Do you need to improve your English to get a job or a promotion? Apply for citizenship? Communicate with your children’s teachers? Become more confident and self-reliant? Whether your goals are personal or professional, the Palo Alto Adult School ESL program offers a wide-range of free classes to help you. For additional fee-based English classes, please see the English Enrichment section.
To enter our FREE classes, new students must register for a placement test.
Fall 2026 (Session #1) placement test registration is now full and closed.
Fall 2026 (Session #2) placement test registration (in-person only)
will be Fri., Sep. 25, 2026 at 9 a.m.
For more information, please contact the ESL office at (650) 494-2326,
or send us an email at esl@pausd.org.
For ESL program information please click here.
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Hear what our ESL students have to say about their class.
English
Spanish
If you have access to a computer and you want to learn English, you can learn at home! This is a good program if you cannot come to class regularly. Learn More
Instructor: Susan Stevick and Nikki Holt
These classes are offered for non-native speakers who have tested above our state-supported program or who wish to focus on one specific area of English. It is not necessary to take the placement test before enrolling in these classes. Learn More
Instructor: Adult School Staff
Study Medical English in our in-person ESL Healthcare Foundation class about healthcare settings and medical vocabulary. Learn More
Duration: 14 wks
Date range: Sep 1 - Dec 10
(No class: Nov 24 & 26.)
Day(s) of the week: Tue & Thu
Time: 6:30–9 p.m.
Location: Palo Alto HS Rm 31
Price: No Fee *
Instructor: Maria Abilock, mabilock@pausd.org
The Palo Alto Adult School ESL program offers many classes to help you meet your English learning goals. To enter our free classes, new students must register for a placement test. Learn More
Instructor: Adult School Staff
(Job Search Skills for ESL Students will return Fall 2026). In this class, you will learn to complete a job application, write a basic resume, practice job interview skills, and more! Learn More
Duration: 10 wks
Date range: Sep 15 - Nov 19
Day(s) of the week: Tue & Thu
Time: 1–3 p.m.
Location: Greendell Rm P6
Price: No Fee *
Instructor: Susan Silver, ssilver@pausd.org
Do you know about the latest version of the U.S. Citizenship interview? Learn everything you need in this course! Learn More
Duration: 8 wks
Date range: Oct 14 - Dec 9
(No class: Nov 25.)
Day(s) of the week: Wed
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Location: Live Online via Zoom
Price: No Fee *
Instructor: Sandy Cutshall scutshall@pausd.org
For information, contact ESL Volunteer Tutor Program Manager, Anjani Sarma: asarma@pausd.org. Learn More
Instructor: Anjani Sarma, ESL Volunteer Tutor Program Manager, asarma@pausd.org