English Language Learners

Do you need to improve your English oral, reading and writing skills?

The goal of our English Language Learner (ELL) classes is to enable adults whose native language is not English, to communicate in English in day-to-day life and work situations. To help achieve this goal, students work both in structured classroom and lab settings. Instruction includes an array of curriculum utilizing audio, computer, workbook and conversational materials and some off-campus activities, such as fieldtrips.

ELL classes at Madison College are offered to adults who are permanent residents of Wisconsin, refugees or US citizens. We are unable to provide classes to individuals here on a temporary Visa (types A – J). All ELL classes are non-credit and offered tuition free however some classes may require the purchase of a textbook.

Getting started

To get started you need to attend an Orientation Session. The session can take up to 3-4 hours, so plan accordingly. No appointment is needed. You must arrive on time; seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students arriving late will not be admitted. Also, no children are allowed at the Orientation session. At the Orientation you will:

• Receive information on ELL classes offered through MATC
• Receive general information about MATC and the different programs offered
• Take the ESL Compass assessment test which is done on the computer
• Obtain your ESL Compass test results and ELL placement level
• Receive registration information

Where are classes offered?

The majority of ELL classes are offered at the Downtown Education Center (DTEC). Other structured ELL classes are offered at the South Madison Community Campus (SMCC) and higher level classes are offered at the Truax Campus.

At Madison College sites where there are not enough students to support structured classes (such as Outreach sites and Regional campuses), ELL is taught in a lab setting. This allows students at various levels to work independently through the use of workbooks, audio tapes, videos, and computers with instructor support.