Free ESL classes in Illinois

Chicago area

• Free Community college in-persononline
  City Colleges of Chicago Adult Education ESL

  Chicago, IL

  Free English classes from beginner to advanced at campuses and sites across the city and online, covering reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar.

  Tuition-free for Illinois residents.

• Free Public library in-person
  Chicago Public Library English classes & conversation groups

  Chicago, IL

  Several branches host English classes and conversation groups in partnership with local literacy organizations; check the library events calendar.

  Free.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Chinese Mutual Aid Association English Education

  Chicago, IL

  Beginner to advanced English classes focused on work and everyday life, on Chicago's North Side.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  HANA Center Community Education

  Chicago, IL

  Four levels of ESL combined with civics, usually offered mornings and evenings.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Chinese American Service League ESL

  Chicago, IL

  General ESL classes plus career-focused English classes in the Chinatown area.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Erie Neighborhood House ESL

  Chicago, IL

  Free ESL classes with qualified teachers in Little Village, with a path into adult basic education and citizenship classes.

  Free; offered fall, winter and spring.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Instituto del Progreso Latino ESL

  Chicago, IL

  ESL on a variety of schedules, with on-site childcare while parents are in class.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Universidad Popular ESL (Learning to Succeed)

  Chicago, IL

  Multi-level morning and evening ESL classes that tie English to practical life skills.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Aquinas Literacy Center

  Chicago, IL

  One-on-one English tutoring and conversation groups on Chicago's South Side.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes and tutoring.

• Free Nonprofit in-persononline
  PODER Integrated English Program

  Chicago, IL

  Six levels of ESL in the morning and evening, virtually or in person, on the Southwest Side.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Polish American Association ESL

  Chicago, IL

  Beginner to advanced ESL on the Northwest and Southwest sides, with morning, evening and weekend hours.

  Classes and materials free of charge; school year runs September–June.

• Free Nonprofit in-person
  Literacy Chicago ESL

  Chicago, IL

  Beginning, intermediate and advanced ESL in small groups at several locations.

  Listed by Chicago Public Library among free classes.