PGCC is proud to offer free ESOL classes, computer classes, and one-on-one tutoring to eligible refugees and asylees living in Maryland through the English for Refugees and Asylees Program.
This Program is for you if
- You would like to develop your speaking and understanding of English for work and for your life.
- You want to develop your foundational English skills for communication.
- You want to develop your English for life skills and future employment.
- You want to learn more about U.S. culture.
We offer
- Literacy, beginning, and intermediate-level English classes.
- Instruction in English speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Instruction and practice for life-skills and workplace English.
- Community building and an increased familiarity with American culture.
To register for this program, participants must
- Have been granted refugee, asylee, parolee or SIV status within the last five years.
- Be a Maryland resident.
- Have access to the internet and a device (for online classes). (In-person classes are held at University Town Center in Hyattsville.)
- Have proof of residency (We accept alternatives such as a lease or utility bill that has the client's name or their family member's name on it).
- Have proof of immigration status (We accept alternatives such as I-94, Employment Authorization Card, and Special Immigration Visa).
To prepare for registration
Provide documents — proof of residency and proof of immigration status — to the program via Resettlement Agencies or via email to Lailuma Social.
*When emailing please include your updated phone number so we can reach out to you on the registration day and for further communication or for registration.
Registration dates
Twice a month on Thursdays and Fridays.
On registration dates, we will call you to check your information in your native language, and test your level through a few questions in English.
Class Days and Times
ESOL classes meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from the following times:
- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (In-person classes and online classes)
- 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Online classes)
- 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (Online classes)
We try our best to accommodate students' preferred class time when space is available.
ERA’s basic computer classes meet on Fridays at:
- 9:00 - 10:30am (In-person class)
- 11:00 - 1:00pm (In-person class)
Class Levels
Level 1A | Level 1B | Level 2 | Level 3
Classes are free and textbooks are provided. Almost all classes are currently online. Please reach out to us to find out which in-person classes are available now.
Current Session Dates
- August 15, 2023 - September 20, 2023
- October 10, 2023 - November 15, 2023
- November 27, 2023 - January 17, 2024
- January 30, 2024 - March 6, 2024
- March 25, 2024 - April 30, 2024
- May 13, 2024 - June 24, 2024
- July 2, 2024 - August 6, 2024
- August 20, 2024 - September 25, 2024
Flyers
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Arabic
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Burmese
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Dari
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in French
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Pashto
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Spanish
- ESL for Refugees and Asylees (ERA) Class and Registration Information in Ukraine