Yolo County Library

ESL

Yolo County Library ESL Classes are for English language learners with a focus on meeting the needs of our county’s rural Spanish-speaking community.

  • Esparto Regional Library, 17065 Yolo Avenue, Esparto (530) 666-8079
  • Knights Landing branch library, 42351 Third Street, Knights Landing (530) 666-8079
  • Winters Community Library, 708 Railroad Avenue, Winters  (530) 666-8079

All three branches provide beginning ESL classes twice a year with support from the California State Library.  Classes are free.

  • South Davis Montgomery library branch, Montgomery Elementary School library, Davis  (530) 666-8079

Beginning ESL classes are offered twice a year with support from the City of Davis.  Classes are free.

Other resources in Yolo County for learning English

  • Davis Adult & Community School, 315 W. 14th St, Davis 95616, (530) 757- 5380

Provides ESL Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced.  They also have classes for Parents of English Learners and Parent Support for Child Academic Success.  These classes are free.

  • UC Davis, 109 Voorhies Hall, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752- 6283

Offers Courses for Multilingual Students (formally English as a Second Language) that provide classes on written and oral English.  These courses are for UC Davis students and have a cost associated.

  • International House. 10 College Park, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 753 – 5007

Provides members with free English conversation groups. Membership is $120/year or $15 per month.  English conversation classes are offered on Tuesdays at 11 am Wednesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at noon. All classes are an hour long.

  • Woodland Adult School, 575 Hays Street, Woodland, CA 95695, (530) 662 – 0798

Provides ESL Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced.  These classes are free.  Four levels of ESL classes are held Monday through Friday at the Adult Education main site, 575 Hays Street from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Four levels of classes are held Monday through Thursday at the Adult Education main site, 575 Hays Street in the evening from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

  • Woodland Community College, 2300 E. Gibson Rd., Woodland 95776, (530) 668 – 3682

Provides ESOL non-credit and credit.  Non-credit classes require a $10 enrollment fee.  Class times vary each semester.

  • Washington Adult School in West Sacramento, Yolo Education Center, 919 Westacre Rd., West Sacramento 95691, (916) 375 – 7740

Provides ESL Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced.  These classes are free. Class times are Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 11:30 am; Tuesday and Thursday, 5 – 8 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 8:15 – 11:15 am. The Tuesday/Thursday morning class is offered at the Elkhorn Village, 750 Cummins Way, West Sacramento, CA 95605.

  • Sacramento City College West Sacramento Center 1115 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691, (916) 375 – 7740

Provides ESL Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced.  These classes are approximately $50 per unit. Federal Financial aid is available. Placement test is free. May have $30 for additional enrollment fees.  Class times vary per semester and are mostly remote currently.

ESL at Yolo County Library:

ESL Services Mission Statement:  Yolo County Library partners with residents and organizations to create a more inclusive, responsible community where people understand and can be understood through access to English learning opportunities.

ESL services are Library based:  Yolo County Library provides ESL learning opportunities at our rural library branches.  Participants get a library card and use library resources as part of the curriculum.

ESL services are a core library service:   ESL services contribute to the top three Library Strategic Priorities by: 1) providing the means to ensure that Yolo County residents read and thrive, 2) helping lifelong learners succeed, and 3) offering programs and services that strengthen community connections.  Library staff work directly with participants and develop programs and services based on the needs and aspirations of the community.

ESL services are learner-based: Each participant is invited to an intake process which involve meeting with a person of similar cultural background, listening, asking questions, and listening again.  This process is culturally sensitive and supportive. Participants will set learning objectives that help them meet their life goals.  The ESL learning opportunities will provide pathways for learners to participate as mentors, teacher’s aides, and to pursue their educational goals.

ESL services are community-focused:  Yolo County Library branches have a long history serving rural communities.  Ongoing discussions with diverse residents and social service agencies inform the library programs.   ESL services will meet with underserved individuals to make sure they are heard.  ESL services will connect learners to needed services and build on the strengths within the community.

ESL services are volunteer supported:  In Winters and Esparto, graduates of our previous ESL classes have continued to attend class as a teacher’s assistant.  They are volunteering to help so that they can continue to learn.  ESL services will provide more opportunities for learners to volunteer.  Each class will have students who participate as class assistants or leading small group discussions.   These learners build their skills and build community connections.  The volunteers from ESL learning groups will create a community of learners and bring more opportunities and resources to their families and the community at large. As the program develops volunteers, a volunteer recognition program will be established.

ESL services staff are professionally engaged:  Staff will be connected to the State Library network and participate in trainings from the State Library.  Staff with ESL teaching experience will provide trainings for volunteers and other staff.  Coordinators and managers that support ESL services will seek out evidence-based strategies in providing ESL services.