English Tutoring - ESOL

ESOL Students smiling with thumbs up
English opens doors.

Our mission is to help English language learners in West Palm Beach improve their English in order to further their opportunities.

Our program started in 2019, and currently consists of:

1. Tutoring — We have volunteers from the community as well as an AmeriCorps member providing one-on-one ESOL tutoring here at the library.

To sign up for the waitlist for this free tutoring, please fill out our online form. If the waitlist is currently full, please check back often. We open the waitlist when we anticipate having a tutor available soon.

ESOL request form

(For more information on being a volunteer ESOL tutor at the library, please see our ESOL Volunteer page.) 

2. English for Workplace Readiness — Associate Librarian Alyssa teaches a workshop once a month on different topics related to jobs and the workplace. These workshops are two hours long. This is a drop-in program. No registration is required. To see what’s currently being offered, check out our program calendar. 

FAQs

Do I have to pay anything?

No, these offerings are free, and so are the materials. It's a service of the library, made possible in part through a partnership with Literacy AmeriCorps of Palm Beach County.

What documents or IDs do I need?

None. We will ask for your name and contact info, but we do not need to see any ID. You do not have to be a resident of West Palm Beach or Palm Beach County.

When can I start?

Anytime! As long as there is a spot open.

What if I can't continue the tutoring sessions?

You can stop attending anytime, no problem. We do appreciate it if you let us know, so that we can open the spot for another student. (If we have a waiting list, we will not hold a spot for a student who misses three tutoring sessions.)

How do I start?

For tutoring, please call us at (561) 868-7701 to see if we have a spot open. For the English for Workplace Readiness workshops, you are welcome to just join in.

Is there any diploma or certificate?

No, this is for personal enrichment. Better communication will be your achievement, as well as your reward.

Who teaches the classes?

Alyssa teaches the ESOL intermediate reading and grammar classes. She has a master's degree in TESOL and many years of experience teaching English as a Second Language at the Community College level.

Volunteer ESOL tutors from the community come from many different backgrounds. Some are retired, while others are still working. Some have teaching experience, while others do not. But they are all truly caring folks that have responded to our call for volunteers. They all go through a background check, are given an orientation to the program, and are trained in tutoring adults in ESOL.

Every year, in partnership with Literacy AmeriCorps of Palm Beach County, an AmeriCorps member is assigned to the library for a year of community service as an ESOL tutor. The AmeriCorps member is always a college graduate with a passion for helping people.

Do I need a library card?

No, you don't need a library card to participate in our ESOL program. But we will suggest it from time to time, because it's just a great idea! With a library card, you can borrow books and download Ebooks and Audiobooks from the library.

Get a library card!

Start downloading free Ebooks, Audiobooks, and more with your library card!

What else can you recommend? Are there any other classes/resources available?

Below is a list of other ESOL classes that we know of in our area, in case our program is full or doesn't work for you. Call them directly for more information.

And here are some of our favorite online resources.

Grammar and Writing Resources

Listening Practice

Studying for TOEFL

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