Where to Study English in New Orleans

New Orleans -- one of the United States’ most popular destinations -- continues to draw international students, business executives, and tourists to the “The Big Easy.” 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.

One of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities in the United States, New Orleans is known around the world for its unique Anglo-French culture, distinctive music, native cuisine, Cajun dialects, and over-the-top Mardi Gras festivals. Located in the delta that is formed by the Mississippi River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, the port city of New Orleans has long been a crossroads where people from different countries and cultures mingle. The city’s history echoes in its eclectic hybrid of African-American, French and Spanish influences. New Orleans’ physical and emotion heart is the French Quarter, known for its distinctive blend of French, Spanish, and Creole architecture.

The melting pot that continues to recreate New Orleans sustains a legacy of arts and entertainment. The French Quarter’s Bourbon Street district has a global reputation for one-of-a-kind restaurants, colorful bars, and historic nightclubs. The New Orleans Museum of Art is one of many museums dedicated to the arts, history, nature, religion, multi-cultural influences, and the traditions of Mardi Gras itself. Preservation Hall, an iconic fixture in the jazz world since 1961, is possibly the best known among the numerous live music venues in the area that include the Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, Rock 'n' Bowl, and the original House of Blues. 

Outdoor recreation and sporting events are also plentiful throughout New Orleans and nearby parishes. You can bicycle through Audubon Park, walk beside the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Riverfront Park, or stroll through neighborhood trails around the city. Watersports include fishing for marlin and snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, kayaking Bayou St. John, sailing Lake Pontchartrain, and catching redfish and trout in the bayou. New Orleans has two professional sports teams (the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the Pelicans of the NBA), plus several semi-pro teams. The SuperDome, home of the Saints, also hosts a number of college and national sporting events.

The New Orleans metropolitan region’s population grew by 7% from 2010 to 2020 to surpass 1.2 million. More than five percent of New Orleans residents are foreign-born. Countries in Central and South America account for seven of the top 10 sources of immigrants, with China, India, and Vietnam contributing the remainder of the list.

ESL Offerings at Colleges and Universities

ESL or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs help participants acquire or enhance existing English skills before they start college, enter the workplace, 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). Other 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 that enables foreign students to learn English before arriving.

Many public and private colleges and universities in the greater New Orleans area offer ESL and ESOL classes. 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.

The best-known institution of higher learning in New Orleans is Tulane University, a private research institution with its main campus located downtown near Audubon Park. Tulane’s free English for Academic and Professional Purposes (https://global.tulane.edu/esl/eapp) offering is a two-week program that introduces incoming international students to the academic language of American university life. The more-intensive Tulane Advance provides 20 hours of instruction and activities per week. The school offers Teaching English Learners, which prepares participants to teach ESL courses.

Other area schools with ESL programs include:

  • The University of New Orleans’ Intensive English Learning Program (https://www.uno.edu/ielp) has helped thousands of students from more than 100 countries learn English, reach their academic goals, and succeed in the American university system. The institution is located in a quiet residential area on the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain, about 15 minutes from the historic French Quarter.
  • The Center for International Education at Loyola University New Orleans (https://cie.loyno.edu/loyola-intensive-english-program) offers the Loyola Intensive English Program. Students who attend the university can live, study, and play in colorful New Orleans.
  • Xavier University's English As A Second Language Program (https://catalog.xavier.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=37&poid=13765&returnto=2391) offers language instruction for international students who want to improve their ability to use English for professional purposes or who plan to enter an American college.
  • The English as a Second Language program at Delgado Community College (https://www.dcc.edu/academics/communication/english-second-language.aspx) introduces students to local culture while aiming to improve students’ English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in preparation for an American education.
  • Jefferson Parish Public Schools’ Office of Multilingual Learning (https://www.jpschools.org/Page/352) in Metairie offers free adult ESL classes to improve English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills while introducing immigrants to American and New Orleans culture.

Private Firms Provide ESL Programs

There are several private and not-for-profit organizations in New Orleans and surrounding parishes that offer ESL classes. Some only offer online classes, but a growing number of programs are reopening for in-person learning.

One of the largest and best-known is offered by the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of New Orleans (https://www.ccano.org/english-second-language-classes). The group provides ESL, family literacy, and related educational opportunities for immigrants and refugees in the greater New Orleans area. They also offer Citizenship Classes through the Pathway to Citizenship Project. ESL classes are available online, or in person in New Orleans and Metairie.

Other private ESL programs include:

  • Language Trainers (https://www.languagetrainers.com/english-courses-new-orleans.php), a North American language system, offers one-on-one, two-on-one, and group courses in General English and Business English in New Orleans.
  • Vamonos NOLA is a Spanish Language Program offering Spanish classes and camps to infants, kids, and adults in Uptown New Orleans. Vamonos NOLA was founded by local mothers to provide play-based language learning opportunities.
  • The Kenner Hispanic Resource Center in the suburb of Kenner (https://www.kenner.la.us/pages/section_2_188.asp) provides ESL classes for Spanish speakers and related services for immigrants.

Other community outreach groups, churches, and public institutions also provide ELS classes, which can be found through such online guides as https://www.oxfordseminars.com/esl-schools-directory/north_america/united_states/363_new_orleans and https://www.esldirectory.com/esl-program-search/usa/louisiana. These classes -- some of which are free of charge -- provide opportunities for students and other newcomers to Louisiana to obtain and/or enhance 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 New Orleans or have questions about the New Orleans 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.