ESL Classes

Our English as a Second Language (ESL) program serves adults in east King County, including the Snoqualmie Valley. Classes for limited English speakers are offered at the Bellevue and Carnation offices, as well as at partner locations throughout the area. Each class is conducted by trained volunteer facilitators and meets once or twice a week.

Class Descriptions

  1. ESL Beginner classes Free adult ESL beginner classes are offered at three levels – low-beginning, beginning and high-beginning. Classes are held two or three times per week and focus on preparing students for employment and/or post-secondary education. Classes teach communication skills for daily living - listening, speaking, reading and writing- in nine content areas.

    Preregistration and placement testing are required for these classes. Beginning English speakers should call, or have someone call for them, to preregister for placement tests and verify their eligibility for the classes. Call 425-250-3007.

    Who is eligible? Adults 18 years of age and older who plan to attend all class sessions and progress testing are eligible. Individuals on visitor, student, or academic visas (VISA TYPES: B, F, M, J) are not eligible for this program.

    Why do we test for these classes? Placement testing and orientation ensure that students are placed in the appropriate class for their language skills, and know what to expect of a Hopelink ESL class. We also identify students’ learning goals, so that students, teachers and education coordinators can monitor the learning process and see students achieve their goals.

    Pre-testing sets the baseline for a student and establishes what they need to learn at the beginning of the educational process. Post-testing at the end of each quarter shows students their progress and establishes the baseline for the next quarter.

  2. ESL Talk Time classes

    Talk Time groups provide a safe setting for practicing the English conversation skills of listening and speaking needed to build relationships and successfully interact in American society and the workplace. The focus is on acquiring fluency in the use of already learned language. Trained facilitators guide students to converse using topic sheets and activities.

    Students join groups according to their own comfort level. Walk-ins welcome. Call 425-250-3009 for information.

    Who is eligible? Adults 18 years of age and older who are high-beginner to advanced level non-native English speakers.