ESL

Whether you want to learn English to prepare for a career, college, or to contribute to your family and community, our free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are here to help.      

Any level of learner accepted, from beginner to advanced. Classes cover reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills.  

At select locations, we also offer:  

• Professional certificate classes
• Citizenship classes

• ​​​More than 70 locations in Chicago (class offerings vary by location)
• Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend courses 
• Advanced ESL hybrid courses (50% in-class, 50% online)​

Students must:  

• Be 18 years or older
• Or ​16/17 years old with a high school separation form
• Live in Illinois
  

• ​Apply online 
  OR
• Visit a City Colleges location to apply
• Bring proof of address with you
• Social security number NOT needed
• J1 and F1 visas NOT permitted
  

After applying, you will need to visit a City Colleges location to take a placement exam, which can take up to 3 hours.