Learning English
City Colleges of Chicago offers free English classes to Illinois residents who are non-native English speakers. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses range from providing basic language and life skills for complete beginners to helping advanced students refine their English in preparation for higher education, vocational training, or a career. Reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar are included at all levels of instruction.
English as a Second Language (ESL) placement testing and registration is done by appointment. The placement test for morning, afternoon, evening and Saturday classes is given on several dates during each sixteen-week semester (fourteen weeks in the summer semester). In addition to completing the college placement testing, appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find a program on CCC’s website, or call your nearest campus:
Richard J. Daley College
7500 South Pulaski Rd.
773.838.7803
Harry S. Truman College
1145 West Wilson Ave.
773.907.4350
Kennedy-King College
6301 S. Halsted St.
773.602.5340
Malcolm X College
1900 West Van Buren St.
312.850.7300
Olive-Harvey College
10001 South Woodlawn Ave.
773.291.6690
Wilbur Wright College
4300 North Narragansett Ave.
773.481.8821/8823
To search for additional English course options, visit the National Literacy Directory or the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline.
For online English-learning opportunities, see:
- Activities for ESL Students - Quizzes, exercises and puzzles for English language learners.
- Cambridge Learner's Dictionary - Find meanings of words and hear how to pronounce them.
- The Classroom - Activities, quizzes and lessons. From Voice of America.
- U.S.A. Learns - Online English classes.