Get referred through our Economic Development Department

Improved English skills are a gateway to higher paying jobs and educational opportunities. A 2020 report from The Boston Foundation confirmed that English classes offer powerful and almost immediate returns for immigrants seeking economic advancement, though the region has a significant shortfall of class seats available to interested students. English also empowers immigrants to participate in their communities as leaders and advocates, helping to overcome systems of oppression that harm immigrant families and their access to opportunities.

La Colaborativa offers free, in-person English (or ESOL) courses for our community members. Our classes are culturally relevant and focus on English language skills for the workplace and economic advancement. Each course has contextualized vocabulary for specific industries in order to prepare students for the current job market. We also offer one course for individuals who have newly arrived in our community.

La Colaborativa’s ESOL courses encourage students to make connections between their own culture, their everyday lives, and what they are learning in class. Students will finish the course with a basic understanding of English grammar and a widened English vocabulary.
Courses are eight weeks long, twice a week. Community members need a referral from the Economic Development Department to participate in the ESOL program.
For information about more advanced English classes, please contact the Academic Programs Coordinator.

Through a partnership with Harvard University’s Phillips Brooks House Association we can also refer students interested in virtual classes taught by Harvard students.

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