English Language Classes (ESOL)

Fòm enfòmasyon Bristol Edikasyon granmoun ESOL.

Formulário de informações ESOL para educação de adultos em Bristol.

Formulario de información ESOL de educación para adultos de Bristol.

Information about Free ESOL Classes

Free ESOL Classes offered through Adult Education at Bristol Community College are funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 

Adult Education at Bristol Community College offers English language classes for beginner to advanced level students (ESOL Levels 1-4). These non-credit classes are for you if English is not your first language, and you need help to develop and expand your English language skills. These free classes will prepare you for the next level of study or for employment and careers.

Classes are held from September to June at Bristol Community College’s Fall River and Taunton Campuses. 

An English test is required prior to becoming eligible for a free class.

Please complete the Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form to be contacted for an English test.

Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form

How will I be chosen for Free ESOL Classes?

Beginning in July of 2024, placements in a free ESOL class are chosen through the Free ESOL Class Lottery, held two times each year (July and December). 

Interested students must complete the Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form AND complete the required English test by June 30, 2024 to be included in the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery in July. 

If chosen for a free ESOL class through the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery, classes and books are offered free of charge. All students are required to attend an in-person orientation session in the month of August. To remain eligible for free ESOL classes, students are required to meet minimum attendance requirements, complete weekly homework assignments (Independent Study), and complete periodic English tests.

Students who are not chosen through the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery will be added to the waitlist for the Fall 2024 semester. If an opening becomes available between August 1, 2024 and December 1, 2024, students on the waitlist will be contacted in the order their name was selected during the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery. The Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class waitlist will remain active until December 1, 2024. 

Day classes for ESOL Levels 1, 2, and 3 are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm at Bristol’s Taunton Campus. Evening classes for ESOL students are held at Bristol’s Fall River and Taunton Campuses from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Most evening classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  

Due to high demand for ESOL classes and the limited number of openings available in free ESOL classes, Adult Education at Bristol Community College will offer Fee-based ESOL classes beginning in June 2024. 

Information about Fee-based ESOL Classes

Adult Education Fee-based ESOL classes provide English Language learners with the ability to pay for the cost of instruction and materials with an opportunity to register for English classes.  

Fee-based ESOL classes will be offered two evenings per week during an 8-week session beginning in June 2024. Classes will be offered in person at Bristol’s Taunton or Fall River Campuses. The estimated cost of the beginner level Fee-based ESOL class is $225. All students who complete the required English test will be sent class schedules, registration forms, and fee information prior to the June Fee-Based ESOL Class summer class session. 

Please note: Fee-based ESOL classes are an option for students who do not wish to participate in the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery in July as well as for students who remain on the waitlist for a free ESOL class.  

An English test is required prior to registration for a Fee-Based ESOL class.

Please complete the Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form to be contacted for an English test.

Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form

What happens after I complete the Information Form?

Once we receive your Bristol Adult Education ESOL Information Form, you will be contacted by email to schedule a placement test. English tests are available by Zoom meeting link in April, May, and June by appointment only. 

Please note: completing an English test DOES NOT mean you have been selected for a free ESOL class. The English test is required to determine which Adult Education ESOL class level is most appropriate for you.

Students must take an English test by June 30, 2024 to be entered into the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class Lottery scheduled for July 2024.

The Fall 2024 Adult Education ESOL Free Class Lottery will be held the last week of July. Those who are selected will be contacted via text and email. If you are not chosen, you will be put on the Fall 2024 Free ESOL Class waiting list. If a seat becomes available prior to December 1, you will be contacted by text and email with an Offer of Enrollment and an orientation date. 

Students who are selected for a free ESOL class through the Fall 2024 Free Class Lottery in July 2024 must be in attendance for their assigned orientation session in August. Students who are selected for a free ESOL class and attend the required orientation session in August will begin their free ESOL classes the second week of September 2024. 

For more information, please contact the Bristol Adult Education ESOL Team at ESOL@BristolCC.edu.

Bristol also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for credit. These classes specifically prepare students for advanced academic study. Advanced ESL course credits may be applied to an associate degree or certificate program at Bristol.