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English Language Learning

Local Resources

 
English at Large offers beginner classes, conversation groups for intermediate and advanced levels, as well as 1-on-1 tutoring.
Contact: 781-395-2374 or learn@englishatlarge.org
 
 
Classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Conversation groups are also available.
Contact: Brian Logue at 781-891-6689 x 202 or brian@watchcdc.org
Address: 24 Crescent Street, Suite 201, Waltham MA 02453
 
 
This program is for low income, minority and immigrant families with preschool aged children. The WFS program provides a preschool setting for children and helps families learn literacy skills.
Contact: 781-314-5696 or friendsofthewfs@gmail.com
Address: 510 Moody Street, Door #8, Waltham, MA 02453
 
 
Organized by Waltham Public Schools, this program offers ESL classes, as well as a Spanish Literacy Program and HiSet Preparation. Must have proof of Waltham residency.
Contact: Marianne Duffy, marianneduffy@walthampublicschools.org
Address: McDevitt Middle School; 75 Church Street, Waltham, MA 02452
 
 
Classes taught by ESOL teachers and one-on-one or small group tutoring by volunteers. Also hosts weekly conversation group, “Let’s Talk.”
Contact: 617-924-8797 or alambert@watertown-ma.gov
Address: Watertown Free Library; 123 Main St.; Watertown, MA 02472 (office)
 
 

The Adult Learning Center offers a FREE program for adult learners interested in improving their basic academic skills and/or in preparing for HiSET or GED testing, attending college, job training or employment. While not an ELL program, ALC classes can be a next step for high intermediate to advanced English language learners.
Contact: 781-280-3665 or 781-280-3662; nortona@middlesex.mass.edu

 
 
Referral service for English language, literacy, and HiSet services.
Contact: 1-800-447-8844
 
TOEFL Testing Program

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is used in college and university settings. Scores on the test are required by more than 4,300 two- and four-year colleges and universities, professional schools, and sponsoring institutions.

Information bulletins are free publications that contain all the information you will need to register to take a TOEFL or TSE test. If you order a bulletin, it will be shipped from Ewing, New Jersey, USA. Allow up to eight weeks for delivery outside the United States. Bulletins can also be obtained by visiting the Guidance Department at Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham.

  • Bulletins may be ordered online.
  • TOEFL Practice Tests, Sample Questions and Writing topics & tutorials are available here.
  • Here is a nearby testing center:
  • Prometric Testing Center
  • 6 New England Executive Park, Suite 120
  • Burlington, MA 01803
  • 781-221-7860

Online Resources

Waltham Library ELL YouTube Channel

Videos to support English language learners prepared by our Literacy Coordinator in English and Spanish.  

Listening Stations

Our Literacy Classroom will soon be offering two Listening Stations to practice listening skills in English. In the meantime, use this website to find exercises and practice in the classroom or at home.

Nuestro aula Literacy Classroom pronto ofrecerá dos estaciones de comprensión auditiva para practicar las habilidades auditivas en inglés. Mientras tanto, utilice este sitio web para encontrar ejercicios y practicar en el aula o en su casa.

Basic Vocabulary for Beginners

Mango Languages

Use free with your Waltham Library card (Need one? Start with an ecard today). This app offers English language instruction in your first language with notes about grammar and culture as you learn.

LanguageGuide.org

Click on pictures and listen to learn the ABCs, as well as words for food, clothing, the body, nature, places, and more.

Games to Learn English

Games to practice vocabulary, spelling, phrases, and description.

Pronunciation and Listening

Pronuncian.com from Seattle Learning Academy

This website lists every sound in American English with pronunciation guides and examples.

Sounds of Speech from the University of Iowa

This website has pronunciation guides (step-by-step) and animation to show how each sound is formed in the mouth. 

Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Cafe

Listen to short dialogues with comprehension questions. Choose from easy, intermediate, and difficult.

Structure (Grammar and Writing)

Dave’s ESL Cafe

This website offers grammar lessons and quizzes organized by topic.

AzarGrammar.com

From grammar-maven Betty Azar’s website: free worksheets and activities created by teachers. Also, Suzanne Woodward’s Fun with Grammar in PDF.

Reading and Listening Comprehension

Learning English from Voice of America

Listen and read current events articles. Review vocabulary and comprehension questions at the end.

TED Talks

Learn about a variety of topics from experts. Use the subtitles, transcripts, and translations to build your language skills.

Songs, Stories, and Fun with English

Lyrics Training (Music)

Music is joyful and linked to memory. On this website, you can enjoy popular music and listen for missing words in the lyrics. Try the easier choice mode first and then try write mode (which involves spelling) for a harder challenge.

Story Corps (Animations)

This website (and phone app) helps real people record interviews and stories about their lives. Some are animated so that you can listen and follow the images to build understanding. Add closed captions (cc) to read the text, too. If you enjoy this site, consider recording your own interview with a family member, neighbor, or friend. StoryCorps has lists of questions ready for you.

Learner’s Dictionary from Merriam-Webster

Ok, ok, dictionaries are not usually fun. However, the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary contains a picture quiz called “Name that Thing,” a word-of-the-day email, and Ask the Editor with questions and answers about the English language.

  • TED Talks: video presentations by experts on a variety of topics with subtitles and transcripts in many languages
  • Newsy: brief stories about today’s news with transcripts you can read
  • ESL Fast: simple audio and text for basic dialogues and stories
  • Mango Languages: practice vocabulary and phrases in simple lessons online
  • Lyrics Training: learn English listening to the words in music
  • Short Stories: an online collection of short stories with speaking and text
 
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