ELL (English Language Learners) Answers
Learning English? Use our classes and resources to help you on your second language journey.
You must have a library card to access our databases.
Regional ESL/ESOL/English Classes
Many are free or low-cost.
Classes taught by professional instructors
Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education (RARAE), opens a new window
540-898-8165, 9am to 3pm, Mon-Fri
Offers in-person daytime and evening classes in the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline.
Classes meet Sept-Dec and Feb-May. Registration appointments are necessary. The fee is $75 per semester. Tuition waivers available for qualified students.
Germanna Community College- Adult ESOL Courses, opens a new window
Northern Virginia Community College, opens a new window
The (ACLI) serves local residents, visitors to Virginia, and international students. ACLI has both Intensive English and part-time class options which help students improve their English skills for life, study, and work. ACLI offers English classes online via Zoom and Canvas and at most NOVA campuses. This is not a low-cost program, but it is intensive for those interested.
YMCA International Language School (virtual classes)
- Placement Test + $20 registration fee
- Adult English Courses, opens a new window - https://ymcalanguages.com/
General English Course: 5 days per week for 4 weeks, total of 70 hours, $990.
Specific Topics English Courses (Conversation, Pronunciation, Reading & Writing, English at Work) : 16 hours per course, $300 per course.
English as a Second Language and Immigrant Ministries (ESLIM)
703-841-0292, ESLIM.org, opens a new window
Offers English classes for adult learners from beginning, intermediate, and advanced in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Manassas, Reston, Springfield, Vienna, and Washington, D.C.
Meets twice per week for two hours, taught by trained volunteer teachers.
(Small fees, but offers many scholarships for those unable to pay)
Free Church-based Classes
The following local churches offer English classes on the indicated days and times. Contact the church at the listed phone number for more information.
Blend Fredericksburg, opens a new window
Tuesdays & Thursdays
200 Prince Edward Street
Fredericksburg VA 22401
(540) 300-1334 - Call to register
Chancellor Baptist Church, opens a new window
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30pm
11324 Gordon Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 786-6927
Beginning to advanced levels
Contact: Pastor Larry Jimenez at larry.jimenez@chancellorbaptist.org, opens a new window
New Life in Christ Church, opens a new window
Mondays 6:30 - 8:00pm
11925 Burgess Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 786-4848
Multi-level classes; Childcare available
Coordinator: Liz Rumbaugh (540) 424-5800
Citizenship Study Groups/ Resources
USAHello Citizenship Guide: Prepare for Naturalization, opens a new window
USA Learns, opens a new window now has a free U.S. Citizenship course to help you prepare for your citizenship or naturalization interview. The course has four units:
Unit 1: Steps to Becoming a U.S. Citizen
Unit 2: N-400 Interview Practice
Unit 3: Civics, Reading and Writing Practice
Unit 4: Your Interview and New Citizenship
For study at home or on your mobile device, CRRL has online language learning resources.
Transparent Languages
Learn English for free with this interactive database that provides step-by-step lessons. English lessons are available in 36 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Pashto, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. There is also an immersion option to learn English in English, and a KidSpeak option that is more friendly for children. You can download the mobile app for Android or iPhone or iPad. You will need your CRRL card number to access this resource.
Kanopy Streaming Video English lessons
Kanopy has educational videos and documentaries, as well as classic and foreign films. Once registered and signed on with your library card, go to ESL & Languages. You can watch up to ten Kanopy videos per month with each library card in your family.
Mango Languages
Learn English for free with this interactive database that provides step-by-step lessons. Lessons are available for Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, German, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish (Latin American), Turkish, and Vietnamese speakers. You can download the mobile app for Android or iPhone or iPad. You will need your CRRL card number to access this resource.
Universal Class
Over 500 online education courses on subjects ranging from accounting to crafts & hobbies to improving writing skills. Register for free with your library card number. Search for English classes.
More Library Databases
Lenguajes de Mango
Transparent Language
From the Web
Rong-Chang’s ESL: English as a Second Language
Free English learning resources. A starting point for ESL (English as a Second Language) learners who want to learn English through the World Wide Web. Links to English listening and speaking, grammar, reading and writing, ESL course information, bilingual dictionaries, ESL learners' home pages, and other ESL sites.
USA Learns English and Citizenship Courses
USA Learns has four English courses to help you learn beginning and intermediate English. The courses include videos and interactive learning activities to help you practice and improve your English skills in listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, pronunciation, reading, writing, speaking and life skills. USA Learns now has a U.S. Citizenship course to help you prepare for your citizenship or naturalization interview and will help you with the information and language you need to become a U.S. citizen.
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
The Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center (VALRC), provides adult education and literacy resources, publications, and training for adult education practitioners in Virginia.
Voice of America News for English Learners
Learning English is VOA’s multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide. Free and no registration is required.
Learning English Online - Grammar, Vocabulary, Exercises, Tests, & Games
You will find a lot of information about the English language on this site. You can learn English words, practise grammar, look at some basic rules, prepare for exams, do tests or just have fun playing games. Enjoy yourself with more than 1,000 exercises online.
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Online English listening comprehension focus on everyday English comprehension skills at three levels based on content, voices, vocabulary, and natural speed.
English Club
A free website designed to help you learn English online. You can make your own English page with blogs, photos, videos, music, groups and friends, test your level in English and get help with English grammar, study English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, play English games and do English quizzes online, chat in English with other students and teachers, find schools where you can learn English at home or abroad, find penpals for English practice.
Proficiency Testing Resources
Please note we are providing the following links as a courtesy. These are not associated with our library, and there may be fees associated with the tests.
Duolingo English Proficiency Test
The Duolingo English Test is a modern English proficiency assessment for today’s international students and academic institutions. The test is available online, on demand. You don’t have to make an appointment or travel to a test center—you can take the test from your home via a computer and webcam. Check with your academic organization to make sure they accept the Duolingo English proficiency test. There is a fee for this test.
EF Standard English Test
Get an accurate assessment of your English level from home. Objectively scored standardized English tests for all level learners - from beginner to advanced. Receive a free personalized online English certificate.
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. The test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test center. It is taken on your own computer at home and is monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®. At home administrations are currently available around the clock 4 days a week. There is a fee for this test.
