CUNY English Classes
English Language Study
Strong English Language skills are important for success on the job and in school. There are a number of opportunities available at CUNY to improve your English language skills.
There are two ways in which you can study English whether or not you plan to continue your education in a degree program at CUNY:
- The Adult and Continuing Education Divisions at fourteen 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. Click here for the current list of CUNY literacy locations and other CUNY sponsored English classes.
- English Language Institutes, which can issue I-20 forms if you plan to apply for a student visa, offer intensive language training on a full or part time basis at five CUNY colleges: College of Staten Island, Hunter College, Kingsborough Community College, LaGuardia Community College, Queens College and Queensborough Community College. Cost varies by campus.
If you wish to enroll at a CUNY college either directly or upon completion of one of the above programs, you can apply to a degree program as described in the section on admission.
Once you have been admitted to CUNY you may feel that you still need to improve your English skills. There are two options:
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. Students learn English through studying topics in American history, literature, environmental studies, and others. In this way, students build knowledge and academic skills as they develop their English language skills. CLIP students also learn the computer skills they need for college. CLIP is a low cost program (for most students it will cost $180 for 15 weeks.)
The colleges of CUNY offer reading and writing classes for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, for those who need additional English language preparation.
BROOKLYN
SUNY BEOC - Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 15 to 30 weeks
6:00pm – 9:30pm (Evening classes only!)
718-802-3329
Provides tuition FREE academic training for GED and English Classes. Classes start twice a year - Spring (Feb.) / Fall (Sept.) Semesters
Minimum Requirements to Apply:
- 18 years or older (no maximum age, all ages welcomed)
- U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident (Green Card) or Refugee status
- Resident of the State of NY for at least one (1) year prior to enrolling in the school.
- Have a low to moderate income
Kingsborough Community College
http://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/continuinged/Pages/esl.aspx
2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398
718-368-4870
Offers ESL classes Monday through Saturday. Prices may vary.
Medgar Evers College, Adult & Continuing Education
http://www.mec.cuny.edu/spcd/ace/index.asp
1534 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-804-8874
Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program
http://bcalp.org/
2900 Bedford Avenue
0118 Ingersoll Hall, Brooklyn, NY 11210
718-951-4117
BRONX
Hostos Community College, Adult Learning Center
http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/contedu/Index.html
560 Exterior Street, Bronx, NY 10451
718-518-6723
Bronx Community College, Division of Continuing Education
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/
181st Street and University Avenue
Gould Residence Hall, Room 410
Bronx, NY 10453
718-289-5834
Lehman College, The Adult Learning Center
http://www.lehman.edu/literacy-studies/adult-learning-center/who-we-are.php
250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Old Gym, Room 019
Bronx, NY 10468
718-960-8807
MANHATTAN
English Classes at the ONA Neighborhood-Based Opportunity Center
The Office for New Americans (ONA) and CUNY Citizenship Now! offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Classes will be available in the mornings, the evenings, and on Saturdays. Click here <pdf> for more information on these classes and how to register.
Borough of Manhattan Community College Continuing Education, Literacy Department
http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/ce
25 Broadway, 8th floor
New York, NY 10007
212-346-8890
Hunter College, Department of Curriculum and Teaching
http://hunteresl.pbworks.com/
695 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
212-772-4620
The City College of New York, Community Education Center
http://www.cps.ccny.edu
138th Street and Convent Avenue, Shepard Hall, Room 2
New York, NY 10031
212-650-7312
QUEENS
LaGuardia Community College, Center for Immigrant Education and Training
http://www.info.gedalc.org
31-10 Thomson Avenue, Room E-249
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-5380
LaGuardia Community College, Division of Adult and Continuing Education
http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ciet
29-10 Thomson Ave. Room C250
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-5460
Offers free ESL and civics classes as well as basic English classes. All classes meet Monday through Thursday. Call to make an appointment. Other classes may also be available.
Queensborough Community College, CUNY Center for Higher Education
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/BasicSkills/literacy/
39-07 Prince Street, 2nd Floor,
Flushing, NY 11355
718-631-6378
Offeres free ESL classes.
Queensborough Community College, Department of Basic Skills
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/BasicSkills/literacy/
222-05 56th Avenue
Bayside, NY 11364
718-631-6363 or 6371
Offeres free ESL classes.
York College Learning Center
http://www.facebook.com/yorkcollegeliteracyzone
94-43 160th Street
Classroom Building, Room CL-104
Jamaica, NY 11451
718-262-3860 or 3861
STATEN ISLAND
College of Staten Island, Adult Learning Center
http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/continue/
2800 Victory Boulevard
Building 2A, Room 201
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-982-2174
