Local ESOL Resources

The current schedule of language classes and groups at Capital Area District Libraries. 

CADL offers online language instruction through Transparent Language Online, which is free to CADL library card holders. Learn more about Transparent Language Online.

Adult ESOL Groups Programs

*Virtual ESOL Reading & Conversation (Adults)
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Practice your English reading and speaking skills by reading articles aloud and discussing them with others. Participants will also learn about American culture and common English expressions. This group is not formal English instruction. *Registration required by emailing stantone@cadl.org. You will receive instructions on joining our Microsoft Teams session.

*Virtual Conversational Spanish for Adults
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Learn about culture and practice your Spanish with native speaker instructors using Microsoft Teams Meeting app. This is not a Spanish class. The topics are separate for each session and do not have any progression. *For more information and to register, send an email to Paola at sanchezp@cadl.org. Limited to 8 participants.

Children’s ESOL Groups Programs

*Virtual Children’s ESOL Group (K-2nd grades)
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Children will practice basic level English listening, speaking, and pronunciation with on-line instructors using Microsoft Teams app. Sessions feature different themes. *Register by sending an email with your child’s name, age & grade level to Ms. Andrea at rodrigueza@cadl.org. Limited to 10 students.

*Virtual Children’s ESOL Group (3rd grade and up levels)
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Children will practice reading, writing, speaking and listening to English with on-line instructors using Microsoft Teams app. Sessions feature different themes. *Register by sending an email with your child’s name & grade level to Ms. Andrea at rodrigueza@cadl.org. Limited to 10 students.

Citizenship Class 
View Program Dates or Register Online 

Join us online on Tuesdays to practice for the USCIS Naturalization Test in a relaxed setting. We will use the first half hour to practice speaking English. The next hour will be spent on prep for the reading, writing, and civics sections. *Registration is required for each session you wish to attend; call 517-367-6363 or click on "register." Registrants will be emailed a link to our Microsoft Teams meeting a few days prior to the event. 

Local ESOL Resources

Capital Area Literacy Coalition 1028 E. Saginaw, Lansing, MI  48906. (517) 485-4949. www.thereadingpeople.org   Email:  mail@thereadingpeople.org

They are a private non-profit organization that provides free ESOL services for all levels. Please call for current offerings.  

English Language Center (ELC) MSU  Wells Hall, MSU campus, 619 Red Cedar Rd., Room B-230, East Lansing, MI  48824.   (517) 353-0800. www.elc.msu.edu Email:elc@msu.edu   

This is an English program for international students who need to improve their English language skills before beginning academic coursework or for individuals who are not seeking a degree from MSU, but who want to improve their English skills.  They have 18-20 hrs. of instruction a week and cultural enrichment activities and field trips. ELC students are part of the University Community and all MSU facilities are open to them. 

The ELC also runs the English Language Center ESL Lab.  This is housed at B230 Wells Hall (517-353-0800 for appointments) and it is where international students enrolled in academic classes at MSU can receive free writing tutoring from trained ESL writing consultants. First priority for the ESL Lab goes to WRAC and IAH students. However, undergraduate and graduate international students are welcome to make appointments with the understanding that they could be bumped by the WRAC and IAH students and would have to reschedule.

Lansing Community College (LCC) The Job Training Center at Lansing Community College offers many beginner- and intermediate-level English courses for speakers of other languages; scholarships are available. Visit lcc.edu/JTC, call 517-483-1857 or email JTC@lcc.edu for more information. The college also hosts international advisors through its Global Student Services department, which helps international students navigate admissions and enrollment processes and connects them with local resources.

Lansing School District Adult Education   Classes are held at Elmhurst Elementary, 2400 Pattengill Rd., Lansing, MI.    (517) 755-4063 or (517) 755-4040.

They offer free classes from Pre-Literacy (non-English Speakers) to a 9th grade reading level.  After that level students go to “Adult Basic Education” (ABE) for their Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) preparation. Please call for current schedule.

Refugee Development Center  600 W. Maple St. Suite A, Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 999-5090 www.refugeedevelopmentcenter.org

Offers ESOL classes. Please call for details.

St. Vincent Catholic Charities  2800 W. Willow, Lansing, MI  48917.   (517) 323-4734   Email: yut@stvcc.org

Offers ESOL classes. Please call for details.

Related Resources

Immigrant & Refugee Resource Collaborative's (IRRC) Toolbox of Electronic Resources

U.S. Citizenship Resource Center

For further assistance please contact Jill Abood, Community Engagement Specialist, aboodj@cadl.org.