SUNY English Classes
English Language Study
Strong English Language skills are important for success on the job and in school. There are a number of opportunities available at CUNY to improve your English language skills.
There are two ways in which you can study English whether or not you plan to continue your education in a degree program at CUNY:
- The Adult and Continuing Education Divisions at thirteen CUNY colleges offers free English language classes, as well as basic literacy and GED High School Equivalency classes in Spanish and English to help students prepare for jobs and further education. Visit the Web site www.literacy.cuny.edu for more information.
- English Language Institutes, which can issue I-20 forms if you plan to apply for a student visa, offer intensive language training on a full or part time basis at five CUNY colleges: College of Staten Island, Hunter College, Kingsborough Community College, LaGuardia Community College, Queens College and Queensborough Community College. Cost varies by campus.
If you wish to enroll at a CUNY college either directly or upon completion of one of the above programs, you can apply to a degree program as described in the section on admission.
Once you have been admitted to CUNY you may feel that you still need to improve your English skills. There are two options:
The CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) offers academic English language preparation at nine CUNY campuses for those students who have been admitted to CUNY but need to improve their English skills before enrolling in a credit program. Students learn English through studying topics in American history, literature, environmental studies, and others. In this way, students build knowledge and academic skills as they develop their English language skills. CLIP students also learn the computer skills they need for college. CLIP is a low cost program (for most students it will cost $180 for 15 weeks.)
The colleges of CUNY offer reading and writing classes for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, for those who need additional English language preparation.
