ESL Resources English Document

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are classes to help people learn English. Classes including reading, speaking and writing skills. Learning English can give you the chance at better jobs, a higher salary, and build a brighter future for you and your family. The free or affordable ESL classes below will help you improve your language skills. Contact each location at the phone number listed and find out what works best for you.

  Harris County Department of Education- Adult Education Division

·         Free classes at multiple locations, 65 sites within Harris County,

·         For classes, any photo ID will work.

·         (713) 692-6216

·         http://www.hcde-texas.org/default.aspx?name=010.home

  Houston Community College

·         Free classes with $20 registration at multiple locations

·         Cannot attend if with F1 visa.

·         (713)718-5400 (webpage is better)

  • http://www.hccs.edu/adult-education/take-a-ged-test-or-esl-class/orientation-registration-schedule/
  Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM)

·         Classes at multiple locations for many levels; $30 fee for registration and materials

·         (713)574-7538 or  (713) 468-4516 ext. 139

·         http://www.maministries.org/#!english/c6e9

  Community Family Center-Southeast

·          7524 Avenue E, Houston, TX 77013

·          $20 enrollment with free classes

·          (713) 923-2316, (713) 923-0612, (713) 923 – 0613

·          www.communityfamilycenters.org/education.php

  Community Family Center- Southwest

·         9999 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77042

·         $20 enrollment with free classes

·         (713) 923-2316, (713) 923-0612, (713) 923 – 0613

·         www.communityfamilycenters.org/education.php

  Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans- AAMA location

·         $20 registration

·         6001 Gulf Freeway, Bldg C3, Houston, TX 77023

·         http://www.aama.org/registro/

·         (713) 929-2330

  Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans- Ashford United Methodist Church

·         $20 registration

·         2201 S. Dairy Ashford Houston, TX 77077

·         (713) 929 – 2330

  Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans- Willow Creek/ Cossaboom YMCA

·         $20 registration

·         7575 Office City Drive, Houston, TX 77012

·         (713) 929-2330

  Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans – Sanchez Charter School

·         $20 registration

·         406 E. Rittenhouse St., Houston, TX 77076

·          (713) 929-2330

  Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans – Cathedral of St Matthew

·         $20 registration

·         9101 Airline Dr., Houston, TX 77037

·         (713) 929-2330

  Fort Bend Literacy Council

·         $125 registration fee (per home) if you give  income info then can be as low as $30

·         12530 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478

·         (281) 240-8181

·         http://www.ftbendliteracy.org/esl-classes.htm

  AVANCE

·         $20 registration fee

·         4503 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77092

·         (713) 686-5228; (713) 812-0033, ext 100

·         http://www.avancehouston.org/adult-education

  Chinese Community Center

·         $20 registration fee + ~$30 for books

·         9800 Town Park, Houston, Texas 77036

·         Chinese: 713-271-6100 ext 128

·         Spanish:  713-271-6100 ext 109

·         Vietnamese: 713-271-6100 ext 273

http://ccchouston.org/esl/

  Lonestar Adult Education

·         Free classes at multiple locations in Harris County, Montgomery County, and Walker County

·         (281) 260-3576

·         www.lonestar.edu/Adult-Education

 

Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211texas.org for more information about classes in your area.


View Literacy Advance Learning Locations in a larger map

 

General Guidelines

Literacy Advance Centers
  • Pros: Best in terms of quality of education, personalization, and flexibility. Recommend these as much as possible.
  • Cons: Potentially long wait list.

Libraries and Community Centers

  • Pros: Many around town- flexibility of location.
  • Cons: Services purely based on volunteers, so not the most reliable.
Churches
  • Very disorganized, almost none have placement-specified classes.
Literacy Advance Centers (Red)

Programs
  • ESL – people who do not speak English as their first language and want to learn or improve their English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. ESL classes typically have between five or six students per tutor.
  • Special Classes – open to all students who are have completed Student Orientation, but they are organized by English level. Taught in English.

