To Contact for Tutors or Classes

Below is a list of groups which offer tutoring or classes for ESL in the Chicago area. The National Literacy Directory can be used to search for similar organizations throughout the country.

1. College of DuPage
   Profile of College of DuPage Library’s ESL Collection
   425 Fawell Blvd.
   Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
   (630) 942-3697
   Link to College of DuPage’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Page
   Several levels of ESL classes are offered, some of which are free. Classes are offered in several locations in DuPage County. Volunteer tutors are also available. All classes require placement testing before registration. Classes fall into the following categories:
   • Adult ESL: Literacy/Community Language Skills: Classes help develop English language skills needed in everyday life.
   • ESL: Academic/Professional Program: Tuition based program that offers classes in Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Listening/Speaking.
   • ESL: Family Literacy: For parents wanting to develop English language and reading skills to help their children succeed at school.
2. Harper College Library
   Reading Room Library at the Learning and Career Center
   1375 South Wolf Road, Room 104
   Prospect Heights, IL 60070
   Contact: Oscar Arellano and Donna Culhane at (847) 925-6000 ext. 2486
   Email: oarellan@harpercollege.edu
   Link to Harper College’s Website
3. Illinois Adult Learning Hotline
   (800) 321-9511
   Trained bilingual (English and Spanish) operators provide local program referrals for English as a Second Language classes and volunteer tutors.
4. Indian Trails Public Library District
   355 Schoenbeck Road
   Wheeling, IL 60090
   • Beginning
     Learn basic words to describe family, home, food and other simple phrases. Practice what you learn through activities and games. Register at www.itpld.org or 847-279-2232.
     Monday & Wednesday from 10:30 a.m.-noon.
   • Intermediate
     Learn simple phrases for shopping, interviews and getting around. Practice what you learn through activities and games. Register at www.itpld.org or 847-279-2232.
     Monday & Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. OR Tuesday & Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m.
   • Advanced
     Learn idioms, phrasal verbs, metaphors and similes. Practice what you learn using material from books, movies and radio. Register at www.itpld.org or 847-279-2232.
     Tuesday & Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m..
5. Literacy DuPage
   24W500 Maple Ave., #217
   Naperville, IL 60540
   (630) 416-6699, FAX: 416-9465
   Link to Literacy DuPage Website
   Email: info@literacydupage.org
   Provides one-on-one tutoring at a time and place convenient to both the tutor and student. They are currently looking for tutors. Contact Carol Garcia to volunteer. Recommended Resources for Literacy DuPage
6. Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley
   Profile of Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley
   St. Charles Public Library
   One South Sixth Avenue
   St. Charles, IL 60174
   (630) 584-4428
   Link to Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley Website
   Email: info@lvfv.org
   Provides one-on-one tutoring for adult students in St. Charles, Batavia, Geneva and Elburn. They are currently looking for tutors.
7. Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County
   Profile of Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County
   Mailing address: PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304
   Office address: 1010 W. Lake St. Suite 603B, Oak Park, IL 60301
   (708) 848-8499, Office hours are by appointment only
   Link to Literacy Volunteers Western Cook County Website
   Email: info@lvwcc.org
   Recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) Acquisitions
   Provides one-on-one tutoring at a time and place convenient to both the tutor and student. They are currently looking for tutors.
8. Lyons Township Adult & Community Education
   Profile of Lyons Township Adult & Community Education
   100 S. Brainard Ave.
   LaGrange, IL 60525
   (708) 579-6573
   Link to Lyons Township Adult & Community Education Website
   Email: twelge@lths.net
   Provides classroom ESL at different levels for adult students in two locations.
9. Morton College – Project CARE
   3801 S. Central Ave
   Cicero, IL 60804
   (708) 656-8000 ext. 383
   Contact Karin Johnsey
   Link to Project Care’s Website
   Email: projectcare@morton.edu
   Offers one-to-one and small group tutoring to ABE and ESL adult learners in reading, writing, and conversation. We are currently seeking tutors.
10. Oakton Community College
    Des Plaines Campus
    1600 East Golf Road
    Des Plaines, IL 60016
    847.635.1600
    Skokie Campus
    7701 North Lincoln Avenue
    Skokie, IL 60077
    847.635.1600
    Free ESL classes; Free Citizenship Classes
    There are ESL and Citizenship classes an many libraries in the area through the Oakton Community College.
    Link to Oakton Community College’s VITA (Volunteers in Teaching Adults)
11. People’s Resource Center
    201 S. Naperville Road
    Wheaton, IL 60187
    (630) 682-5402 ext. 337
    PRC Southeast
    104 Chestnut Ave.
    Westmont, IL 60559
    Contact Maryanna Milton: (630) 682-5402 ext. 251, mmilton@peoplesrc.org
    Link to People’s Resource Center Website
    Offers ESL classes, basic academic skills, GED or citizenship test preparation, and more. The Literacy program is flexible, providing free classes, small groups, and one-on-one instruction at locations and times convenient for students and volunteers.
    It also has One Book, One People: a monthly book group, with selections from around the world, and often bringing people of diverse cultures together
12. School on Wheels
    Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange
    1515 W. Ogden Ave.
    LaGrange Park, IL 60526-1721
    (708) 354-9200
    Link to School on Wheels Website
    Email: schoolonwheels@csjlagrange.org
    Contact Deborah Bradt
    Receive free one-on-one tutoring once a week for one hour in Berwyn, Brookfield, Cicero, Downers Grove, Hodgkins, Lombard, Summit, Woodridge, and Villa Park. Tutors can also help students prepare for GED and citizenship tests.
13. Township High School District 214 Community Education
    2121 South Goebbert Road
    Arlington Heights, IL 60005
    Contact: Kelly Barinholtz, Transitions Coordinator, i-Pathways and Bridge Head Instructor at (847) 718-7876
    Link to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Program at District 214
    • Provides Adult Education classes in literacy, ESL, ABE/GED and transitioning services.
    • High School District 214 Community Education Read to Learn Adult Literacy/Volunteer program offers Free one-to-one tutoring for adult learners reading English below the ninth grade level. Adult learners are matched with a train volunteer. A Site Supervisor provides individualized lesson plans and materials based on the adult learners level, need and interest.
    • There are thirteen locations to choose from: morning, afternoon, and evening classes. For more information contact Kim Petersen at (847) 718-7724 or Lesley Goldberg at (847) 718-7720.
14. World Relief Refugee Office – DuPage
    1825 College Ave., Suite 230
    Wheaton, IL 60187
    (630) 462-7566
    Link to World Relief DuPage’s Website
    Email: MSweeney@wr.org
    Contact Marilyn Sweeney

If your organization would like to be on this list, please contact LEARN at joep@ippl.info. Your message should include a telephone number and the name of a responsible person.