The Best ESL/English Classes in Oklahoma City

Updated: January 1, 2022

Oklahoma City has diverses linguistically in the past 30 years. To keep up with that diversity, many organizations now teach English as a Second Language (ESL). English classes are every now. I’ve been helping non-native English speakers improve their English since 2004. I’ve also taught English and conversation at different organizations.

There are many places to learn English these days. Some are online, face-to-face, or private lessons. Many of you ask “where can you learn English in OKC?,” or “are there free English classes in OKC?” With so many options, which are the best?

How can you know if your ESL place is good?

This blog post is going to answer the first of those two questions.

Free English Courses in OKC, Or Paid?

Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. That means that there are many options for both paid and free English classes in the area. I have taught at both types. Here are my reviews and recommendations for 3 great ESL courses that are free. In part 2 of this blog post, I’ll give you my top recommendation for ESL classes that aren’t free.

Free ESL Classes

I have already created a blog post about free courses, so I won’t repeat myself. You can read that post here.

Free classes here often have well-trained teachers. Sometimes they don’t. Most classes are taught at a local Christian church, K-12 school, or at an organization. English classes near OSU OKC? No problem. You live in Bethany? There are classes there, too. English courses are abundant across OKC, which is good. However, sometimes class sizes are big (there are too many students).

I personally have had students complain to me that some teachers in those courses only focus on grammar and never allow them to speak, which isn’t helpful to you. You’re trying to get fluent. That alone doesn’t get you there.

In my fluency course for intermediate students, I coach you on how to use your English in every situation.

Here are 4 ESL courses that I recommend in no particular order. If you get a great teacher, you’ll learn English in no time!

CLC

Community Literacy Center, or CLC, teaches many things. They have ESL classes, Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes, as well as High School Equivalency (HSE) classes. None of their classes are taught at their building.

I was a teacher here in 2017. In general, the organization is doing great work. There are many classes in the morning (A.M.) and evening (P.M.). Some have childcare. All of the teachers have experience and a degree, but not always in ESL/EFL/TESOL. However, that’s not necessary.

What’s good:

• passionate teachers
• knowledgeable teachers
• affordable classes (free)
• many classes across OKC

What’s bad:

• some crowded classes
• 2-hour classes can be long for some students
• mixed level classes (beginners with intermediates, etc.)
• no standard curriculum (but that doesn’t mean you won’t learn English)

OCCC

Oklahoma City Community College has a monopoly of ESL classes in the area. I taught an intermediate English class in 2020 for them. Here’s why I recommend them:

What’s good:

• very professional and organized
• you get a textbook and online access to the course materials
• all teachers have a masters degree
• qualified, experienced teachers
• many classes in the Oklahoma City area
• many ESL classes taught on their ESL site: FACE Center
• students from different countries

What’s bad:

• no classes for beginners
• long classes
• classes twice a week
• overcrowded classes
• limited opportunity to speak (this depends on the class)
• some classes are monolingual
• entrance/exit exams (but that’s not a bad thing)

NWBC Language Fellowship

In 2019, I taught a level-5 (the highest level) conversational English course for them. There are many levels. There are also many classes. You can also learn other languages such as Chinese, French, Arabic, Spanish, Korean, etc.

What’s good:

• relaxed classes
• students from many countries
• the classrooms are inviting
• classes are 1.5 hours long
• supportive classes
• class sizes are usually not big
• you can learn other languages, too

What’s bad:

• classes are only one day a week
• some classes don’t have technology
• no curriculum (teachers teach whatever)
• no systematic approach to your learning
• many teachers don’t have degrees (this isn’t necessarily a bad thing)

There you have it! There are the the top 3 places to learn English (ESL) in Oklahoma City.

Have you learned at these places? What was your experience?

Ashley Rhone is the CEO/Owner and English coach at Paradigm English. She hosts the Living in English: 365 podcast which is available on Spotify, Google Play, Audible, Pandora, etc. Her goal is to help adult intermediate English proficiency level students with their 3 biggest challenges to their success in English: listening, speaking, and vocabulary. Join her 2021 fluency course. Ashley loves learning and is currently learning Spanish, German, and Turkish. She lives with her pit bull ‘Penny’ and her horse ‘Magnus’ in Oklahoma.