Literacy Advance – Houston Main Campus (Wilcrest)

 

2424 Wilcrest, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77042

  • Programs: ESL, ABE, and Special Classes
  • Schedule: Classes everyday except Sun
  •  Registration: Make appointment for days and time
  • Waitlist: 2.5 month waiting list
  • Placement: Applicants ranked (1-5); placement
  • Phone: 713-266-8777 (se habla español)
  •  Last update: 11/24/12

 

Literacy Advance – Bay Area

 

1300 A Bay Area Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058

  • Programs: ESL, ABE, and Special Classes
  • Schedule: Classes everyday
  • Registration: W 12:30-1:30 PM and Th 3-4 PM
  • Waitlist: None
  • Placement: Applicants ranked different levels (1-6); placement test
  • Phone: 281-282-6032 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/24/12

 

 

Local Libraries (Green)


Cy-Fair Branch Library

 

9191 Barker-Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433

  • Schedule: All classes are full; new schedule comes out in December
  • Registration: Application at library; anytime during working hours
  • Waitlist: Full
  • Placement: N/A
  • Phone: 281-290-3210 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

North Channel Branch Library

 

15741 Wallisville Rd, Houston, TX 77049

  • Schedule: Classes organized by AM/PM; indicate preferred time, date will be worked out
  • Registration: Application at library; anytime during working hours
  • Waitlist: Full; sign up in December
  • Placement: N/A
  • Phone: 281-457-1631 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

Maud Smith Marks Library

 

1815 Westgreen Boulevard
Katy, TX 77450

  • Schedule: Based off of availability of tutors/students
  • Registration: Application at library; anytime during working hours
  • Waitlist: None
  • Placement: Exam given when application is turned in
  • Phone: 281-492-8952
  • Last update: 11/16/11

Octavia Fields Branch Library

 

1503 South Houston
Humble, TX 77338

  • Schedule: Tu: 6-8 PM
  • Registration: Application at library; anytime during working hours
  •  Waitlist: None
  • Placement: Assessment given once potential student registers
  • Phone: 281-446-3377 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

Fairbanks Branch Library

 

7122 Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77040

  • Schedule: Based off of availability of tutors/ students
  • Registration: Potential student comes in and fills out application; takes 25 min written exam
  • Waitlist: None
  •  Placement: Exam given when application is turned in
  • Phone: 713-466-4438 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

West University Baptist Church

 

6218 Auden St, Houston, TX 77005

  •  Schedule: W: 6 PM on the third floor
  • Registration: Student given application when they come
  • Waitlist: None
  • Placement: None
  • Phone: 713-668-2319 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

 

Churches (Blue)


Houston First Baptist

 

7401 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024

  • Schedule: Tu, Th: 9:30-11:30AM, 7-9PM
  •  Registration: Application when student comes to class
  •  Waitlist: None
  • Placement: None
  • Phone: 713-554-8801 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

St. Phillip’s United Methodist Church

 

5501 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77096

  • Schedule: Released in January
  • Registration: Released in January
  • Waitlist: Full
  • Placement: None
  • Phone: 713-666-2175
  •  Last update: 11/16/11

 

Community Centers (Purple)


Chicano Community Center

 

7524 Ave E, Houston, TX 77012

  • Schedule: M-F: 8-11 AM, 12-3 PM, 6-9 PM
  • Registration: Come to center, fill out application
  • Waitlist: Available; classes start in January
  • Placement: Exam given once student registers
  • Phone: 713-923-2316 (se habla español)
  • Last update: 11/16/11

Crosby Community Center

 

409 Hare Rd, Crosby, TX 77532

  • Schedule: Classes open in January: call in early December for schedule
  •  Registration: Released in December
  • Waitlist: Released in December
  • Placement: ?
  • Phone: 281-462-0543
  • Last update: 11/16/11
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Rohan M. Shah
 
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