ESL Classes and Small Groups

Fremont Neighborhood, Seattle

At our Learning Center in Fremont, ESL classes are held once a week for 1 ½ hours. You can take beginning, intermediate or advanced classes, or a class to learn or improve a specific skill like reading or writing. Below is a list of our current classes.

Click here to see our current class schedule.

 

Beginning Literacy ESL

This class is designed for students who are not literate in their first language or English, but who have proficient English oral communication skills.  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, spaces separate words).  This class prepares students for the Beginning ESL class.

 

Beginning ESL

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

 

Intermediate ESL

These classes help level 3 and 4 learners improve their conversation and grammar. We especially teach pronunciation and listening, but you will also practice reading and writing. Each class focuses on a cultural or practical topic like 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 add information about American culture, like music, to the classes.

 

Advanced ESL

This class is for level 5 and 6 learners. Teachers make sure that learners have strong writing and speaking skills, and help experienced learners work on new challenges. We pay special attention to understanding books, newspapers, movies and other media, understanding and using the local accent, and adjusting to life in Seattle.

 

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 give students an example of excellent English by native speakers. Learners follow along silently with the recording and then read the same words out loud 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 your pronunciation.

 

Intermediate Writing

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

 

Public Speaking & Presentation Skills

This class is designed for English language learners who would like to improve their ability to speak in front of small and large groups.  You will develop confidence and learn to improve your communication skills.

 

Computer Skills

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

 

ESL for Job Seekers

Open to beginning level students who need English to improve their skills in the job market.  Learn English for writing resumes, interviewing, and preparing for work.

Who can take these classes?
            18 years or older
            Immigrant or refugee
            People who plan to remain in the U.S.
            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 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 send an email to 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.

 

For more information contact:
info@literacysource.org
206.782.2050