This is a list of language learning opportunities at the University of Illinois and the surrounding Urbana-Champaign Community. Please contact the programs directly.

Updated July 2024.

University of Illinois Resources for Students and Employees

University of Illinois ESL Courses

•    For Undergraduate Students: ESL 110, 111-112, 115
•    For Graduate Students: ESL 510, 511-512, 515, 521-522, 592, 593
•    For Current and Prospective International Teaching Assistants: ESL 504, 506, 508
•    For Postdoctoral Researchers, Faculty, Staff, and Visiting Scholars: ESL 510, 592, 593

The University of Illinois ESL Program hosts a list of approved tutors for anyone interested in additional language support: https://linguistics.illinois.edu/languages/english-second-language/student-resources/english-second-language-tutors

University of Illinois Library Resources

Other English Language Opportunities for You and Your Family

University of Illinois Intensive English Institute

Since 1967, the Intensive English Institute (IEI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has helped thousands of international students improve their English language proficiency.

910 S. Fifth St. M/C-416, Champaign
Website: http://www.iei.illinois.edu
Phone: 217-333-6598

Parkland College Adult Education

Offers FREE classes in Basic Communication Skills for Everyday Life to all refugees and immigrants, and non-native speakers with limited English proficiency. There are also tuition based Pre-college ESL and Intensive ESL classes available

Phone: 217-351-2217
Website: https://www.parkland.edu/Main/Academics/Departments/Humanities/Areas-of-Study/English-As-A-Second-Language

Urbana Adult Education

Urbana Adult Education offers free beginning and intermediate classes and advanced English classes for a fee. They cover listening, speaking, reading and writing. To enroll, call or go their office to make an appointment for a placement test or for further information.

Call 217-384-3530 for more information
Address: 1106 S. Vine St. Urbana, IL
Website: http://urbanaadulteducation.org/

Global Partners

Project READ/ESL: For a free tutor for basic ESL skills, contact Project READ at the Champaign Public Library, Champaign. 
Website: https://champaign.org/event/project-read-tutoring-3010920

Privately Hosted ESL Institutes

International Hospitality Committee

Conversation classes. Free, but a textbook required for some classes. Classes held at various locations, including Orchard Downs and the basement lounge of the Goodwin & Green apartments at 300 South Goodwin, Urbana

Contact Keach Sasamori at keachs@yahoo.com

For more information, please go to https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/ihc/index.html

International Friend/Host Family Program

Contact Nancy McGlathery
nmcglath@gmail.com
(217-352-6902)
Website:
https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/ihc/intlfriends.html
https://isss.illinois.edu/training-programs/ihc/friendship.html

ESL Classes Offered by Local Churches

Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church

Free English conversation classes. Groups are small and informal. For days and times contact the church at mafmcmail@mattisave.org or telephone 217-355-5947.

1913 S Mattis Ave, Champaign (between Kirby Ave and Windsor Rd)
Website: https://mattisave.org/

First Presbyterian Church of Champaign

English Classes which focus on improving English language skills for adults. Four levels of English instruction are available. Need to contact ESL Coordinator (esl@firstpres.church) to register for ESL classes.

302 W. Church Street, Champaign
Phone: 217-356-7238
Website: https://firstpres.church/english-language-learners-ell/

Social Gatherings and Conversation Groups

English Corner

This English Corner is held Monday through Saturday at various times. Please choose the time and location and sign up via the website before joining group discussions.The purpose of this weekly meeting is to give international students an opportunity to practice English with American students in a comfortable setting. Learn more at https://www.englishcorneruiuc.us/conversation-groups.html

International Coffeehouse

The Etc. Coffeehouse at the corner of Goodwin and Green hosts an English Conversation meeting on Fridays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. See their website at https://www.uiucwesley.org/etc-coffeehouse

International Friendship Link

This organization is part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UIUC. Their group consists of UIUC students and members of the community. They look to build friendships with international students, visiting scholars, postdocs and their families through informal events that they sponsor. Website: http://www.uiucicf.org/

Other Conversation Tables

Almost every language that is studied on this campus has either a conversation table, in which just the language that is studied is spoken, or a language exchange meeting, in which half the time is spent in one language, and half the time in English. Explore the departmental websites for the University of Illinois School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics to find out more! Website: https://slcl.illinois.edu/academics/departments