English Resources & Adult Education

'Never Stop Learning' on books

English Language Resources

Practice speaking English with other learners, and at your own pace.

English Conversation Groups at OISS

The Office of International Students & Scholars offers daily, informal English Conversation Groups for international students, scholars and their spouses and partners who wish to gain further experience speaking English as a foreign language. Open to all!

The New Haven Public Library

Besides a multitude of books and other media, the New Haven Public Library also offers some literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) resources.

Gateway Community College

Gateway Community College offers a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to meet students’ academic, professional, and personal goals. Classes are scheduled mornings, afternoons, and evenings to meet students’ diverse needs. 

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven

Literacy Volunteers offers free small group classes at their offices, libraries and community organizations around New Haven, Meriden/Wallingford, and The Valley. Classes are held mornings, afternoons, and evenings to fit into your busy schedule. Email info@lvagnh.org or call (203) 776-5899 for more info.

Bridges English as Second Language

Bridges English as Second Language is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides free small-group English tutoring to immigrants and visiting internationals in the Yale and New Haven community. The program offers several levels of instruction depending on each student’s needs. The levels are Survival, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Classes are held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Asian American Cultural Center (295 Crown Street, New Haven, CT) and La Casa (301 Crown St, New Haven, CT). Student registration for Bridges classes is at the beginning of each school semester. Email bridgesesl@gmail.com for more info.

New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center

The New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center offers a free English as a Second Language Program for New Haven residents (non-residents must pay a fee). They offer 7 different levels of classes from Literacy to Advanced. All classes include instruction in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Call (203) 492-0213 or email erica.walden@nhboe.net for more info.

ERACE (East Shore Region Adult & Continuing Education)

ERACE offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of instruction at multiple locations. They have a great, friendly, certified staff to assist you with your language and culture development here in the United States. Classes are free to residents of Branford, Clinton, Guilford and North Branford; non-residents are welcome to attend for a nominal fee. Call (203) 488-5693 or email shorelineadulted@branfordschools.org for more info.

General Resources

Auditing Classes

Spouses and partners who are interested in attending a course in Yale College or the Graduate School without receiving academic credit may do so for free by auditing a course.

  1. Begin by choosing a Yale College (undergraduate) course (i.e., courses numbered between 100-499 only) you are interested in from the Yale course listings online. It is sometimes possible to audit courses at Yale Professional Schools, but please note that these courses may incur registration and/or equipment fees.
  2. Once you find a class you are interested in, contact the professor/instructor ahead of time via email. Introduce yourself and ask if you may audit the class. Remember, it is okay for you to ask! If the professor/instructor says “no” to auditing the class, don’t take it personally. There may be limited course materials or restrictions according to the department or program.
  3. Once the professor approves, you must submit the Yale College Auditing Registration Form. See this page for more details on who to send the completed form to. The deadline for submitting Yale College Auditing Registration forms coincides with the last day that undergraduate course schedules are due each term. Such dates are listed on the Yale College academic calendar.
  4. Your participation level in the class is determined by the professor/instructor. Some would like you to fully participate in the discussion and assignments while others expect you to observe only. If the instructor does not clarify your role in the class, simply ask!
  5. Go to class, do the readings, and have fun!

Open Yale Courses

A number of Yale University courses are available online through Open Yale. Choose a course you are interested in from the selected list and stream the recorded class lectures from the Open Yale website. Course materials can be downloaded in PDF form. These courses are free and registration is not required. No course credit is given.