Benefits of English Conversation Classes
- Increase your confidence in conversational English in a safe, friendly environment.
- Develop a greater understanding of cultures/worldviews.
- Build friendships by interacting with teachers, tutors & other English learners.
- Have small group opportunities to speak English with native speakers.
Questions about Better English? Contact Karen karen@sunsetbible.com
FREE WEEKLY CLASSES*
Each of the classes below is a free opportunity for you to practice real-life, conversational English. Anyone is welcome, regardless of visa status. No pre-registration is required. You may attend as many different classes as you wish and as often as you are able to. Each class is run by a different coordinator and has different native English-speaking volunteers to assist you in small groups. For more information, please contact the Coordinator for the class(es) you are interested in attending.
*Email Linda (lindalefevre83@gmail.com) to receive weekly updates on class schedules/topics/events for all classes listed below.
IN-PERSON CLASSES
Better English @ The Station – 2 different classes
(MONDAY, 9:45am-noon) – Open enrollment; come any Monday.
Conversation Class – Practice conversational English in small groups with native English speakers. This year’s curriculum is based on regions of the USA. We will talk about culture as well as improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
Basic Class – This class is for beginning students who are not yet conversational but want to learn the pronunciation of the ABCs and simple vocabulary/sentences for conversational English. Students sit in table groups with native English-speaking tutors who help them with the exercises.
Sunset Bible Church, 7909 40th St W, University Place, WA
Contact: Karen (karen@sunsetbible.com)
Better English on 6th – 4 different classes
(MONDAY, 6:50pm-8:30pm) – Open enrollment come any Monday.
Multiple English levels welcome! Build skills for conversational English with native English speakers.
Faith Presbyterian Church, 620 South Shirley Street, Tacoma, WA
Contact: Jonathan (jonathan@betterenglishonsixth.org)
Talk Time @ Chambers Bay Bible Church
(SATURDAY, 10:00am-11:00am)
English conversation in small groups with native English speakers. New discussion topic each week.
Chambers Bay Bible Church, 2844 Mountain View Ave W, University Place, WA
Contact: Jon (jde714red@gmail.com)
Conversation Sunday School Class
(SUNDAY, 9:45am-10:45am)
Have conversation with individual partners during Sunday School in Room 301.
Faith Presbyterian Church, 620 South Shirley Street, Tacoma, WA
Contact: Kathy (kathy@kathyscurtains.com)
ONLINE
Virtual Talk Time on ZOOM
(TUESDAY, 10:00am-11:00am)
New topic weekly.
Contact: Maureen (MRicksWildish@piercecountylibrary.org) for the Zoom link.
Virtual Friendship ESL Class on ZOOM
(WEDNESDAY, 9:00am-10:15am)
This class is for students who already speak basic English but want to improve their conversational English skills, build their English vocabulary, and learn more about American culture.
Contact: Marion at UPPC.org (davemannie@comcast.net) for the Zoom link.
Virtual Talk Time on ZOOM
(THURSDAY, 6:00pm-7:00pm)
New topic weekly.
Contact: Maureen (MRicksWildish@piercecountylibrary.org) for the Zoom link.
Talk Time on ZOOM
(SATURDAY, 10:00am-11:00am)
Guided discussion with a new topic each week.
Contact: Barris (barrisharms@gmail.com) for info.
OTHER FREE ENGLISH OPPORTUNITIES
Discovery Bible Studies (1 hour/once a week) – Meet with a tutor once a week (in person or online) to read the Bible in English. No Bible experience necessary! This is a great way to improve pronunciation, vocabulary, and reading comprehension while you discuss what the Bible says about God and people, and then apply what you’re learning. Contact: Karen karen@sunsetbible.com to register.
YouTube Channel (Better English in Tacoma) – Our Better English teachers made some videos to help students improve/practice pronunciation, listening skills, reading skills, reading comprehension, and American idioms. Visit our “Resource” page to see more, or click on our YouTube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtx7EPpnCkJ3ELIVRuWcdg
FORMAL/FULL-TIME ENGLISH CLASSES FOR A SMALL COST
In addition to the FREE opportunities above, the following schools offer full-time ESL classes for a very small fee each term. Note: some of them have waitlists.
Pierce College: www.pierce.ctc.edu/esl
For more information on ESL classes or jobs with Pierce College, contact Ann (AHayes-garcia@pierce.ctc.edu).
Tacoma Community College: www.tacomacc.edu/academics-programs/basic-education/esl
For more information on ESL classes at TCC, contact TCC by phone (253-566-5144) or email: basicskills@tacomacc.edu
Tacoma Community House: https://www.tacomacommunityhouse.org/english-classes
For more information on ESL classes at TCH, contact Charlene by phone (253-383-3951 Ext 122) or email: cmckenzie@