Where to Study English in Atlanta?

International students, professionals, and business executives arriving in Atlanta who need to improve their English language skills and/or advance their academic careers can enroll in one of the area’s many English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. 

ESL programs help students and employees who are not native English speakers enhance their skills as they enter college or the workplace. The scope of ESL programs cover a variety of opportunities geared towards the needs and abilities of individual students and non-students. Some courses provide a basic introduction to the English language, while others emphasis American flavors of pronunciation, vocabulary and verbalization. Several universities offer courses designed to prepare non-native English speakers for academic pursuits. Other courses prepare students to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam which is required by many colleges and universities.

Atlanta is a particularly attractive destination for international students who want the amenities and opportunities of a major metropolis while enjoying the laid-back environment of a friendly Southern city. Atlanta has all the trappings of a large city -- museums, concerts, sports teams, parks, recreational venues, and corporate headquarters – in a less intimidating setting. The city is also truly a melting pot where a broad range of Asian, European, Middle Eastern and Latino cultures blend with Americans from all parts of the United States. 

That diversity has also created a favorable climate for numerous successful ESL programs offered by private educational companies, public universities and private colleges. In addition to providing classroom settings where students enhance their English skills, many schools incorporate field trips and class outings that take full advantage of the vibrant Atlanta cultural diversity. Many institutions have also added expanded their online offerings to serve students outside the Atlanta metropolitan area and around the world.

Private ESL Schools Offer Variety of Programs

There are a number of private institutions that offer ESL classes in the Atlanta area. Some are local entities with decades of experience, while others are branches of national educational companies that provide similar services across the country. (NOTE: Some institutions are still conducting remote-only learning, so check their websites for the latest in-person training opportunities.)

The private ESL schools include:

  • Atlanta English Institute (https://atlantaenglishinstitute.com) provides intensive language training, test preparation and private tutoring to non-native speakers of all skill levels. AEI is located in Dekalb County near the International Village, in the heart of Atlanta’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods. 
  • Atlanta International Language Institute (https://www.languageatlanta.com) on Glenridge Drive in northwestern Atlanta offers local classes in more than 20 languages. The institute offers corporate training for language learning; private and group classes; and translations and interpretation services. 
  • C.C.B. School of Atlanta (https://www.ccbatlanta.edu) in Duluth, Gwinnett County, 10 levels of IEP for adult learners. Their Intensive English Program is designed to improve overall competency and language acquisition in English by developing the core skills of speaking, reading, listening, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Sessions run for eight weeks with 18 hours of classroom instruction per week. 
  • English for Internationals (www.eng4intl.com) in the Roswell area of Fulton County provides a variety of daytime and evening courses throughout the year, with new programs beginning every two months. Popular offerings include Au Pair English, Intensive English, and prep classes for the SAT and TOEFL iBT for those interested in attending a college or university.
  • The English Island (https://www.theenglishisland.com) on Powers Ferry in Atlanta provides ESL classes for individual students, groups, and businesses. Specialty programs include corporate English, F-1 Visa English, and Dentistry English for Brazilians. 
  • Interactive College of Technology (www.ict.edu), another nationwide ESL course provider, has three campuses in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The main facility is in the northern Atlanta suburb of Chamblee, Dekalb County, while satellite locations are available in Gainesville (Hall County) north of the city and Morrow (Clayton County) to the south. ICT offers computer and business degrees alongside ESL courses such as Vocational English as a Second Language Program and TOEFL preparation. 
  • Talk Atlanta English Schools (https://www.talk.edu/english-schools/atlanta) offers classes at its facility on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. The Atlanta school (also part of a national chain) includes 10 large classrooms, a full-time staff, and easy access to the MARTA subway system.

Public University Classes for Non-Native English Speakers

Many Georgia colleges and universities also offer ESL classes. Some are geared towards students enrolled in a degree program that those institutions. However, many public and private colleges provide several rounds of multi-week classes throughout the year to international students who are preparing for other educational or career opportunities in North America. Many are available to those who are not traditional students

Leading university-conducted ESL programs include:

  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), one of the top public universities in the United States, is located in downtown Atlanta. Programs at the Georgia Tech Language Institute (https://pe.gatech.edu/esl) help international students and professionals gain the communication and academic skills to begin a degree program at a university or college. GTLi can also customize programs and study options for groups of international students and professionals from around the world.
  • Georgia State University (www.gsu.edu) is an urban research university in downtown Atlanta where the Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL provides credit courses for bilingual and non-native English speaking undergraduate and graduate students. The university also offers a non-credit IEP (Intensive English Program) for those who are not GSU students (https://iep.gsu.edu). Courses are delivered at the downtown campus and at some of the five former Georgia Perimeter campuses in DeKalb, Fulton, and Newton counties. 
  • Kennesaw State University (Intensive English Program – College of Professional Education (kennesaw.edu)) in Cobb County northwest of Atlanta offers IEP, undergraduate, and graduate international students can receive tutoring in writing, reading, pronunciation, and presentation skills, as well as advising for their general education (core) requirements and mentoring. The English Language Program (ELP) offers assistance with writing, grammar, reading, pronunciation, conversation, and public speaking to students (IEP, undergraduate, and graduate), faculty, and staff for whom English is not their primary language. The ELP also provides mentoring and advising for general education (core) requirements.
  • Mercer University (www.mercer.edu) of Macon, one of America’s oldest private educational institutions, also offers ESL classes through its Atlanta campus. Mercer’s English Language Institute (https://www.mercer.edu/global-impact/eli) helps international students develop the linguistic proficiency needed for personal, professional, and academic success.

To supplement these on-campus experiences, many institutions work with outside groups to provide additional cultural exposure and language practice. Some groups arrange for students to live with American families who are willing to open their homes to international visitors. For example, Mercer University works with American Homestay Network (www.homestaynetwork.com) and Atlanta Homestays (www.atlantahomestays.com). Atlanta Homestays places students, interns and professionals who live with local families. These homestays provide lodging as well as opportunities for students to become fully immersed in American culture while becoming more comfortable exercising their English language skills. 

Other things to consider:

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Please contact our company if you are interested in studying English in Atlanta or have questions about the Atlanta area.  Using our network of colleges and universities in the United States, we may be able to help you select the right school for your specific educational goals.  Please email Michael at michael@visasupply.com if you have questions or require assistance.