We offer a 10-week, six-hour/week class of college reading and writing preparation two or three times annually. The class is funded in collaboration with the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. In addition to academic reading/writing skill instruction, the course includes two full evenings at the Forest Park campus to become oriented to the campus and to meet with college advisors about admissions and financing issues.

Our goal is to increase students’ academic reading and writing skills, so they can be successful in community college studies. Since it began in May 2004, more than 100 students have participated, easing their transition to institutions of higher learning.

Who is eligible? Adults with high-intermediate English skills and with immigration status that is acceptable for admission to college.

Classes are FREE! They are underwritten by St. Louis Community College and other private and public sources. However, a course deposit of $20 is required.

What our students say:

“Without Bridge Class, we wouldn’t know about the community college. 50% of my class was from the International Institute.” (Student from Morocco)

Return To Top

Core Classes in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

We offer up to 7 levels of English instruction in general English languages skill development, literacy, pre-vocational skill development and cultural orientation on weekdays as follows:
Mornings: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 12:00 noon
Afternoons: Monday – Thursday, 1 – 3:30 pm
Evenings: Monday – Thursday, 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Registration hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm and 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

We help students develop their English speaking, reading, writing and listening skills, while increasing students’ background knowledge so they can better live and work in the US. Specific program goals include:

• Developing survival English language skills needed by newcomer adults as they adjust to living in the US.

• Delivering more intensive literacy training to those with no or limited literacy in their primary language, and special language support for the elderly.

• Transitioning immigrants from dependence on survival and specialized services to long-term self-sufficiency in the area of language learning.

Annually, 2,000 students representing more than 100 ethnicities attend English classes that enable them to vastly improve their language skills so they can more fully integrate in the St. Louis community.

Who is eligible? Students must be at least 16 years of age and not enrolled in a public secondary education institution.

Classes are FREE! They are underwritten by the Adult Education and Literacy Program of the St. Louis City Public Schools and other private and public sources.

What our students say:

“I’m happy because I’m going to school at the International Institute to learn English. It helps me for looking for a new job” (Student from Bosnia)

“When I came to this country, I didn’t know anything. The International Institute teachers have helped me very much and now I’m so much better” (Student from Vietnam)

“The International Institute allows me to improve my English skills…the course is really complete: grammar, speaking, writing, and even reading. Furthermore, sharing my experiences with classmates from different countries is always enriching.” (Student from France)

Contact Information
Mary Kuziel-Hemmen (hemmenm@iistl.org ) ext. 108
Anita Barker (barkera@iistl.org ) ext. 107

Return To Top

Citizenship Preparation Classes

We prepare students to take the US citizenship test by developing their knowledge of civics, the N-400 application process, and the English language skills they need for a successful naturalization interview. Classes for students with intermediate-level English language skills are offered as 12-week sessions, 3 times per year in the evenings (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30 – 9 pm) and on Saturday mornings (9:30 am– 12:30 pm). Classes for elderly students are offered as 14-week sessions, 3 times per year in the afternoons (Tues – Thurs, 1:00 – 3:00 pm).

Registration hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm and 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Our goal is to successfully prepare our students to obtain US Citizenship, so they can become more fully integrated into St. Louis as citizens and voters. More than 200 students attend citizenship classes annually.

Who is eligible? For our elderly class, students must be at least 60 yrs old.
For evening and Saturday classes, students must have intermediate-English language skills and be at least 16 yrs old and not enrolled in a public secondary education institution.

Classes are FREE! They are underwritten by the Adult Education and Literacy Program of the St. Louis City Public Schools and other private and public sources.

What our students say:

“Before, when I hear someone is taking the citizenship test, I am afraid. Now I am afraid of nothing. I know I will pass the test.” (Student from Somalia)

Contact Information
Phyllis Mithen (mithenp@iistl.org ) ext. 153
Anita Barker (barkera@iistl.org ) ext. 107

Return To Top

“Discover St. Louis” Saturday Program

For more than a decade, we have been offering immigrant families special educational experiences to expand their English language skills and background knowledge connected with living in St. Louis. Currently, we offer programs on two Saturdays per month, including workshop-style instruction and field trip experiences to local sites like the Zoo, History Museum, Public Library, Powder Valley Nature Center, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Magic House, Science Center, Art Museum, Grant’s Farm, the Old Courthouse and Arch.

Our goal is to help newcomer families more effectively integrate into their new community by:

• Familiarizing them with community resources in the St. Louis area,
• Offering opportunities for them to interact with American-born volunteer chaperones, and
• Increasing their social English language skills through conversation practice with our volunteers.

Thus, our participants can develop a stronger sense of the broad array of amenities offered in St. Louis and can feel more connected and empowered. Annually, more than 700 immigrants join with more than 100 volunteers to explore St. Louis.

Who is eligible? Students enrolled in the Core ESOL program and their families

Participation is FREE! Services are underwritten by a variety of private and public sources.

What our participants say:

“One reason I like to study at the Institute is because sometimes on Saturdays, we have a field trip to let us know about America.” (Student from Vietnam)

Contact Information
Sarah Barnard (barnards@iistl.org ) ext. 111
Anita Barker (barkera@iistl.org ) ext. 107

Return To Top

Literacy Tutorial

We help meet the special needs of pre- and low literate ESOL students by offering them individualized literacy instruction. They receive instruction one-on-one or in groups of two or three. Instruction is provided through volunteer tutors who are trained and overseen by state-certified adult education staff experienced in ESOL literacy instruction. Tutoring sessions are offered Monday-Thursday 1:00-3:30 and Tuesday-Thursday 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Registration hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm and 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

Our goal is to help develop English reading and writing skills in adult students who lack literacy in their primary language. Thus, they can more fully interact with their families and the larger community and increase their potential to find higher skilled jobs. More than 100 students attend tutorials annually.

Who is eligible? Students must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in a public secondary education institution.

Classes are FREE! They are underwritten by the Adult Education and Literacy Program of the St. Louis City Public Schools and other private and public sources.

What our students say:

“I learned everything from this class. When I came here, I knew nothing, no reading, no writing. Now I am reading everything. This teacher, she teach me everything.” (Student from Somalia)

Contact Information
Jan Rodriguez (rodriguezj@iistl.org ) ext. 109
Anita Barker (barkera@iistl.org ) ext. 107

Return To Top