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 seven 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.
• The classrooms are state-of-the-art and allow a multimedia approach.
• At least two instructors lead each class.
• The cost is $25/class for each term. Cash and Credit/Debit Cards accepted.
• There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring) as well as a summer bonus term.
• Optional citizenship tutoring, conversation class, and writing class are available for eligible students.
• Placement test is administered at registration.
• New students must purchase books.
• No children are allowed at St. Mark during our adult classes.

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 classrooms are state-of-the-art and allow a multimedia approach.
    • At least two instructors lead each class.
    • The cost is $10/class for each term. Cash and Credit/Debit Cards accepted.
    • There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring) as well as a summer bonus term.
    • Placement test is administered at registration.
    • No children are allowed at St. Mark during our adult classes.

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 classrooms are state-of-the-art and allow a multimedia approach.
• At least two instructors lead each class.
• The cost is $10/class for each term. Cash and Credit/Debit Cards accepted.
• There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring).
• Placement test is administered at registration.
• New students must purchase books.
• No children are allowed at St. Mark during our adult classes.

An optional class offered to Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 students before the core ESL classes. Sessions are led by two instructors. The workshop accelerates the English learning process by giving students more practice with the skills taught in their ESL classes. 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM.

• The classrooms are state-of-the-art and allow a multimedia approach.
• At least two instructors lead each class.
• The cost is $10/class for each term. Cash only.
• The book cost is additional when necessary.
• There are 3 academic year terms (fall, winter, spring).
• Placement test is administered at registration.
• New students must purchase books.
• No children are allowed at St. Mark during our adult classes.