News

Lee University’s Department of Language and Literature will offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the community through its Center for English Language and Literacy (CELL). Literacy classes will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and conversation classes will begin on Thursday, Feb. 8.

CELL will offer five levels of conversation 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.

CELL is led by Dr. Chris Blake, professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) and linguistics and TESOL program coordinator, and Dr. Betsy Poole, assistant professor of Spanish and linguistics. The English classes are taught by Lee student instructors who have been professionally trained in the TESOL program.

“CELL is grateful for the opportunity to serve Cleveland and the surrounding area for over 13 years,” said Blake. “Learning another language is not easy, but the community and friendship among the students and teachers make CELL a wonderful environment for English learning to take place.”

Childcare (ages 1-6) and English language instruction (ages 7-12) will be offered by trained students who will lead English lessons and activities suited for these age groups.

English literacy classes, including reading and writing, 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, or to register for classes, visit leecell.org, contact Blake at [email protected], or call (423) 614-8223.