News

Elgin Community College Registration for ESL and GED/HSE Classes for Spring 2022

Are you an English Language Learner and would like to improve your English? Do you want to complete your High School Equivalency (GED) in English or in Spanish? Are you preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam? Elgin Community College has classes that will help you to achieve your goals!

Open Registration for Free ESL Classes Available in Mornings & Afternoons

CMAA-Elgin offers free beginning and intermediate ESL (English as a second language) classes to any non-native English speaker. We have open registration. Please call (224) 227-7499 or e-mail at elgineslThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested!

Go Bilingual Classes at Gail Borden Library

At Go Bilingual, Spanish speakers learn English and English-speakers learn Spanish.  Led by teacher Betty Martínez, this class is a great opportunity to interact with native speakers of the language you are learning and help each other. The class is held on Wednesdays from 6-7pm on the 2nd floor of the Gail Borden Library or Zoom at 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

Learners of all levels welcome! Please register. 

Three ways to register:



Waiting List is Open at Literacy Connection

The Literacy Connection’s waiting list is open. Adults who speak limited English or have limited reading skills can register in person or by phone. The wait for an individual or small group volunteer tutor is six months or more.

The Literacy Connection is on the second floor of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120. 847-742-6565.

Register for Free Morning English Classes at YWCA

The YWCA Elgin offers free morning English classes for adults. Registration for the classes will take place Wednesday, September 13 and Thursday, September 14 from 8:30-10:30am. Location: YWCA Elgin, 220 East Chicago Street, Elgin, IL 60120. If you need more information, please contact Rose Diaz at 847-742-7930 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration for Free Evening Classes at YWCA

Registration for evening English classes at YWCA Elgin will be open on September 7 from 5:30-7:00pm at YWCA Elgin, 220 East Chicago Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Please contact Rose Diaz for additional information at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 847-742-7930. 

Citizenship Resource Fair: Sept. 9, 1-3pm

How does a permanent resident become a U.S. citizen? What is the citizenship interview like? Who can help me to prepare for the citizenship test? How can I improve my English?

Join us on Saturday, September 9 from 1-3pm to get information about becoming a U.S. citizen, watch a pretend citizenship interview and meet people and organizations who can help you to guide you on your path to citizenship.

In English and Spanish.All are welcome!

Elgin Community College Registration for ESL and GED/HSE Classes for Fall

Are you an English Language Learner and would like to improve your English? Do you want to complete your High School Equivalency (GED) in English or in Spanish? Are you preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam? Come to Elgin Community College to register for classes that will help you to achieve your goals!

Elgin Community College offers classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship, and High School Equivalency (GED). These classes are for adults (16 or over) who are not in high school and who live in the state of Illinois (International students or visitors on visas are not eligible). The classes meet either in the morning or evening, usually on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Students wanting to take citizenship classes (Saturday morning) must also take an English class the same semester. Fall classes being in August or September and are located in Elgin (am and pm), Carpentersville (pm only), and Streamwood/Hanover Park (am and pm).

Come to Elgin Community College, Building K, 410 Renner Drive, Elgin to register for classes. Please bring a government-issued photo I.D. (driver's license, passport, or country I.D.) when you come in to register. Individuals without a government I.D. cannot be registered. Also, please do not bring your children to registration.

For more information, please call 847-214-6904. Registration for fall has begun!

Studying for the Citizenship Test?

Weekly citizenship conversation groups are now being offered at the Gail Borden Public Library. With a Literacy Connection tutor, participants review and practice the spoken and written English for the interview and the 100 questions from the history/civics test. This is a drop-in group, no registration is needed. The group meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, and the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month. For additional information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..