Free · Checked Oct 22, 2026
Free English classes in Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago teaches English for free to Illinois residents 18 and older. The public library also runs free conversation groups.
Looking for free English classes near you? City Colleges of Chicago offers free English (ESL) classes for adults at campuses across the city. For people in Chatham, South Chicago, South Shore, Calumet Heights and Avalon Park (ZIP codes 60617, 60619, 60649 and 60628), the closest are Olive-Harvey College's two sites: the main campus at 10001 S Woodlawn Ave and the South Chicago campus at 3055 E 92nd St, which also offers citizenship test prep.
Last checked: Oct 22, 2026. Call before you go: hours change.
Not sure which one is closest? Type your ZIP code and we'll sort them by distance from your home, in English or French.
Find the closest one to your ZIP →7 places, closest to 87th St first
Olive-Harvey College - Adult Education
City Colleges of Chicago adult education · 1.7 mi from Yado
10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Main Building, Room 3114, Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: (773) 291-6690
Free English classes and free GED for Illinois residents 18+. Office: Mon–Wed 9am–5pm, Thu 9am–6pm, Fri 9am–1pm.
Olive-Harvey College - South Chicago Campus (Adult Education)
City Colleges of Chicago adult education · 1.9 mi from Yado
3055 E. 92nd Street, Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: (773) 291-6770
Free English (ESL), GED and citizenship test prep for Illinois residents 18+. Mon/Tue/Fri 9am–5pm, Wed/Thu 9am–6pm.
Chicago Public Library - Vodak-East Side Branch (English conversation group)
Library English conversation group · 3.5 mi from Yado
3710 E. 106th Street, Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: (312) 747-5500
English conversation practice with Literacy Chicago, Fridays at 2pm. For people who already speak some English. Register first: (312) 858-6020.
Kennedy-King College - Adult Education
City Colleges of Chicago adult education · 4.3 mi from Yado
747 W. 63rd Street, Room V-211, Chicago, IL 60621
Phone: (773) 602-5340
Free English classes and free GED for Illinois residents 18+. Mon and Thu 9am–7:30pm, Fri 9am–1pm. Call to confirm hours.
Chicago Public Library - Blackstone Branch (English conversation group)
Library English conversation group · 4.8 mi from Yado
4904 S. Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615
Phone: (312) 747-0511
English conversation practice with Literacy Chicago, Fridays 3–4:30pm. For people who already speak some English. Register first: (312) 858-6020.
Richard J. Daley College - Adult Education
City Colleges of Chicago adult education · 7.3 mi from Yado
7500 S. Pulaski Rd., Room 1403, Chicago, IL 60652
Phone: (773) 838-7800
Free English classes and free GED for Illinois residents 18+. Southwest Side.
Harry S Truman College - Adult Education
City Colleges of Chicago adult education · 16.3 mi from Yado
1145 W. Wilson Avenue, Room 2230, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 907-4350
Free English classes and free GED. Mon–Thu 8:30am–7:15pm, Fri 8:30am–4pm, Sat 9am–12:30pm. North Side (Uptown).
Good to know
- City Colleges English (ESL) classes are free for Illinois residents 18 and older. Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible.
- The same offices also offer free GED classes.
- Library conversation groups are for people who already speak some English. Register first with Literacy Chicago at (312) 858-6020.
- Call before you go: class start dates and hours change by term.
Questions people ask
Where can I take free English classes in Chicago?
At City Colleges of Chicago adult education sites: Olive-Harvey (South Chicago campus and main campus), Kennedy-King, Daley and Truman. The Chicago Public Library also hosts free English conversation groups.
Who can join City Colleges English classes?
Illinois residents 18 and older. Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible.
Are there free English classes on the South Side?
Yes. Olive-Harvey's South Chicago campus at 3055 E 92nd St (ZIP 60617), the Olive-Harvey main campus at 10001 S Woodlawn Ave (ZIP 60628) and Kennedy-King College at 747 W 63rd St.
Can I also get a GED or prepare for the citizenship test?
Yes. City Colleges adult education offers free GED classes, and the South Chicago campus also lists citizenship test prep.
En français. Des cours d'anglais gratuits (ESL) pour adultes sont offerts par les City Colleges of Chicago aux résidents de l'Illinois de 18 ans et plus. Les plus proches du South Side : Olive-Harvey, 10001 S Woodlawn Ave et 3055 E 92nd St. Les bibliothèques publiques proposent aussi des groupes de conversation gratuits.
More free help in Chicago
- Search all services by ZIP code
- Free Immigration Legal Help in Chicago
- Social Security Offices in Chicago
- Section 8 & Housing Authority Offices in Chicago
- Driver's License & State ID Offices in Chicago
- Free Food Pantries in Chicago (South Side)
This list is made by Yado African & Caribbean Market, an African and Caribbean grocery store at 1651 E 87th St on Chicago's South Side.
General information, not legal advice. Found a mistake? Tell us at the store.