Community ESL at Cornell is a program organized by local community volunteers with Cornell connections.
Community ESL at Cornell
English conversation classes are offered for spouses, partners and adult family members of international students and for visiting scholars.
These free adult classes are taught by dedicated local community members who help newcomers gain confidence in English, introduce them to local customs and provide opportunities to make new friends.
On-line registration for Spring 2024 classes is available now. Classes will be held February 5 – May 3, 2024. Please register by sending an email to eslcornell@gmail.com :
The Spring 2024 classes will meet for 1-2 hours per week either in-person on the Cornell campus or virtual via video-conferencing. Class times are:
- Mon 7-8pm, Zoom, Advanced
- Tues 10am-noon, Hasbrouck, Intermediate
- Thurs 10am-noon, Hasbrouck, Advanced
There is no cost for the classes. Anyone with questions should contact:
We are looking for local community volunteers to teach, co-teach or assist with ESL classes. ESL teaching background is not required; if you are good at organizing communication activities and leading small groups in conversation, you could lead an ESL conversation class. Please tell your friends about this opportunity, and contact us at the email above if you would like more information.
Other ESL Classes and Programs at Cornell and in Ithaca:
- English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) – Academic year: English classes once a week for visiting scholars and/or spouses. There is a fee and it’s a non-credit class: https://sce.cornell.edu/professional/program/eiss
Summer session: Full-time English Instruction for 6 weeks (must have high school diploma and be over 18 years of age): https://sce.cornell.edu/professional/program/eiss-summer - Free Tompkins County Library-sponsored “Talk Time” classes: ESL Talk Time are offered from time to time at the library! Recently classes were offered on Zoom every Wednesday, at 3:45-4:45pm. No registration is required, and participants are welcome to drop in whenever they’re available. You can learn more on the library calendar.
- Open Doors English: The Julie Rudd Coulombe Language Program – Starts Sept 14th. Anyone is eligible. There is a “sliding scale” fee. Beginner to Advanced English classes taught by experienced teachers, including all skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, and grammar), and providing a strong sense of school community. Classes are daily on the 3rd floor of the First Presbyterian Church, downtown Ithaca but virtual during the pandemic. For more information, see: Open Doors English website, or call 607-319-5051 or email hboyer.ode at gmail.com to set up an appointment or register.
- TST BOCES ESL– Free English classes offered to individuals living in the Ithaca area and who want to learn English for work, training and higher education. Classes meet all year Monday-Friday and are located on the 3rd Floor of Tioga Place, 118 N. Tioga Street in downtown Ithaca. Please email adulted at tstboces.org for more information.
- Free Advanced ESL classes at Lifelong Community Center:
- ADVANCED English as a Second Language (ESL) – conversation, idioms, pronunciation, American history and culture. Small classes, no texts to buy but will be a structured class. For more information and to see if classes will take place this fall, please visit the Lifelong website.