Learn more about Literacy & Citizenship:

Learn English, improve your reading skills or prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam with resources available at the Library, including:

  • English as a second language classes and book discussions
  • Weekly conversation clubs
  • Citizenship preparation courses
  • A special collection of books, CDs and DVDs to help improve English skills

Do you need help with writing a letter or resume, completing an application or using Library learning tools? Fill out a Book a Librarian request to meet with our Literacy Coordinator.

Mango Languages

Try online English courses for native speakers of many different languages. 

Literacy & Citizenship Classes

Explore our classes for ESL students, prospective citizens and more.

Pronunciator

Learn a new language and join a live chat to practice your skills. 

English as a Second Language

We offer two free ESL class sessions every year, one in spring and another in fall. Each 12-week session begins with in-person testing and registration to determine placement. You must attend the first session to register; online and phone registration are not available. Classes must be taken as a block from the beginning of the session and cannot be started part-way through.

Intermediate ESL

Testing and registration for the fall 2018 Intermediate ESL class will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 and Thursday, Sept. 6. Please choose one session.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Reading 101

This session is for advanced students who have tested out of standard ESL courses.

Testing and registration for the fall 2018 Reading 101 class will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Thursday, Aug. 30. Please choose one session.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to Noon.

Conversation Clubs

We host free discussion groups for intermediate students who want to use and improve their English speaking skills.  

Space is limited; email Helen Stewart at hstewart@stdl.org if you are interested in attending.

ESL Book Discussions

Join a book discussion with other English-language learners. Our next book discussion is at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the Hoffman Estates Branch Library. We're reading A Step from Heaven by An Na.

Online Tools for Learning English

Brainfuse HelpNow

Tutors are available from 2 - 9 p.m. every day with live homework help for math, science, English, social studies and adult learning. Take ACT, SAT, AP, GED, TOEFL and U.S. citizenship practice tests. 

Go to Brainfuse HelpNow >

Citizenship Classes

Prepare for your naturalization exam and interview with our free, 12-week citizenship classes. To register, you must attend the first class and present a green card. Online and phone registration are not available. 

Classes will be held at the Central Library on Mondays and Fridays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the Adult Classroom.

The first session will be held Friday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Can't make it to class, but still want to prep for the test? Try ProCitizen.

Read to Learn

This 10-week class is designed for adults who already speak English but want to improve their reading and writing skills. We'll test your reading level at the first class so we know the best ways to help you learn. You must attend the first session to register; online and phone registration are not available. 

Please choose only one session.

Session 1: Begins Monday, Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Session 2: Begins Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 9:30 a.m.

More ESL Resources

Contact these community organizations directly for more information about their English as a Second Language classes: