If you are an adult and are new to North Carolina, or want to improve or learn English as a beginner, an excellent option are the free classes offered by most of the community colleges that exist in the different counties of the state.
They are in total 58 institutions which are part of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCC), which offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes on their campuses, as it is also currently called.
Why is it important to learn English?
These English classes help learn to communicate with natives of this country, to have better employment opportunities, to learn important things about living in the United States, to be able to participate in the education of their children, and even to prepare for the citizenship exam.
Who can take English classes?
People who can take these English classes in North Carolina must be adults over 18 years of age, but some schools also accept 16- and 17-year-olds, for which a parent or caregiver consent form must be filled out.
Many of these institutions have among their requirements, in addition to age, living in the county where the community college is located. Immigration status is not It is a requirement to register for these classes.
12 community colleges with free English classes in North Carolina
Below, we cite information from twelve community colleges located in different regions of North Carolina that offer free English classes for adults. Please note that we have included that Community College websites have the option to view pages in Spanish, usually a button located at the top left.
Classes in the Wake Tech Community College (WTCC)
Wake Tech's ESL program provides free English classes to adult North Carolina residents who do not speak English as their primary language, with a focus on college and career readiness skills.
Modality: face-to-face and online.
Requirements
- ESL class spaces available are limited and in high demand.
- Registration will begin until classes are full, on the current dates.
- Registration may take up to 1 hour.
- Students between the ages of 16½ and 17 require special procedures.
Contact: ESL office: 919-334-1501, also at: 919-866-5490 or you can send an email to: ccr.registration@waketech.edu
Website: For more information on registration and schedules, visit the Wake Tech Community Colleges site
NOTE: Registration for classes is closed and January classes are full. Check back in early 2024 for updates.
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) – Mecklenburg County
Free ESL classes for adults are offered at various campuses around Mecklenburg County, lasting an average of eight weeks with an average intensity of 8 hours per week.
Classes are held on the Cato, Central, Harper and Levine campuses, as well as at various community sites. There are day and night classes.
Requirements to register
- Be 16 years or older
- Be officially withdrawn from your last K-12 public, private, or home school (if under 18)
- Not being in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa
Modality: in-person, online and some hybrid classes, but in limited space.
Contact: You can communicate in Spanish with the ESL advisors at: 704-330-2722, or write to the email: Ayuda@cpcc.edu
Website: for more information on registration and peak schedules here
Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) – Durham and Orange Counties
Durham Tech offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in Durham and Orange Counties. Classes are free. Classes, times, and locations may change without notice. Please note that English as a Second Language (ESL) classes fill up quickly and spaces are limited.
Registration: Interested students must complete a online form so they can contact you about registration.
Modality: in-person
Contact: For more details about ESL courses for adults, you can call: 919-536-7200 ext. 3228 or write to: cgl@durhamtech.edu
Website: For more registration information and schedules visit the website. Durham Tech
Guilford Technical Community College (GCCC)
The free English classes at this school in North Carolina are for adults whose first language is not English. These classes provide instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Class levels range from basic to advanced. Classes are taught day and night at its two campuses in Greensboro and High Point.
Class modality: in person and online
Childcare: GTCC also has three of its campuses where child care is offered.
Website: For more information about registration and schedules, visit the website. Guilford Technical Community College
Forsyth Tech Community College (FTCC)
Forsyth Tech offers English classes at no cost to all people who want to learn the language. Students can begin studying according to their level of English and continue to advance to higher levels until they are ready to enter university and/or improve their employment status). Classes are offered day and night from Monday to Thursday.
Modality: in person and there is an online option
Requirements:
- Living in the city of Winston-Salem in Forsyth County
- Register in person
- Have regular attendance to stay in the program
Registration: Classes start on January 16th until May 2nd. Spring registration is closed, but you can fill out the form to be added to a waiting list, in case of a vacancy.
Contact: You can call: 336-757-3719 (Spanish), or 336-734-7982.
Website: To fill out the waiting form, or for more registration information, you can visit the website. Forsyth Tech
Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) – Catawba County
The school offers free ESL classes for anyone over 16 years of age who wants to learn to read, write, speak and understand English. This program is designed for adults with limited English proficiency.
Students ages 16 and 17 must complete an additional parental consent form.
