GENERAL INFORMATION:
All are welcome in our classes! Because WEC focuses on adult education, the only requirement is that you must be 18 years of age or older. Proof of residence and immigration status are not required in order to register.
Winter 2024 registration is now open!! Group classes run from January 16 to March 28. One-on-one tutoring is rolling. Group U.S. Citizenship Preparation classes run from January 22 to March 28.
HOW TO ENROLL FOR WINTER 2024:
Step 1: Complete our English-language placement test to determine the best class level for you. (New students only. Returning students choose their level based on their previous class).
Step 2: Complete the Winter 2024 registration form. Choose your class level based on your placement test score or your previous class.
Step 3: Pay tuition OR apply for a scholarship if you need financial aid. When you click "submit" on the registration form, you will see a confirmation message and a payment link to pay online. WEC accepts all major credit cards (i.e., VISA, MasterCard, American Express).
For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked questions (FAQs) below. If you are interested in the U.S. Citizenship Preparation Class, use this Citizenship class registration form. This class is only recommended for students who will be eligible for US citizenship in the next 2 years.
DO YOU NEED REGISTRATION HELP?
Send an email to registration@washingtonenglish.org OR,
Call 202-387-2222 and choose menu option 2 for assistance OR,
Come to WEC for in-person support during our drop-in office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-7:00pm. WEC is located at 401 9th St NW, c100, Washington, DC, 20004. We are on the concourse level (take the elevator to floor C).
Improve your English. Improve your life.
Join a community of students from 100+ countries, speaking over 40 different languages!
- 30 years of experience
- Dedicated, trained volunteer teachers
- Affordable prices - no student turned away due to inability to pay
- Convenient morning and evening hours to fit your schedule
- Online and in-person options to suit your learning style
Register here to secure your spot!!
In-Person GROUP english CLASSes
Daytime: Monday to Thursday, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Evening: Monday to Thursday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST
Duration: 11 weeks
Price: $220
*Special offer: Register and pay by Friday, December 1st, and get an early bird discount of $10 off
- In-person students are provided print books.
ONLINE GROUP ENGlISH CLASSES
Daytime: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Evening: Monday to Thursday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET
Duration: 11 weeks
Price: $220
*Special offer: Register and pay by Friday, December 1st, and get an early bird discount of $10 off
- ALL online classes are delivered via Zoom.
- Our classes are best enjoyed on the larger screen of a tablet or computer but it is possible to participate on a mobile phone
- Online students are provided e-books.
ONLINE Citizenship Preparation Class
Evening: Monday to Thursday, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM ET
Duration: 10 weeks, start date January 22, 2024
Price: $50
- Delivered via Zoom.
- Our classes are best enjoyed on the larger screen of a tablet or computer but it is possible to participate on a mobile phone
- Citizenship students are provided with two print books: Citizenship: Civics and Literacy, and Citizenship: Passing the Test
- This class is only recommended for students who will be eligible for US citizenship in the next 2 years
ONLINE One-to-one Tutoring
Writing or Conversation Options Available!
Once Weekly: Tutors and Students Select Their Own Time Preference
Duration: 11 weeks
Price: $120
OUR STUDENTS HAVE COME FROM 120 COUNTRIES...
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala , Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, São Tomé and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States (Puerto Rico), Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia.
Don't see your country on this list? Register today and be the first WEC student from your country!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I register in person?
If you have difficulties registering online, please contact us for assistance (registration@washingtonenglish.org or 202 387-2222, menu option 2). You can also come to WEC's location for help during our drop-in office hours, Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-7:00pm.
What type of identification do I need in order to register?
We do not ask for proof of residence or immigration status during registration. Please note: WEC does not provide student visas.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We prefer online payment by credit/debit card or bank transfer. If this is an issue, please reach out to WEC staff at registration@washingtonenglish.org. Full and partial scholarships are available.
Does Washington English Center provide childcare?
No. We are an adult education program and are not able to provide childcare services. If childcare is a challenge, you may want to start with an online group class or individual online tutoring sessions. Or you could contact staff at registration@washingtonenglish.org for a referral to a community partner who may provide additional resources.
Does Washington English Center provide housing?
No. We do not provide housing.
Are textbooks included?
Yes, for group classes. Upon receipt of payment or scholarship, you will be issued a hard copy book (in-person) or an e-book (online) as a bonus from us. The e-books are best accessed on desktop, laptops, or Chromebooks. If you are an online student and would like a physical book, they may be purchased on Amazon or directly from us for $40.
What are the minimum technical requirements for online learning?
Our online classes, both group and individual tutoring, require a stable Internet connection. Though you can attend via smartphone, it is better to access group class via computer, tablet, or Chromebook.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. WEC has a robust scholarship program. We grant full or partial scholarships to all prospective students who need assistance. No students are turned away due to inability to pay. To apply, click here.
Do I receive a certificate or other documentation?
All students are issued an unaccredited “certificate of completion” after a successful term.
Do you provide support for obtaining visas?
We are not able to assist with the visa process; however, we will provide a letter outlining your coursework and duration of study with WEC.
Will I have opportunities to practice speaking in class?
Yes. Most classes have two co-teachers which affords increased opportunities to practice speaking. WEC co-teachers are trained on ESOL research and best practices which call for at least 70% of class time involving students actively using English.
How large are the classes?
Online classes will never have more than 25 students but, often, have fewer depending on the level and time of attendance. Morning classes at higher levels are the most popular in our online program. Most in-person classes have fewer than 15 regularly attending students. Morning in-person classes at higher levels are the most popular; if you are able to attend evening in-person your class will likely be smaller. Most classes (both online and in-person) have 2 teachers. Teachers are instructed to use frequent group work and other techniques to keep classes dynamic and interactive.
What is your refund policy?
We try to work with our students as much as possible so they can continue to attend classes and reach their language goals. If no resolution can be reached, a credit applied to the next term or, within certain time constraints, a refund. Please see our group class policies below for full details.
I need to improve my writing and grammar. Are classes conversation-only?
Instructors in WEC's group classes focus on all language skills: speaking, listening, writing, reading, grammar and pronunciation. You will have an opportunity to improve all areas of English. You may also choose the individual tutoring option to work one-to-one with a teacher on your conversation and/or writing skills.
Can I speak with staff in a language other than English?
We have staff members proficient in several languages other than English, including Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Mandarin. As our students speak more than 40 different native languages, English is the common language for many interactions. Staff are used to communicating with students with varying levels of English proficiency, and employing pictures, gestures, and Google Translate as needed.
For more information, please refer to our school policies here: Tutoring Policies Group Class Policies
Have a question about Washington, DC's Language Access Act of 2004? Click here for more information.