The Language Institute at University Presbyterian Church offers classes to improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
We also have opportunities for you to practice your conversational English.
New students: Email Rebecca before registering: rebeccac@upc.org
New students: Email Rebecca before registering: rebeccac@upc.org
| Time | Classes | Why should I take this class? |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays &
Thursdays 9:30-11 |
Beginning English |
A class for beginners. Practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Teachers: Pat (Tuesdays) and Jason (Thursdays). Price: $70 |
| Time | Classes | Why should I take this class? |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays 10:30-12:00 |
Seedfolks and More! (Intermediate)
|
Seedfolks is a short (100 page) book about immigrants who share a neighborhood and begin a garden. We will discuss the action, characters, vocabulary, gardening and the setting for this hopeful story. Improve your reading, vocabulary and conversation skills in this fun, encouraging class.
Teachers: Carol and Sharon. Price: $70 |
|
Wednesdays 10:30-12:00 |
American Culture (Intermediate)
|
Come and learn about various American cultural ideas and concepts through reading, listening and class discussions.
Teacher: Jenny. Price: $70 |
| Time | Classes | Why should I take this class? |
|---|---|---|
|
Thursdays 10:00-11:15 |
Learning with Moms (Intermediate-Advanced) |
An opportunity for moms to meet for a conversational English class with fellow mom, Lauren. This class will be held in a child-friendly room so that children (including babies and toddlers) can come with their moms. In this class you will read from parenting books and articles, discuss parenting practices, and learn English idioms and parenting vocabulary. Come to this class to practice your English and grow as a mom. Teacher: Lauren. Price: $70 |
|
Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 on Zoom |
News Hour (Upper-Intermediate/Advanced) Online!
|
Learn English by reading articles about local, national, and international news. Participants will also listen to relevant audio reports to improve their listening comprehension.
Teacher: Margaret. Price: $70 |
|
Thursdays 10:30-12:00 |
Building Vocabulary Upper-Intermediate/Advanced)
|
Learn vocabulary in this active, context-driven English course. Move beyond definitions to truly own new words. You will unpack accurate pronunciation, word stress, meanings, and entire word families. At the end of the quarter, leave with strategies that will help you to continue building your vocabulary.
Teacher: Jane. Price: $70 |
| Time | Classes | Why should I take this class? |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 |
Culture and Conversation (Advanced) |
Join other advanced learners for lots of English conversation, some listening comprehension exercises, and in-depth discussions about American culture.
Teacher: Bruce. Price: $70 |
| Time | Classes | Why should I take this class? |
|---|---|---|
|
Flexible Day/Time |
Private Tutoring |
Are you working on a specific project or need work on a specific skill? Do you want to read articles or a book with a tutor? Bring it to a 1:1 session. Price: $240 for 8 90-minute sessions. |
Classes are 8 weeks long.
• 2026 Winter Quarter: January 12 – March 13
• 2026 Spring Quarter: March 31 – May 21
• Summer Break: June-August
Most classes cost $65 for eight weeks and one-on-one tutoring costs $220 for eight sessions.
Discounts and scholarships are available for refugees and low-income immigrants.
New students: Book a time to meet with Rebecca before registering.
Please use this document to help you identify your level.
New students: Book a time to meet with Rebecca before registering.
Have further questions? Contact the director, Rebecca Chase: rebeccac@upc.org; call or text: 206.410.5581
“If it weren’t for Language Institute’s guidance and practice with me, I never would have received the fellowship I applied for. The time my tutor spent with me indeed helped me a lot. Thank you so much for your dedication.” —University of Washington post-doctoral student
“This is my first time attending this kind of class. It is so different. I am grateful for patient teachers.”
“I don’t want another certificate. I want to experience the culture. I can do that here.”
“I can listen to different opinions in the class and learn from others.”
“The NEWS class forces me to open my horizons.”
“This class helps me think about parenting deeply. I can bring more tools and more strategy to my parenting like how to guide when your child hits somebody. This class is really efficient and important for parents. “
“I was lonely, shy, and afraid to speak English. For the first three months, I spent a lot of time at home alone. Then I joined Language Institute. Now I’ve made a lot of friends and feel much more confident speaking English!”
“At first, I didn’t imagine that I could read an English book until the end but following Valerie’s way is very helpful to me, and I made it. I’m proud of myself, and I would recommend this class.”
“Great teachers, friendly classmates, low student-to-teacher ratio, inexpensive tuition for high-quality classes. I LOVE my classes, and they keep me motivated.”
“Language Institute has been not only a forum where our family learns English but also a support group and a great social network that helps ease life’s hardships.”
“I love all my teachers. They all are supportive, nice, inspiring, patient, enthusiastic, and teach with real passion. I appreciate being part of this lovely community.”
“The parenting class helps me a lot to improve my parenting skills and increase my confidence by sharing my trouble with other moms. I really appreciate your help. I really recommend others to join Language institute.”
“The encouragement and support I get from my class is a priceless present.”
