English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes
Would you like to improve your English?
This year we are offering regular ESL (English as a second language) classes and READING GROUPS for English Language Learners. This new program is meant for students who would like to improve their reading comprehension through guided reading in English. Please see information about all our programs below. Please note that our programs are offered to adults who live in the Chatham area or elsewhere in New Jersey. We regret that we are unable to accept students who live outside New Jersey. These 8-week programs are free and taught by experienced volunteer teachers in person at the library and online on Zoom.
To be notified about future ESL sessions, please click here:
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REGISTER:
Please read the “self assessment” below for all our classes and Reading Groups below before you register. It’s important that you register for a program that matches your skills. if you choose a program that does not match your skill level, we may not be able to accommodate you.
REGULAR ESL + READING GROUP LEVELS:
Advanced Beginners
- I can follow a simple conversation in English
- I can read simple texts in English
- I can introduce myself and others
- I can interact with others in English in short sentences
- I would like to learn to speak in longer sentences
Low Intermediate
- I can understand the main points of everyday conversations
- I can write simply about familiar subjects
- I can describe and talk about experiences and events
- I can explain everyday tasks
- I would like to become more comfortable when speaking and reading
Intermediate Conversation
- I understand the main idea of written and spoken English on most topics
- I can interact in English on many topics
- I can make myself understood in writing on general topics
- I would like to become a more confident and fluent speaker of English
- I would like to make new friends in the community
Intermediate+
- I understand a wide range of longer texts
- I can express an opinion or explain an event clearly in many settings
- I can write clearly if not perfectly about many subjects
- I would like to practice conversation on a higher level
- I would like to improve my reading and listening comprehension skills
WELCOME EVERYONE! REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL SESSION IS CLOSED FOR ALL BUT THE FOLLOWING CLASSES:
- Advanced Beginners Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025, 10-11 am. Teacher: Payal S. - Intermediate Conversation Group 3 In Person: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025 6:30-7:30 pm. Teacher: Frank V.
Meeting space: Quiet Study Room, Main floor of the library
When you have determined your skill level, please click the link below to register for that class. YOU MAY REGISTER FOR ONE ESL PROGRAM AND ONE READING GROUP. Registrations are accepted based on the order in which they are received:
Schedule of Fall 2025 Session
REGULAR CLASSES:
Advanced Beginners Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025, 10-11 am. Teacher: Payal S.
Low Intermediate ESL Class Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Mondays, September 15 – November 3, 2025, 10-11 am. Teacher: Amy G.
Intermediate Conversation Group 1 In Person: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Mondays, September 15 – November 3, 2025, 10-11 am. Teacher: Various
Meeting space: Quiet Study Room, Main floor of the library
Intermediate Conversation Group 2 In Person: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025, 10-11 am. Teacher: Karen C.
Meeting space: Quiet Study Room, Main floor of the library
Intermediate Conversation Group 3 In Person: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025 6:30-7:30 pm. Teacher: Frank V.
Meeting space: Quiet Study Room, Main floor of the library
Intermediate+ Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Tuesdays, September 16 – November 4, 2025 9:45-10:45 am. Teacher: Lynn P.
NEW! READING GROUPS:
The books used in the reading groups will be available for borrowing at The Library of the Chathams and/or at your local library. For more information about how to borrow the books, please contact The Library of the Chathams, or your local library.
Low Intermediate Reading Group Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Mondays, September 15 – November 3, 2025, 11:15 am-12:15 pm. Teacher: Amy G.
Book: Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
Seedfolks is the story of how one small action – planting a seed – can create big changes in a neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Each chapter is about a different person living near the same vacant city lot, describing his or her problems and dreams. The neighbors are of different ethnicities and ages, but as they work together to build a community garden, they find hope, friendship, and strength. Reading group participants are expected to read up to 8-10 pages per week.
Intermediate Reading Group In Person: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 5, 2025, 11:15 am-12:15 pm. Teacher: Karen C.
Meeting space: Quiet Study Room, Main floor of the library
Book: An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff & Alex Tresniowski, 1st Edition
An Invisible Thread is a New York Times bestselling novel. It’s a true account of how an unlikely meeting between a successful executive and an 11-year-old panhandler became a lifelong friendship. This amazing story demonstrates the power of destiny and human connectedness in changing one’s life course, and explores the roles of honesty, compassion, and kindness along the way. It is a superb “pay it forward” book! Reading group participants are expected read up to 30-35 pages per week.
Intermediate+ Reading Group Online: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Tuesdays, September 16 – November 4, 2025, 11 am-12 pm. Teacher: Lynn P.
Book: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is a novel in 13 stories that revolves around the
complicated, funny, sometimes difficult character of Olive, a middle-aged wife, mother,
and middle school math teacher. Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the book
captures the dynamics of the people in a small, coastal Maine town and explores family
relationships, loneliness, infidelity, and grief. Reading group participants are expected to read up to 30-45 pages per week.
Volunteering for ESL
If you would like to volunteer as a teacher, please send an email to learn@learnassociates.com (ESL program coordinator: Rita McMaster).
Additional Resources for ESL Learners
Click the icon to access
Mango Languages Library Edition (website and mobile app)
English Courses
English learners can develop their speaking skills through English courses created to accommodate over 20 source languages.
To access this database for free, you must have a valid Chatham library card. New: as of October 2022, Mango is also available to members of all libraries-members of the Main Library Alliance (MAIN).
