Community Language Program

Professional Development

Community Language Programs

Ongoing Enrollment

Program Description:

The Community Language Program (CLP) at Teachers College, Columbia University, offers affordable, high-quality English instruction primarily for local adult learners, with select online classes open to broader communities.

As an educational lab school, the CLP has two purposes: 1) to provide immersive English instruction and 2) to create a practical teacher training and research space for graduate students in TC’s Applied Linguistics and TESOL. Courses are designed to build language proficiency, foster cross-cultural communication, and support learners in achieving their personal, academic, and professional goals.

Classes are offered in both in-person and online synchronous formats (via Zoom), with a range of schedule options across Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Key Highlights

Affordable Excellence: Receive high-quality, low-cost language instruction from dedicated teachers committed to student success.
Diverse Community: Connect with a vibrant, multicultural cohort of learners in the heart of New York City.
Flexible Learning: Choose from morning and evening classes in synchronous online or on-campus formats.
Interactive Environment: Learn in small, engaging class sizes ranging from 8 to 18 students.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for adult English language learners (ages 18 and older) typically living in the New York metropolitan area. It is ideal for individuals looking to improve their English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for daily life, professional growth, or academic preparation.

Note: The CLP is a part-time, non-credit program and does not provide visa sponsorship.

Courses

ESL Integrated Skills Course

This 60-hour course helps students improve their English speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar through real-world themes and topics. Classes are available for all learning levels, from Beginner to Advanced, to help learners communicate clearly in everyday life, work, and study.

Click here for more information

Focused Skills Courses

The ESL Focused Skills Courses are a set of classes that help students target specific language areas like conversation, grammar, writing, pronunciation, professional English, or TOEFL preparation. These specialized 30-hour classes help students build confidence and improve the exact skills needed for daily communication, academic success, or career growth. Each of these classes has a minimum level for students to be eligible, and they are not for true beginners.

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Instructors

Most of our ESL Integrated Skills classes are taught by TC master’s candidates in Applied Linguistics and TESOL who are completing their hands-on teaching practicum—bringing fresh energy and cutting-edge methods to every lesson. Focused Skills courses are led by doctoral students and program graduates with extensive teaching experience.

Schedule of Semesters

Fall: September-December (10 weeks)

Spring: February-April (10 weeks)

Summer: Late June-Early August (8 weeks)

To check out current dates, please click here.

To register, pay, and take the placement exam (mandatory for all new students and students returning after 13+ months), visit the Registration page of the CLP website.

Certificate Eligibility

A Certificate of Completion is awarded to students who 1) achieve a grade of C- (70%) or higher and 2) meet the program’s attendance requirements (i.e., have fewer than 10 absent hours and fewer than 10 tardies). Click here to read the full attendance policy.

More Offerings from TC Academy

Fall Spring Summer Education Hybrid View All