Free ESOL Classes in Central Alabama
Free English classes for adults, day or evening, online or in person.
What We Offer
English for Everyday Life
ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. Our free classes meet in small community groups, not lectures. They focus on the English you use every day: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
We offer basic English for beginners and advanced English for people who want to build on what they know. Classes follow a school calendar and meet Monday through Thursday, during the day and in the evening.
You can join in person at schools, community centers, libraries, and churches around the region, or you can join online.
How to Get Started
Three Simple Steps
1. Contact Us: Call or send a message. Tell us your county and how you like to be contacted.
2. Find Your Class: We help you choose the class that fits your English today. You do not need to have studied English before.
3. Start Learning: Join a class in person or online, on a schedule that works around your job.
Beyond the Basics
More Than a Beginner Program
ESOL at The Literacy Council also includes an advanced academic writing class each summer, college and career readiness, and family literacy workshops that help parents support reading at home.
Learners come from more than 70 countries. ESOL is our fastest-growing program, and enrollment grew by 36 percent between 2023 and 2024.
Why English Matters
Confidence to Speak Up
Many learners already know some English. What holds them back is the fear of speaking to a doctor, a landlord, or a supervisor. Our classes build that confidence in a kind, respectful setting.
Adults of any age, any first language, and any level are welcome. Classes are free, with no fee and no income requirement. You do not need documents or a diploma to enroll.
Service Area
Where We Work
ESOL classes are offered across Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, St. Clair, and Blount counties, in person and online.
