Benefits of English Conversation Classes
- Increase your confidence in conversational English.
- 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. There are no special visa requirements to attend, and no 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.
*Email Linda (lindalefevre83@gmail.com) to receive weekly updates on class schedules/topics/events.
IN-PERSON
Better English @ The Station
(Mondays, 9:45am-noon)
Sept 11, 2023- May 20, 2024
Join our 2-hour class to improve your conversational English. Our theme for this year is Virtues. In addition to talking about virtues from a variety of cultural backgrounds, we will share practical life skills for living in American culture and will meet a variety of guest speakers from the community.
Sunset Bible Church, 7909 40th St W, University Place, WA
Contact: Karen (karen@sunsetbible.com)
Basic English @ The Station
(Mondays, 9:45am-noon)
Sept 11, 2023- May 20, 2024
This class is for beginning students who are not yet conversational but want to learn the pronunciation of the ABCs and simple vocabulary and sentences to build skills for conversational English.
Sunset Bible Church, 7909 40th St W, University Place, WA
Contact: Karen (karen@sunsetbible.com)
English with Friends @ LC3
(Mondays, 6:30pm-8:00pm)
Sept 18, 2023 – May 2024
Guided discussion with a new topic each week. Families are welcome!
Lake City Community Church, 8810 Lawndale Ave SW, Lakewood, WA
Contact: Allison (englishwithfriendsLC3@gmail.com)
Better English on S 84th
(Thursdays, 10:00am-11:00am)
WILL RESUME OCTOBER 5, 2023.
Guided discussion with a new topic each week.
South Lakeshore Christian Church, 1740 South 84th Street, Tacoma, WA
Contact: Jim (BEonS84th@gmail.com)
Talk Time @ First Baptist UP
(Saturdays, 10:00am-11:00am)
Sept 16, 2023 – May 2024
English conversation in small groups with native English speakers. New discussion topic each week.
First Baptist Church, 2844 Mountain View Ave W, University Place, WA
Contact: Pastor Stacey (satmcclain@hotmail.com)
ONLINE
Virtual Talk Time on ZOOM
(Tuesdays, 10:00am-11:00am)
New topic weekly.
Contact: Maureen (MRicksWildish@piercecountylibrary.org) for the Zoom link.
Virtual Friendship ESL Class on ZOOM
(Wednesdays, 9:00am-10:15am)
Sept 13, 2023 – May 2024
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.
Discovery Bible Study on ZOOM
(Wednesdays, 10:15am-11:30am)
Read through the Gospel of Luke in English to improve vocabulary and reading comprehension, and to learn more about God’s revelation to us. Each week, we read a story/text, retell the story/text, and answer 4 questions: What does this story/text say about God? What does this story/text say about people? If we believe this story/text is from God, how must we change? Who else needs to hear this story/text?
Contact: Karen (karen@sunsetbible.com) for the Zoom link.
Virtual Talk Time on ZOOM
(Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm)
New topic weekly.
Contact: Maureen (MRicksWildish@piercecountylibrary.org) for the Zoom link.
Talk Time on ZOOM
(Saturdays, 10:00am-11:00am)
WILL RESUME OCTOBER 21, 2023.
Guided discussion with a new topic each week.
Contact: Karen (karen@sunsetbible.com) for info.
OTHER FREE ENGLISH OPPORTUNITIES
Conversation Partners (1 hour/once a week) – Newer students in our Better English @ The Station class have the opportunity to meet with a tutor once a week (in person or online) for English conversation. Contact: Susan susanslife@msn.com to register.
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: Linda lindalefevre83@gmail.com to register.
YouTube Channel (Better English in Tacoma) – Our Better English teachers have made some videos to help our 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 (usually $25).
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@