Where to Study English in Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina, the “international gateway to the south", is a metropolitan city offering a robust quality of life. Newcomers to the city who need to improve their English language skills or prepare for a U.S. education can enroll in one of the city’s ESL (English as a Second Language) programs.

The largest city in North Carolina is also the state’s cultural, economic, and transportation center. Nicknamed the “Queen City,” Charlotte is conveniently located to travel to the state’s mountains and beaches, as well as neighboring states along the Eastern Seaboard. The city is also home to a number of major universities and colleges, led by the Charlotte campus of the University of North Carolina. Cultural attractions include the Charlotte Museum, Mint Museum, and other institutions; performances at the Belk Theater; and the galleries and shops of the North Davidson Arts District.

Charlotte has long been considered the banking and financial center of the southeastern United States. However, the city means much more than business, providing English learners with plentiful cultural, shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. Visitors can stroll the grounds at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or the Orchid Conservatory. The amusement park at Carowinds provides roller coasts, live shows, and a water park. The Carolina Renaissance Festival each autumn is one of the largest renaissance-themed events in the country, while the Heroes Convention each June is among the oldest and largest comic book conventions in the United States.

With its mild winters and warm summers, outdoor recreation and sporting events are also plentiful throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The U.S. National Whitewater Center offers more than 30 different recreational activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, climbing, paddle boarding, and mountain biking. Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachians are a short distance away. However, beach lovers will need to drive more than 100 miles to reach the Brunswick Islands or the Outer Banks of North Carolina, or the coastal resort of Myrtle Beach, S.C. World-class snow skiing is within a two-hour drive of Charlotte at such prominent resorts as Sugar Mountain, Sapphire Valley, Beech Mountain, and Wolf Ridge. For those who prefer watching sports rather than participating, Charlotte’s professional sports teams include the Panthers of the NFL, the NBA’s Hornets, and the minor league Knights (baseball), Independence (soccer), and Hounds (lacrosse).

The Charlotte metropolitan region’s population grew by 20% from 2010 to 2020 to reach 885,000. Almost 17 percent of local residents are foreign-born, providing a diverse blend of cultural opportunities that welcome immigrants and visitors alike.

ESL Offerings at Colleges and Universities

ESL or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs help participants enhance their existing English skills or acquire new capabilities before they start college classes, begin a new job, or take up long-term residence in the United States. The scope of ESL programs range from beginner classes to refreshers for those already speak English (with an emphasis on American idioms and pronunciation). Some courses prepare students to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, which many U.S. education institutions require for admittance. Some schools offer online training which can help foreign students to learn English before they arrive.

Many public and private colleges and universities in North Carolina offer ESL and ESOL classes, including schools in Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington. Some are geared towards students already enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs at those institutions, while others may be available to non-traditional students who are not necessarily seeking a degree.

The University of North Carolina (UNC), the first public university in the United States, offers ESL classes as many of its 16 campuses, including the Charlotte location (https://www.applyesl.com/school.asp?sid=0106400&lid=0). Charlotte’s English Language Training Institute (ELTI) provides intensive English instruction for international students planning to attend an American college or university, as well as for those pursuing professional English training in the United States. UNC-Charlotte also offers a graduate program in teaching English as a second language. Its campus is located on a 400-hectare tract of rolling hills, forests, and streams at the edge of Charlotte.

Other institutions of higher learning providing ESL programs include:

Private Firms Provide ESL Programs

There are also private and not-for-profit organizations in the metropolitan Charlotte area that also offer ESL classes. Some only offer online classes, but many have reopened post-pandemic for in-person learning.

Private ESL programs include:

  • The Language Academy of the Carolinas has classes at three Charlotte campuses (https://www.carolinalanguage.com/learn-to-speak-english). The academy offers one-on-one training, group classes, and online courses on a variety of schedules. All classes are taught entirely in English to create an immersive experience.
  • Borealis Language Academy provides interactive small group English classes (http://www.borealislanguage.com/info/english-classes) at three locations for students ages 13 and up. Courses are available at four levels (beginner, intermediate, high intermediate, and advanced). Each series runs from six to eight months. Their method aims to teach students quickly through practical grammar tips and repetitive phrases.
  • The Metrolina Baptist Association partners with the international Edge Institute to offer ESL classes through nine churches in North and South Carolina (https://metrolina.org/esl-english-as-second-language). The classes promote cross cultural exchange between the Americas and international locations by teaching English and instructing professionals in Western business methods. Charlotte participants include Calvary Church (https://www.calvarychurch.com/esl) and Forest Hill Church.
  • The International House on Central Avenue in Charlotte offers ESL classes in partnership with Central Piedmont Community College (https://www.nld.org/beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-english-esl-classes?student=1. The classes focus on vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing, with a heavy life-skills component that includes sections on community resources.
  • The independent Charlotte Country Day School on Carmel Road (https://www.charlottecountryday.org/a-country-day-education/english-as-a-second-language) offers ESL for primary, middle school, and high school students, plus TOEFL Prep. Upper school classes include beginner ESL, intermediate ESL, ESL American history, and ESL World history.

Private tutors can be found at https://www.thumbtack.com/nc/charlotte/esl-classes and other similar sites. Other community outreach groups, churches, and public institutions also provide ELS classes, which can be found through online and community resources. These classes -- some of which are free of charge -- provide multiple opportunities for students and other newcomers to North Carolina to enhance their English skills.

Other things to consider:

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Please contact our company if you are interested in studying English in Charlotte or have questions about the Charlotte 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.