ESL Classes and Small Groups

All classes take place in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.

At our Learning Center in Fremont, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are held once a week for 1.5 hours. You can take beginning, intermediate, or advanced classes, or a class to learn or improve a specific skill like reading or writing in English.

To take these classes, you must:

Be 18 years or older

Be an immigrant or refugee

Plan to remain in the U.S.

Please note that low-income students are placed in classes first.

To sign up for a class, you must agree:

To come to class for at least three months

To come to class regularly. If you are late or miss class without telling staff or your teacher, you can be dropped from the class

To take English tests when you are done with classes

If a class has ten students, we will start a waiting list and tell you when we have a space. Low-income students will be added to classes first. While you are waiting for a space in a class, you can study on your own with the Rosetta Stone computer program in our office.

How do I sign up?

Call 206.782.2050 or email info@literacysource.org to set an appointment to attend a New Student Orientation. After the orientation, you can register for a first meeting, called an "intake," which lasts 2-3 hours and includes a tour of our office, filling out forms, and taking English tests so we can find the class that's right for you. If there is room in the right class, you can start right away. You can take as many classes as you have time for at your level.

Current Class Schedule

Class Descriptions:

Beginning Literacy ESL

This class is designed for students who are not literate in their first language or English, but who have proficient oral communication skills in English. Students will learn to recognize, read, and write letters of the alphabet; understand sound-symbol correspondence; differentiate between upper- and lower-case letters; and recognize basic reading concepts (i.e. letters make up words, words make up sentences, and spaces separate words). This class prepares students for the Beginning ESL class.

Beginning ESL

In these classes, Level 1 and Level 2 learners practice communicating in English. You will learn about reading, writing, listening, and speaking. We will also do a lot of work on conversation skills.

Intermediate ESL

These classes help Level 3 and Level 4 learners improve their conversation and grammar. We especially focus on listening and pronunciation, but you will also practice reading and writing. Each class focuses on a cultural or practical topic, such as holidays or taking the bus, and a grammar lesson like tenses, relative clauses, or prepositions. Our idea is to have fun, but learn a lot, too! Teachers will provide information about American culture, such as music, to classes.

Pronunciation & Grammar

This class helps high intermediate and advanced learners (Levels 4-6) speak and understand English more fluently by emphasizing accuracy and clarity in pronunciation and grammar. Pronunciation practice will help you master individual sounds, as well as the intonation and rhythm of American English. Grammar study will focus on uncovering the logic that underlies the English language.

Reading Tools for Life

In this class, for learners of all levels, students listen to recordings of books and learn to read with ease and understanding. The recordings provide students with examples of excellent English read aloud by native speakers. Learners follow along silently with the recording and then read the same words aloud, while teachers and volunteers help them speak with natural rhythm, intonation, and word stress. The repetition, practice, and immediate feedback help students read better, understand more, learn new words, and improve their pronunciation.

Intermediate Writing

In this class, Levels 4, 5, and 6 ESL students practice writing paragraphs that can be used in everyday life. You might write letters such as letters of inquiry, cover letters (such as for a job application), thank you letters, and complaint letters. You may also write short essays about topics that are important to you.

Public Communication

This class is designed for English language learners who would like to improve their communication skills in a variety of settings. You will also practice giving short presentations to small groups and develop confidence in speaking English.

Computer Skills

Students with any English level can learn basic skills for using the mouse, keyboard, Internet, and more.

ESL for Job Seekers

This class is open to beginning level ESL students who need English to improve their skills in the job market. You will learn English for writing resumes, interviewing, and preparing for work.