English as a Second Language (ESL)

English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction is a free educational opportunity for adult community members, 17 years of age or older, whose primary language is other than English. ESL classes improve a student's English skills in the areas of conversation, listening/speaking, reading and writing for the purpose of community participation, employment or to further educational opportunities.

There are seven course levels, beginning through high-intermediate. Classes meet four to 10 hours per week at more than 25 locations throughout the district during the morning, afternoon and evening.

ESL Express
Did you know that you can complete an ESL class in just 8 weeks? ESL Express allows students to move through the ESL levels at an accelerated pace. Classes meet four days per week and are available in Bensenville, Glen Ellyn and West Chicago.

Registration
All students must take a placement test and attend a short orientation/intake session prior to registration. Placement testing, orientation and registration take approximately 2½ hours. Children are not allowed in the testing room so please plan ahead.
Call (630) 942-3697 for registration days and times.

What's Next?
College of DuPage has several options for students who want to continue their education or training after completing the ESL program.
Students can register in the Academic ESL program to obtain the English skills necessary to take college-level classes and start a degree program. The Adult Basic Education (ABE)/General Educational Development (GED) program allows students lacking a high school diploma to build their reading, writing and math skills in order to pass the GED exams and obtain a high school equivalency certificate. For students wanting to begin a career path, College of DuPage offers numerous certificate programs which, upon completion, provide the qualifications necessary to obtain employment in industries such as health care, information technology, criminal justice or hospitality to name a few.

Academic ESL

For Academic ESL, please call (630) 942-2047 or email liberalarts@cod.edu.  Visit the Academic ESL page.

 

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Adult Education and ESL Office
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110, (630) 942-3697
Fax: (630) 942-3804

Summer Hours - May 31 to August 2

• View Campus Summer Hours

Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.