Registration for Lee's free ESL classes for the Fall is now open.
Lee University’s Department of Language and Literature will offer free English as a Second Language classes to the community through its Center for English Language and Literacy (C.E.L.L). Registration is now open for the courses beginning Thursday, Sept. 10.
The C.E.L.L. will offer five levels of classes for all levels of learners, ranging from beginners who have little to no prior English instruction to speakers who are advanced in their knowledge of the English language. The class size is limited to 15 students this fall, which allows teachers to tailor lessons to each students’ learning styles and goals.
To protect students against COVID-19, temperature checks, social distancing, and masks will be required. Hand sanitizer and masks will be provided.
The program is led by Dr. Chris Blake, Lee associate professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and linguistics; Andrew Crouch, student director of the C.E.L.L.; and Lee alumna Veronica Hodge, director of the new Tuesday night Literacy Center. The English classes are taught by Lee student instructors who have been professionally trained in the TESOL program.
In addition to the classes for adults, English instruction will be available for high school, middle school, and elementary school students. High school students will receive instruction through the C.E.L.L. Youth Program, directed by Dr. Betsy Poole, assistant professor of Spanish and linguistics at Lee.
For children ages 6-10, childcare will be provided by TESOL-trained students who will lead English lessons and activities suited for the young age group.
“We are so excited that Lee’s community C.E.L.L. has been approved to host free ESL classes this fall with the continued support of the Athens Federal Foundation,” said Blake. “Due to the COVID-19 precautions, we will only be able to accept a limited number of students this semester, so it is important that students register early on our website.”
English literacy classes will be held on Tuesday evenings and conversation classes will be held on Thursday evenings. All classes will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Walker Memorial Building, with signs directing students to the building and room.
For more information about the classes, email
englishlanguagecenterlee@gmail.com or call (423) 614-8223.
For more information about the Center for English Language & Literacy, visit
leecell.org.