COD offers ESL classes at St. Mary's school in West Chicago

Starting this summer, College of DuPage will offer GED and ESL courses in West Chicago at St. Mary's Parish Elementary School, 140 N. Oakwood Ave.

Courses offered at the new location will include General Educational Development and English as a Second Language, offered free of charge by the College for adult students age 17 and older.

According to Joe Cassidy, COD Dean of Continuing Education/Extended Learning, the new St. Mary's location will provide increased opportunities for students to attend these classes.

“The school's centralized location provides convenient access for students who walk to class or rely on public transportation,” Cassidy said. “In addition, this new location offers plenty of free onsite parking, as well as room for growth in terms of future programming.”

Beginning this fall, the College plans to offer an increased number of free GED and ESL courses in the West Chicago area. GED courses prepare adults to successfully take the test to earn a high school diploma, while ESL courses increase language and literacy skills for students whose primary language is not English.