Literacy & Citizenship

We offer two free ESL class sessions every year, one in late winter/early spring and another in the fall. Each 12-week session begins with in-person testing and registration to determine placement. 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 next Intermediate ESL class will be held at the Central Library from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and Thursday, Feb. 6. Please choose one.

Classes meet twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Adult Classroom from Feb. 11 – April 30. 

Reading 101

Enrollment for the late winter/early spring 2020 class is limited to continuing students only. Classes meet twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. - noon from Feb. 4 – April 9.

Need help improving your English reading and speaking skills? Get one-on-one help with a tutor. Call the Elgin Literacy Connection at (224) 215-6515 to be matched with a tutor in the Schaumburg area. 

If you're interested in helping others, we're also looking for volunteer tutors! You'll need to complete a 12-hour training and commit to spending 1 to 2 hours per week with an English language learner. If you're interested, visit the Elgin Literary Connection website or call them at (847) 742-6565. Trainings also will be held periodically at the Library; our next one is in October 2019.

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

Space is limited; email Claudia Baranowski at cbaranowski@stdl.org if you are interested in attending.

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.

Two sessions will be held beginning in January. Bring your green card with you to register at the first class.

Session 1: 6 – 9 p.m. Mondays and Fridays in the Central Library Adult Classroom from Jan. 27 – April 20.

Session 2, for Spanish speakers: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Hanover Park Branch from Jan. 11 – April 18.

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

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. 

Testing and registration will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Monday, Jan. 27. Please choose one. 

Two sessions will be held beginning in late January.

Session 1: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesdays in the Central Library Adult Classroom from Jan. 22 – April 15.

Session 2: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mondays in the Central Library Rasmussen Room from Jan. 27 – April 27. 

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

• Harper College

• Township High School District 211

• Township High School District 214

• Hanover Park Education and Work Center

• Church of the Holy Spirit