ESL Classes

Learn English with Hudson County Community College's Continuing Education! We will develop a personalized ESL plan to help you achieve your goals and open opportunities!

Benefits of Studying with HCCC's Continuing Education:

Professional, Supportive Instructors
Comprehensive Progress Evaluations
Affordable - No Registration Fee!
Placement test for new students is only $10

FREE Access to:

Library Services, Computer Labs, Personal Tutoring

Classes Available:

Union City, Jersey City and Online!

** Fall 2025 classes are In-Person and Virtual! **

The last day to register for In-Person classes is September 25th at 3pm.
The last day to register for Online classes is October 16th at 3pm.

A placement test is required for ALL new students who want to enroll in CE ESL classes (Fee: $15). ALL students MUST have a computer to take online classes.
*Some classes are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.*

To Register for non-credit Continuing Education ESL classes and for more information, please call (201) 360-4224/5358 or email CEFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.
If you are interested in earning an Associate Degree, learn more at the Academic ESL department page.

ESL Level Classes

In-Person ESL Level Classes
10 - 12 weeks | $325 per level
Students meet weekly with their classmates and teacher in-person only.

Virtual ESL Level Classes
8 weeks | $250 per level
Classes are interactive. Students meet weekly for live, virtual meetings.

Level 1 - Low Beginner

This class is designed to focus on building a strong foundation in basic skills. Students practice simple sentences and phrases for everyday situations like introductions and basic questions. The class emphasizes listening and speaking through repetition, role-play, and short dialogues, while also introducing basic reading of common words and simple sentences and writing short phrases or filling in blanks. Instruction is supported with visual aids, gestures, modeling, and a slow pace with plenty of repetition, all rooted in real-life contexts such as shopping or classroom interactions. By the end of the course, students should be able to recognize and use essential vocabulary, understand and respond to simple phrases, read and write basic words and sentences, and gain confidence communicating in familiar, predictable situations, making this class the first step toward survival skills and comfort in language use. 

Fall 2025

In-Person

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
9am-11:30am
Journal Square Campus

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm
Journal Square Campus

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
9am-11:30am
North Hudson Campus

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm
North Hudson Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

Virtual

October 13 - December 8
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm

Level 2 - Intermediate Beginner

This class builds on the basics and helps learners expand their vocabulary, sentence structures, and confidence in using language in everyday contexts. Students move beyond simple words and phrases to form slightly longer sentences, ask and answer common questions, and participate in short conversations about familiar topics such as family, daily routines, shopping, or food. The class emphasizes improving listening and speaking skills through dialogues, role-plays, and guided practice, while also strengthening reading skills with short passages and practical texts, and writing skills by creating simple paragraphs or filling out basic forms. Instruction is still supported with visuals, modeling, and repetition, but at a slightly faster pace with more opportunities for independent practice. By the end of the course, students should be able to understand and use frequently used vocabulary and expressions, read and write short but meaningful texts, and communicate more comfortably in routine, everyday situations, showing growing independence and fluency. 

Fall 2025

In-Person

September 23 - December 2
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9am-11:30am
Journal Square Campus

September 23 - December 2
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30pm-9pm
Journal Square Campus

September 23 - December 2
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9am-11:30am
North Hudson Campus

September 23 - December 2
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30pm-9pm
North Hudson Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

Virtual

October 14 - December 9
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30pm-9pm

Level 3 – High Beginner

This class helps learners strengthen their foundational skills while beginning to use language more independently and in a wider range of everyday situations. Students expand their vocabulary to include more descriptive words and common expressions, practice combining sentences, and engage in longer conversations on familiar topics such as work, travel, hobbies, and community activities. Listening and speaking activities focus on understanding longer dialogues, asking for clarification, and expressing opinions in simple ways, while reading tasks involve short stories, articles, or practical texts like menus and schedules. Writing practice includes composing short paragraphs, notes, or messages with clearer structure and detail. Instruction moves at a steady pace with continued support, but learners are encouraged to take more risks, practice independently, and use context to understand meaning. By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate in a wider variety of everyday situations, understand and produce connected sentences, read and write short but coherent texts, and show greater confidence and independence in expressing themselves. 

Fall 2025

In-Person

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
9am-11:30am
Journal Square Campus

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm
Journal Square Campus

September 26 - December 19
Fridays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

September 22 - December 1
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm
North Hudson Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 27 - December 20
Saturdays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
Journal Square Campus

September 28 - December 21
Sundays
9am-1pm
North Hudson Campus

Virtual

October 13 - December 8
Mondays and Wednesdays
6:30pm-9pm

Level 4 – Low Intermediate

This class supports learners as they transition from basic communication to more confident and flexible language use in everyday life. Students expand their vocabulary to cover a wider range of topics such as health, community, work, and social situations, while learning to use different verb tenses and more complex sentence structures. Speaking and listening practice focuses on participating in longer conversations, giving simple explanations, and understanding the main ideas of short stories, news, or everyday discussions. Reading activities involve slightly longer passages, articles, or functional texts, while writing tasks include composing short letters, emails, or multi-paragraph texts with clearer organization. Instruction encourages more independent learning, problem-solving through language, and greater focus on accuracy while maintaining fluency. By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate comfortably in most routine and some new situations, express ideas and opinions in connected speech and writing, and demonstrate greater confidence in navigating real-life tasks using language. 