English as a Second Language for Adults

The Adult ESL program seeks to help any non-English speaking person to learn American English. The program enrolls approximately 1,400 students from 50 countries each year. Instruction takes place in classes and in tutoring sessions at a variety of locations throughout the county.

The focus is on teaching daily living skills including: survival coping skills (how to use the telephone, post office, public transportation, read a bus schedule, open a checking account, buy food, find community resources); skill building and grammar (practice with the structure of the language, syntax, pronunciation, conversation and listening, spelling, punctuation, idioms); and, employment-related skills (basic math computations, reading want ads, calling for information about a job, writing a letter, writing a resume, filling out job applications, going on job interviews).

Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available and are taught by experienced instructors. The program is minutes away from major universities and hospitals in the Oakland area and is easily accessible by public transportation.