Learning English Opens Doors! Volunteers staff a twice-weekly English instruction program for adult students. Our program serves the Vienna, Fairfax and surrounding areas with low-cost English classes given in the evenings. There are different proficiency levels, and students range from young adults to senior citizens and come from about 30 different countries and 5 continents. The students represent many different religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
• All classes limited to 12 students.
• Beginner classes limited to 4 students – some knowledge of English required.
• The cost is $10/class for each term. Credit/Debit Cards accepted – initial payment will be made online.
• Optional citizenship tutoring, conversation class, and writing class are available for eligible students.
• Placement test is administered online – test link will be sent by e-mail within 3 days of registration.
• New students must purchase books. Book pickup will be arranged at St. Mark

St. Mark’s Citizenship Preparation program prepares eligible students for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) civics knowledge and English proficiency exams.

• • ESL students with intermediate or advanced proficiency (based on the St. Mark ESL placement exam) may participate in the Citizenship Preparation program.
  • Students may also be enrolled in a St. Mark intermediate or advanced class.
  • The cost of registration is $10 (cash).
  • Students must also purchase the textbook ($35).
  • Citizenship class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM.
  • Initially, all students will participate in a group class. Once students have filed their N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and received an acknowledgment from USCIS, they will also receive individualized tutoring and interview practice.
  • Spaces are limited.
  • Note: students should contact a lawyer for legal issues; St. Mark teachers will not provide legal advice.

Links to Helpful Resources

USCIS “Learner” Section

Naturalization Self Test

100 Civics Questions and Answers with MP3 Audio (English Version)

100 Civics Questions and Answers with MP3 Audio (Spanish Version)

El Civics (Crosswords and simple Civics and history lessons for ESL students)

Learn American English On Line Citizenship Section

Let’s Talk!! An optional conversation class is offered to our intermediate and advanced students prior to the core ESL classes. Facilitated by several volunteers each session, the conversation class provides a 45-minute period for students to practice conversation skills. Different topics will be the focus each session. The conversation class meets from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM. Facilitators plan activities and conversation topics and report to their Tuesday/Thursday counterparts. The estimated time commitment is 90 minutes/week.
Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

• The cost is $10/class for each term. Credit/Debit Cards accepted.
• There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring).
• Placement test is administered online – test link will be sent by e-mail within 3 days of registration.

Write Right! An optional writing class is offered to our Intermediate 3 and advanced students prior to the core ESL classes. Taught by two volunteers each session, the writing class provides a 45-minute period for students to develop their writing skills. The writing class meets from 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM. Teachers lead in-class activities and assign and edit homework. The estimated time commitment is 2 hours/week.

• The cost is $10/class for each term. Credit/Debit Cards accepted – initial payment will be made online.
• There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring).
• Placement test is administered online – test link will be sent by e-mail within 3 days of registration.
• New students must purchase books. Book pickup will be arranged at St. Mark