructions
• Ask for and respond to simple street directions

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Intermediate

• Initiate greetings and introductions
• Provide more complex personal data in order to complete various forms
• Recognize and respond to common American nonverbal behaviors
• Read a map
• Describe emotions, express agreement and disagreement
• Arrange for repairs and service (household, automotive)
• Read warning labels, safety precautions, and routine medical instructions
• Read and complete common paperwork forms
• Communicate opinions on current issues
• Investigate local activities in the newspaper and internet

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Advanced

• Express feelings of gratitude, concern, and sympathy orally and in writing
• Write a personal letter, message, or email
• Recognize body language and non-verbal gestures
• Practice inferential reading skills
• Read and interpret classified ads, special offers, and advertisements
• Complete job applications and work-related forms
• Participate in successful job search and interview techniques
• Investigate resources in the community and learn how to access these resources
• Explore American culture and customs
• Investigate steps toward citizenship

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To find out more about how to enroll in ESL classes in your area, use the information on the contact us page to contact our staff directly.