Chattanooga offering free English as Second Language classes in 2024

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The City of Chattanooga will soon be offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

These classes will begin on January 8, 2024.

They will be open to the public and offered at the East Lake Community Center. The Chattanooga Department of Equity and Community Engagement will be offering the classes.

Class orientation will take place on December 13 and 15, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Community Center.

The city says these classes will focus on workforce development and civic engagement. In addition, classes will help prepare students for a high school education and provide resources for secondary education.

“While New Americans are required to demonstrate an ability to speak English at the time of their naturalization exam, ESL is not just about learning the language. It’s about bridging cultures, expanding connectivity, and unlocking opportunities,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “I applaud the Office of Equity & Community Engagement and the partner organizations for taking the initiative to help remove what can be a barrier for non-native speakers and accelerating the process of integrating into our community.”

Those interested may sign up for classes here.