Program Details
Welcome to free English classes for immigrants and refugees
Welcome to ILI’s Free English Program!
We’re happy to help you learn more English. With our free English classes, you join a welcoming classroom environment where you can learn English, learn about US culture, and make new friends in Massachusetts. We want you to feel comfortable speaking, understanding, and using English from day one.
Our free English classes focus on practical skills to help you manage your daily life, connect with your local community, and succeed in your career. You will learn English using hands-on materials, videos, books, pictures, real-life situations, fun repetition, and natural conversation. Our free English classes include pair and group work, active participation, and lively activities.
Program Info
Online
Taking classes online means receiving live lessons with your ILI teacher via a video call at a pre-scheduled time.
In-person
In-person lessons take place at our campus in downtown Northampton, MA and require your physical attendance.
Group Size
Course Timings
Who can join the Free English Program?
Students must be living in the U.S. permanently (not on a temporary visa) and must be at least 17 years old.
Students enrolled in the Free English Program are eligible to apply for the Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Scholarship to join the Intensive English Program.
ILI also offers free English classes for people in the US temporarily. Free English Open to All classes are taught by teachers in training as part of our TESOL Certificate Course.
Schedule
Our group English classes run face-to-face in our friendly school in downtown Northampton or online. Either way, you join a helpful community that will support you.
Class times and days depend on your level of English which we will evaluate when you register for classes.
Good reasons to choose ILI
Here are just some of the benefits of taking English classes with us at ILI. We hope to see you soon!
- Highly interactive student-centered ESL classes
- Caring and highly qualified English instructors
- Free career and academic counseling
- Free extra speaking opportunities with our Volunteer tutor program.
- Scholarship opportunity for qualified students to enroll in ILI’s Intensive English program
Our teachers
Our free English program teachers are professionals with Master’s Degrees or TESOL certificates and a minimum of one year teaching experience in creative and student-centered teaching. ILI has been teaching languages and training teachers since 1984, bringing students the best learning experiences.
ILI instructors are skilled at collaborating with each other to create dynamic and engaging curriculum and materials based on student feedback and goals. Our teachers stay current with innovative teaching techniques and methodologies through professional development and conferences.
Feedback
“When I started the lesson, I didn’t believe in myself, and I was embarrassed when I was speaking. But the teacher showed us that he trusts us and now I speak better.”
Fatma Demirhan
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, and Baystate Health provide much of the funding for this program. We also thank the many generous local businesses and individual donors who make the classes possible.
Program Info
Online
Taking classes online means receiving live lessons with your ILI teacher via a video call at a pre-scheduled time.
In-person
In-person lessons take place at our campus in downtown Northampton, MA and require your physical attendance.
Group Size
Course Timings
Formats
In-person, or Online?
Our Free English lessons at ILI are available as:
- face-to-face group classes you attend at our school in Northampton, or
- live online group classes which take place on Zoom.
In-person, Face-to-Face Group English classes in Northampton, Massachusetts
Come into our school in downtown Northampton for your free English class, and you’ll soon be a part of our friendly community of language learners and teachers.
We’re just a few minutes’ walk from the Roundhouse parking lot and the Peter Pan Bus Terminal (Peter Pan line, R42, R44).
Online Free Group English classes with ILI for refugees and immigrants
Our online classes will also be with a real humans, in real time. The lessons will work in just the same way as with the in-person option, and we’ll make sure you progress just the same too.
One big benefit of online classes is that you can do it from home. This can help if you have transportation difficulties to get to our school. If you’re a very busy person, you also save time by just logging in and out for your lesson.
Northampton, Massachusetts is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and observes daylight saving time (DST).
Days and Times
Schedule for Free Evening Classes
Online
- Beginner to intermediateMonday & Wednesday, 6pm-8pm
- AdvancedMonday & Wednesday 7pm-9pm
- High intermediate to advancedTuesday & Thursday 6pm-8pm
In-person
- Beginner to advanced
In-personMonday & Wednesday 6:30pm-9pm
Schedule for Free Daytime Classes
In-person only
- High intermediate to advanced
In-personMonday – Friday (5 days a week), 9am-12pm
All Classes will begin on September 9, 2024
Drop-in classes
Are you on the wait list or don’t qualify for the Free English Program?
Try our drop-in free classes! These free classes are taught by our teachers-in-training, and they are open to anyone wishing to improve their English language skills (students must have at least a high-beginner level of English to participate).
Come to one class or all the classes – it’s up to you. No registration is necessary!
Online Drop-in Classes:
1pm-3pm (ET)
Thursday, August 8th (only one class this week)
August 12th – 30th: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (no Wednesday class)
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8042299880
Questions
Got a question?
We’re here to help make it as easy as possible for you to get from where you are now, to studying English in Massachusetts with ILI.
Here are some questions other students have asked us:
Selected FAQs
The Free English Program is for immigrant and refugee adults who live in western Massachusetts. Students ages 17 and up are eligible for the program. The program is for people living permanently in the US.
Classes begin in September and end in June. We have ongoing enrollment throughout the year, which means you can sign up anytime.
Evening classes meet two nights a week. Our online classes meet on Zoom from 6-8pm on Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday. Our in-person classes meet on Monday & Wednesday from 6:30 – 9 pm at ILI in Northampton. We also offer a 12-week upper intermediate-advanced level intensive class that meets 5 days a week: Monday-Friday from 9am-12pm for 12 weeks. In addition to class time, students in all classes are assigned weekly independent work.
Yes! Students in the Free English Program meet with ILI’s College and Career Advisor at least once per year to map out a plan for achieving your goals. Some students are interested in going to college, others are looking to find a better job. The College and Career Advisor can help with these decisions.
In addition to class time and independent work each week, enrolled students can participate in online or in-person conversation groups, and writing classes. Students can also request the support of a free tutor for extra practice outside of class time.
Fill out the online Free English Program inquiry form and someone will contact you by email, text or phone call.
View all our Frequently Asked Questions >
Ask Laura a question about our Free English Program
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch with us.
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Ready to get started with our Free English Program?
Simply follow the steps below to get started:
- Complete the inquiry form.
- We will contact you during the summer of 2025 to schedule a placement test. Classes will start in September.
- If classes are full, you will be placed on a waiting list.
Still not sure?
Not a problem! If you are searching for more information you can:
- View our frequently asked questions and ask us a question
- Contact Laura Eveleigh, Assistant Director, Free English Program
- Call/Text: 413-239-7626 or Email: laura@ili.edu
The ILI Promise
At ILI, we believe that all our actions should stem from grace and loving kindness.
- We operate as an equal opportunity organization.
- We nurture relationships beyond the classroom.
- We are committed to providing the highest quality language instruction and teacher training.
- We promote intercultural understanding and celebrate the diversity in our local communities.
- We work collaboratively to build and sustain the communities we serve.
- We believe in life-changing teaching and learning.
Other ways to learn
Private English Lessons
Choose Private English Classes for exclusive one-on-one time with your teacher, or add them to your Intensive English Program for an extra boost.
English for the Workplace
Workplace English boosts English language communication skills in your place of work. Individual or group, online or face-to-face, it’s all possible.
The Intensive English Program
Our intensive English program delivers 21 hours of class time per week with intakes every four weeks. It’s friendly and fun and you’re welcome.
English Summer Courses
Make this summer unforgettable with our English Summer Classes! Improve communication, prep for exams, and immerse yourself in fun, interactive lessons!