Registration It is usually the first Monday of each month, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Classes are offered from: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Contact: you can call: 828-327-7000 ext 4090. You can leave a message or email to Blanca Cárdenas: bcardenas@cvcc.edu
Website: For more information visit the site of the Catawba Valley Community College
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) – Union and Anson Counties
SPCC's ESOL program provides academic opportunities for people who want to learn to communicate in English. Placement testing and orientation are required before enrolling in ESOL classes.
Requirements: be over 18 years old, attend the orientation session and placement test that will be held on December 11 and 13, January 3 and 26, February 26 and March 4.
If you are unable to attend any of these orientation sessions, you may contact: CCR@spcc.edu
Modality: in person and online through Rosetta Stone®.
Registration: you can register in the link
English class for Au Pairs : The school offers a new class for young people who arrive through the Communication for Au Pairs program. For information you can call Amber Goodall at: 704-290-5248 or email: agoodall@spcc.edu. To confirm a registration appointment you can click the link.
Website: For more information visit the site of the South Piedmont College
Alamance Community College (ACC)
The free ESOL class program is aimed at adult learners, whose first language is not English, and helps them improve their skills in speaking, reading and writing the language.
Modality: in person, remotely, virtual and practice through the “Crossroads Café”, a DVD of the corresponding course is also provided.
Registration: Students can start courses at any time, after a placement appointment, and can progress according to their availability.
Childcare: Free childcare is also offered at two off-campus locations: CityGate Dream Center, Front Street Methodist Church, and Blessed Sacrament School.
Website: For more information visit the site of the Alamance Community College
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) Hanover and Pender Counties
ESL classes for adults at its five campuses
Modality: in-person and virtual
Requirements:
- Register for classes and attend an orientation at the main campus in Wilmington by appointment
- Being over 18 years. Young people aged 16 and 17 must have the consent form.
- Have a photo ID with the date of birth and signature of the bearer
Contact: Cindy Fisher, ESL Coordinator, call: 910-362-7184 or email: cfisher@cfcc.edu
Marcela Saucedo Gangoiti, ESL assistant, call: 910-362-7049 or write to: msaucedo706@cfcc.edu
Website: For more information visit Cape Fear Community College
Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) Burke County
Free ESL classes for adults. Free material and tutoring. Classes are taught from Monday to Thursday during the day or at night from 9:1 a.m. to 00:6 p.m. or from 00:9 p.m. to 00:XNUMX p.m.
Modality: in person
Requirements:
- Attend orientation by appointment. Appointments are available on Mondays, at 9:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.
- Being over 18 years. Minors under 18 years of age should contact the Burke County School System.
Contact: There is no ESL contact person, but you can call the WPCC general phone number at: 828-448-3500.
Registration: To request information about registration you must fill out a form that you find by clicking here
Website: For more information visit the site Western Piedmont
Asheville-Bunbombe Tech Community College (ABTCC) Buncombe County
Free ESL classes, which at this school they call English Language Acquisition (ELA), offered both day and night, Monday through Thursday.
Modality: in person and online
Requirements:
- Living in the USA
- Have more than 16 years
- Not attending public schools
- Not having an F-1 or J-1 visa
Registration and contact: You can contact the Department of Transition Studies at: 828-398-7433, or write to: learnenglish@abtech.edu Spanish is spoken.
Childcare: Free childcare is offered through a partnership with the YMCA.
Website: For more information visit the site AB Tech
Classes in the Piedmont Community College (PCC) Person, Caswell Counties
English classes for adults ESL.
Modality: in-person, online and hybrid. Online access is available 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
Requirements
- Social security number or tax identification number (ITIN)
- Current photo identification or government-issued driver's license
- Minors 16 to 17 years old will need authorization from their local public school and a guardian authorization form
Contact : For questions, you can contact Donna Rivera at: 336-322-2480 or donna.rivera@piedmontcc.edu
Website: For more information visit the site of the Piedmont Community College.
Can't find English classes near you?
To find more community college options than free English classes for adults in North Carolina, you can search for the institution in the list found on this web page Contact College. After selecting the institution, in your search engine, write: ESL free classes ; If the school offers these English classes, the information will be displayed with all the available details.
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Excuse me, can someone help me take English classes? I am 44 years old and I haven't been in North Carolina for long. I live in Lumberton, NC. I want to learn English.
Hello! Good morning!
I just arrived in North Carolina and I am looking for a free school to learn to speak English so I can find a job.
Can anyone give me more information please?
Thank you!