English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Skills Education

PAA’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Skills Education (ABE) curricula consist of courses approved by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and are designed to include instruction in English for educationally disadvantaged and limited-English speaking immigrants.

The Polish American Association's ESL program offers classes on all levels, from beginner to advanced. Students learn to listen, speak, read, and write in the English language and focus on developing skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. The Polish American Association also offers ABE classes, which provide more English language instruction, especially in reading and writing.  These classes aim to prepare students for the possibility of continuing education in colleges and trade schools. The programs are designed to accommodate the concept of open entry/open exit individualized instruction.  We have a qualified bilingual faculty, skilled in teaching adults, and sensitive to the concerns of limited-English speaking immigrants. Registration for classes starts every year on the first working day of August.  Classes begin in September and continue till the end of June.

All classes and materials provided during the school year are free of charge.

Classes are held on the Northwest and Southwest sides of Chicago, during convenient morning, evening, and weekend hours.

Northwest Side locations:

  • Polish American Association – 3815 N. Cicero Avenue
  • Polish American Association – 3834 N. Cicero Avenue
  • Copernicus Foundation - 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue
  • Community First Medical Center - 5645 W. Addison Street
  • Foreman High School - 3235 N. LeClaire Avenue

Southwest Side location:

  • Polish American Association – 6276 W. Archer Avenue

We also offer two computer labs, equipped with many current computer programs helpful in the process of learning English.

For more information please contact:
Northwest side: 1-773-282-1122 ext. 404, 405 and 409.
Southwest side: 1-773-767-7773 ext. 202

The school is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (www.ibhe.org).

The Polish American Association is not accredited with a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body.

Complaints, which cannot be resolved by direct negotiation with the School in accordance to our written grievance policy, may be filed with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701 or at complaints.ibhe.org/.

A statement of the institution's accreditation status with a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body. If no such accreditation exists, the institution must prominently state this in its advertising and published materials; (Are you or are you not accredited)

(Institution) is approved by the “Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.”


Community First Medical Center