ELL classes are available at several sites in St. Paul for adults who want to learn English.  The entry level classes focus on functional English related to employment, health, housing, family needs, and other topics of primary concern to new immigrants and refugees.

Main ELL Courses

ELL 0 Introduction to English

ELL 1 Beginning English

ELL 2 High-Beginning English

ELL 3 Low Intermediate English

ELL 4 High Intermediate English

Additional Courses

Conversation & Writing for ELL 2/3

Conversation & Writing for ELL 3/4

ELL Reading 3

ELL Reading 4

Writing for ELL 3/4

ELL 0

Prerequisite: CASAS Reading: 0 – 181 (Form 27/28)

ELL 0 is an introduction to the English language. In this class, learners will:

• practice basic English speaking and listening to help them communicate in everyday life and work
• learn the basic sounds of the alphabet (phonics)
• learn to read and write important English words
• learn how to use basic math for everyday life and work and basic computer skills

Learners will practice English for the following topics: Personal Information, Classroom, Family, Housing, Food, Shopping (clothing), Health & Safety, Community, and Transportation.

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ELL 1

Prerequisite: CASAS Reading: 181 – 190 (Form 27/28, 81/82), completed ELL 0 Benchmarks (if in ELL 0 now)

ELL 1 is a beginning English course.  In this class, learners will

• practice basic English speaking and listening to help them communicate in everyday life and work
• practice the basic sounds of the alphabet (phonics)
• begin to read and write simple sentences in English
• learn how to use basic math for everyday life and work and basic computer skills

Learners will practice English for the following topics: Personal Information, Classroom, Family, Housing, Food, Shopping (clothing), Health & Safety, Community, and Transportation.

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ELL 2

Prerequisite: CASAS Reading: 191 – 200 (Form 81/82, 81X/82X), completed ELL 1 Benchmarks (if in ELL 1 now)

ELL 2 is a high-beginning English course.  In this class, learners will

• practice English speaking and listening to help them communicate in everyday life and work. 
• continue to practice phonics focusing on vowel sounds and word endings
• learn reading strategies to help them read longer texts 
• learn to write sentences in English using simple English grammar
• continue to learn some basic math for everyday life and work and basic computer skills

Learners will practice English within the following topics: Personal Information, Goals: School & Work, Family, Community, Transportation & Map Reading, Banking, Shopping (Clothing), Food, Work, Home & Safety, and Health

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ELL 3

Prerequisite: CASAS Reading: 201 – 210 (Form 81X/82X, 83/84), completed ELL 2 Benchmarks (if in ELL 2 now)

ELL 3 is a low-intermediate English course.  In this class, learners will:

• practice English speaking and listening to help them communicate more fluently in everyday life and work
• practice reading and learning strategies to help them read longer texts and prepare for future education
• continue to practice phonics focusing on vowel sounds and word endings and use this practice to improve pronunciation as well
• practice sentence writing that follows core grammar rules. Learners will study grammar as they see it in their reading, writing, and life skills practice.
• continue to improve their computer skills as they use computers for their class work

Learners will practice English within the following topics: Personal Information, Goals: School & Work, Family, Community, Transportation & Map Reading, Banking, Shopping (Consumerism), Food & Nutrition, Work, Home & Safety, and Health

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ELL 4

Prerequisite: CASAS Reading: 211 – *220 (Form 83/84) (OR *211 – 218 on form 185/186), completed ELL 2 Benchmarks (if in ELL 3 now)

ELL 4 is a high-intermediate English language learning course.  In this class, learners will:

• practice English speaking and listening to develop fluent communication, including pronunciation, in everyday life and work
• practice reading and learning strategies to help them read longer texts and prepare for future education 
• write sentences that follow core grammar rules and begin to form paragraphs
• Learners will study grammar as they see it in their reading, writing, and life skills practice
• continue to improve their computer skills as they use computers

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Additional Courses

Conversation & Writing for ELL 2/3

Prerequisites: CASAS Reading: 191 – 210 (Forms 81/82, 81X/82X, 83/84), Completed ELL 1 Benchmarks (if in ELL 1 now)

This class is for ELL 2 and ELL 3 learners who need more practice in conversation and writing.  Learners will build vocabulary and use that vocabulary in conversation and writing for everyday life and work.

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Conversation & Writing for ELL 3/4

Prerequisites: CASAS Reading: 201 – 219 (Forms 81X/82X, 83/84), Completed ELL 2 Benchmarks (if in ELL 2 now)

This class is for ELL 3 and ELL 4 learners who want more practice in conversation and writing.  The goal of this class is to gain fluency and confidence in speaking and writing.

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ELL Reading 3

Prerequisites: CASAS Reading: 191 – 205, Completed ELL 1 Benchmarks (if in ELL 1 now)

This class is for ELL 2 and 3 learners who need more practice with beginning reading.  Learners will practice letter sounds (phonics), sight words, and reading skills that help with understanding (comprehension) and test-taking.

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ELL Reading 4

Prerequisites: CASAS Reading: 205 – 215, Completed ELL 2 Benchmarks (if in ELL 2 now)

This class is for ELL 3 and ELL 4 learners who need more practice with intermediate reading. Learners practice reading and test-taking strategies that help them understand more difficult texts as well as improve their CASAS Reading score.

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Writing for ELL 3/4

Prerequisites: CASAS Reading: 201 – 219 (Forms 81X/82X, 83/84), Completed ELL 2 Benchmarks (if in ELL 2 now)

This class is for ELL 3 and ELL 4 learners who need practice in writing, including spelling.  Learners will write about many different topics and practice writing correct sentences that use core grammar rules.  They will also practice correcting their own writing (self-editing) to help them improve as writers.

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