ESL for Students

St. Mark ESL offers low-cost English language classes, Beginner Workshop, Citizenship instruction, Conversation classes, and Writing Classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Fairfax County, VA. All Fall 2022 classes will be conducted in person at St. Mark, 9970 Vale Rd. in Vienna. We welcome adult English students of all abilities and faiths to our classes. Please read more below and by exploring the menu down the right side of the page. If you have further questions, feel free to email StMarksESL@gmail.com.

Our goal is to ‘Welcome the Stranger’ and provide a program where adult learners from all ethnic and religious backgrounds can come and learn English and acclimate better to life in the U.S.

Winter/Spring 2023 registration is closed, please check back in August for more information about our Fall 2023 classes

English Language Classes

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.
• The cost is $25/class for each term. Credit/Debit Cards accepted.
• Optional citizenship tutoring, beginner workshop, conversation class, and writing class are available for eligible students.
• There will be a placement test at the time of registration.
• New students must purchase books.

Citizenship Preparation

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 ($5).
  • 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

Beginner Workshop

Extra Practice for Beginners. The optional Beginner Workshop is offered prior to the core ESL Classes. With a teacher and an assistant, this 45-minute class offers more practice in speaking and listening comprehension for Beginning students. Teachers coordinate with the regular Beginner class teachers to provide extra review. The Beginner Workshop meets from 7:00-7:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The estimated time commitment is 90 minutes per week.
Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

• The cost is $10 for each term. Cash and Credit/Debit cards are accepted.
• There are 2 academic terms per year: Fall and Winter/Spring
• New students must purchase the textbook.

Conversation Class

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 2 academic terms per year: Fall and Winter/Spring
• There will be a placement test at the time of registration.

Writing Class

Write Right! An optional writing class is offered to our Intermediate 3 and advanced students prior to the core ESL classes. Taught by an experienced teacher for 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.
• There are 2 academic terms per year: Fall and Winter/Spring
• There will be a placement test at the time of registration.
• New students must purchase books.