English Classes

To register for classes, come to NSC during the enrollment period.

• We offer rolling enrollment in four sessions a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall).
• We offer in-person classes (at the NSC office). 
  • Classes meet twice a week, for 10 weeks in-person (2 hours each session, $180 per student - includes workbook)
  • Seven levels of classes are offered, from Beginner to Advanced  
• We offer online classes (Zoom)
  • Online classes meet twice a week, for 8 weeks online (1.5 hours each session, $125 per student)
  • Four levels of classes are offered, from Beginner to Advanced
• Classes are focused on speaking.
• Students receive a certificate for attending half the class sessions or more.  

To register as a new student for Spring 2023:

1. Fill out the Student Information Form
2. Participate in an English assessment 
   • Please come to NSC after March 1, Monday-Thursday, from 9 am-6 pm
   • Contact us by phone if you cannot come to the office during these hours.
3. Choose your class time and pay (cash or credit) 

Call us (215) 609-1525 or email Betsy O'Neil Smith (boneilsmith@nscphila.org) for help with registering OR if you are a returning student.

Our Approach

We use an integrated skills approach that combines skills in the classroom for a richer learning experience.  By integrating all language skills — listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary — we help students learn the whole of the language, rather than specific pieces. For In-person classes, NSC offers Integrated Skills at seven different proficiency levels. For online classes, NSC offers the following four levels:

• Beginner 
  Students learn fundamental language skills needed in the classroom and in daily life, with emphasis on speaking and listening. 

• Intermediate
  Students develop language skills beyond survival English, in order to respond appropriately and independently in familiar situations.

• High Intermediate
  Students refine language skills and develop the ability to use English spontaneously and in some unfamiliar situations.

• Advanced
  Students refine fluency and communication skills and begin to express complex ideas with fluency and accuracy, including developing control of advanced grammatical structures.

Facts about our program:

• Top languages spoken by NSC English Language Learners: Spanish, Mandarin, French, Arabic, Portuguese.  
• In 2019-20, we served 465 students. 
• In 2020-21, we filled 67 ESOL Volunteer Teacher slots.