Free drop-in classes
Ulster BOCES, free classes for those 18 and older. To register or ask questions, call 845-331-5050, ext. 2243. Schedule as of February 2024:
Ulster Literacy Association, 480 Aaron Court, Kingston, Mondays & Wednesdays, 6-8:30 PM
New Paltz Middle School, 196 Main Street, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6-9 PM
Ulster BOCES CTC, 319 Broadway, Route 9W, Port Ewen, Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 PM and Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 PM
Ellenville Adult Learning Center, 104 Center Street, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30-4:30 PM and 5-8 PM
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m., The Broadway Bubble, 718 Broadway, Kingston, for details call 845-750-1668. Co-sponsored by the Ulster Literacy Association.
Center for Creative Education, 16 Cedar Street, Kingston. For days and times or other information call 845-338-7664.
Ulster Literacy Association offers free one-on-one English tutoring, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for ages 16 and up, and help with high school equivalency studies in Kingston, New Paltz, and Saugerties.
To request tutoring, get updates on classes, or for other information, call 845-331-6837 or email Amy@UlsterLiteracy.org or Giuditta@UlsterLiteracy.org.
Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley has free drop-in centers in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, and Orange counties. They welcome learners regardless of literacy level. One-on-one tutoring also may be available.
Details: info@literacyconnections.org. Classes meet in Hudson (518-828-1792, ext. 104), Poughkeepsie (845- 452-8670), and Newburgh (845-232-0734). Call for times and locations.
Free app for learning English
Public libraries in Ulster County and throughout the Hudson Valley offer Transparent Language. This app is available free to anyone with a library card and can be used to study more than 110 languages. Library cards are free at any public library or online. The app allows users to learn a language from computer, phone, or tablet and allows people to start at the very beginning with a language and build on the skills by speaking into the speaker on their phone or computer and getting immediate feedback.
Free online classes
Episcopal Church of the Messiah has free virtual classes for English language learners on Mondays at 7-8 p.m. for beginners and 8-9 p.m. for intermediate students. During the summer, classes may be replaced with Fun & Free in the Hudson Valley — trips and social events. Interested students may call or text Liz Schembri, 845-242-1199, or email Rhinebeck.episcopal@gmail.com.
Neighbors Link offers free online classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) and U.S. Citizenship. As of March 2023, ESL classes were scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9-11 a.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 6-8 p.m.; and Saturday, noon to 2 p.m. See the latest schedule here. For more information, email esl@neighborslink.org or phone 914-666-3410.
More free or low-cost classes
SUNY Ulster offers English for Speakers of Other Languages at 94 Mary’s Avenue in Kingston, 60 hours for $20. Classes typically start in January, April, July, and September. Call for days and times, 845-339-2025.
Dutchess BOCES has English as a Second Language and literacy classes in Poughkeepsie and other locations in Dutchess County. High school equivalence classes are offered in person and online. There is a one-time $10 registration fee for classes. For more information or to register call 845-483-3640, ext. 6127. Students of all languages and backgrounds are welcome.
Dutchess Community College offers 90 hours of English as a Second Language ($25 plus textbooks) and high school equivalency classes ($20) classes are in English or Spanish, online or in-person in Dutchess County. See schedule. New classes begin every few months. Questions? ESL@SunyDutchess.edu or 845-790-3590.