English language programs
English language skills are critical for success in your job search and professional advancement. Listed below are some excellent English programs serving NY metropolitan area residents.
Free/Basic English Programs: These programs are offered for free and aim to provide daily conversational English training, generally for those with lower-levels of English language proficiency.
Public Libraries: Free classes in English for speakers of other languages, as well as information sessions on various topics are offered at branches of the Queens Public Library, New York Public Library (serving Manhattan, Bronx & Staten Island), and - Brooklyn Public Library. If you live in NJ or CT, you can look up your local library and contact them. If they do not offer programs like these, they should be able to tell you of other nearby libraries or community agencies that do.
The New York City Department of Education's Office of Adult and Continuing Education (OACE) is the largest provider of adult literacy education services in New York State. They offer tuition-free day, afternoon and evening English classes at more than 175 sites in all five boroughs.
The Adult and Continuing Education Divisions at thirteen CUNY colleges offers free English language classes, as well as basic literacy and GED High School Equivalency classes in Spanish and English to help students prepare for jobs and further education.
More advanced English language courses: These more structured programs are in great demand, so make sure that you apply as far in advance as possible.
English Language Institutes offer intensive language training on a full or part time basis at five CUNY colleges: College of Staten Island, Hunter College, Kingsborough Community College, Queens College and Queensborough Community College. Cost varies by campus.
The English Language Center at the LaGuardia Community College: The English Language Center (TELC) is the largest ESL program in the New York City metropolitan area, serving approximately 7,000 students a year.
The CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) offers academic English language preparation at nine CUNY campuses for those students who have been admitted to CUNY but need to improve their English skills before enrolling in a credit program.
English Language Institute at the Westchester Community College: Westchester Community College services over 5,000 English as Second Language students. Ten levels of ESL instruction are offered at Westchester Community College.
International Center of New York: The Center provides English-language and cultural education to more than 2,000 foreign-born individuals each year. In addition to their ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, they offer practical training workshops, civics education, and cultural and social programs.
Riverside Language Program: The Riverside Language Program offers free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes to immigrants and refugees. Intensive ESL classes (5 hours a day) encourage adults to make rapid progress in English, allowing them to participate more fully in American life in the shortest possible time. They also sponsor free part-time ESL English classes at public libraries in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.
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