Adult English Language Learners (ELL)

Open computer screen with photos of participants in an online meeting.

ELL Resources

Learn and improve English for free.

Work on:

  • reading
  • writing
  • speaking
  • listening
  • citizenship
  • job preparation

With:

  • library classes
  • self-study courses
  • online tutoring
  • books, ebooks, films

Find library materials in languages including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi, Filipino, Hindi, and Vietnamese.

Open computer screen with photos of participants in an online meeting.

Events for English Learners

Practice your English conversation skills with other English language learners in a friendly environment at special library programs. All levels are welcome.

Project Second Chance student and tutor looking at a study sheet.

Project Second Chance (PSC)

Learn to read and write English with a one-to-one volunteer tutor. For adults who can speak conversational English and want help with basic reading and writing. Learn more about PSC.

Get a Library Card

Find out how to get a library card. You can get an eCard at home or a full-access card if you are in a library.

Rapid Reads Series

Thrillers, mysteries, romances, suspense. This is a popular series for adults discovering the joy of reading.

Learn English-ESL Texts for Adult English Language Learners

To learn English or to teach English, have a look at this set of ESL grammar, conversation, vocabulary, and idiom texts.

Books on Dyslexia - Young Adult

YA books with strong characters with dyslexia, suggested by Decoding Dyslexia CA.

Online Resources

Mango Languages

With the Mango Languages database try 20 English classes taught in your first language. Also includes Little Pim, a program for children.

Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone database builds reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. It has over 50 hours of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation instruction at every language level.

Brainfuse - Live Tutoring Help

The Brainfuse database offers free online tutors for academic help every day, 1:00 – 10:00 p.m. It includes Live Tutoring, Writing Lab, Language Lab, and support for adult learners writing resumes. Spanish-speaking tutors are also available.

LearningExpress

The LearningExpress database offers self-study courses, practice tests and ebooks on Adult Core Skills like reading, writing, grammar; as well as sample tests and test preparation for citizenship exams, career exams, and High School Equivalency exams.

OverDrive/Libby

Overdrive and Libby offers eBooks and eAudiobooks, including Pimsleur audiobooks for English learning.

Kanopy Movies

The Kanopy database offers free, streaming, movies, online with closed captioning available so viewers can read and/or watch in English.

Back to Top