Improve your English skills with high-quality instruction tailored for adult learners at a variety of levels. Experienced instructors – trained and certified in teaching English to speakers of other languages – create a supportive and engaging learning environment.
The fee-based courses run for eight to 12 weeks and meet once or twice per week, offering a flexible schedule for busy students. These two options are available:
For more information, email [email protected].
Wake Tech also offers an Accent Reduction class so you can elevate your communication skills and speak with confidence.
demonstrate an understanding of oral communication skills as evidenced by participation in discussion activities.
make use of knowledge of US American culture and customs as they pertain to oral communication.
Stating and comprehending biographical and family Information; stating plans for the future.
Describing one's current or future job; making cultural comparisons between native country and the US.
Discussing current events; polite disagreement.
Seeking out/giving advice; avoiding commitments; sympathizing with the problems of others.
Describing personal accomplishments; paraphrasing.
Taking and defending a stand on a current issue.
Comparing/contrasting humor in native country with humor in the US; identifying sarcasm and exaggeration.
Student presentations and feedback.
2.4
None
None
No
None
Textbook subject to change. Please click on DETAILS above to see the most up-to-date textbook requirement.
None
80% attendance
N/A
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who would like to improve their ability to participate effectively in social and professional discourse.
N/A
N/A
SEF-3001BQ2
SEF-3001BR2
SEF-3001HG2
COM-3711F2
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 317215 | 09/04/25 - 10/23/25 | BEC | 77.00 | 14 | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 317144 | 10/20/25 - 12/08/25 | Western Wake Campus | 77.00 | 13 | Register |
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
Improve their speaking and writing skills.
Gain confidence in their ability to produce clean, grammatically correct work.
Explore the basics of English grammar-like sentence structure and punctuation-as well as more sophisticated concepts-like logic and clarity.
Lesson 1 - Using Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives
The three most common parts of speech are nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. Learn how all types of pronouns are used in sentences, and explore how adjectives modify nouns and how to use them in your writing.
Lesson 2 - Using Verbs and Adverbs
There are three types of verbs: action verbs, linking verbs, and helping verbs. Each has a different use in a sentence. Take a look at action and linking verbs and review the basic types of verb tenses. Then, explore adverbs, and learn how to use both effectively in your writing.
Lesson 3 - Using Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections
This lesson focuses on the last three parts of speech: prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. Prepositions show relationships between nouns and pronouns. Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence. Finally, interjections are used to show feeling and emotion.
Lesson 4 - Capitalization and Punctuation
Learn to use some of the most common types of punctuation correctly and effectively. Understand use of end punctuation and explore the rules for colons, semicolons, quotations, apostrophes, and parenthesis.
Lesson 5 - Commas
More often than not, commas are used to indicate a brief pause. However, there are many different uses for the comma. Explore the various rules that govern comma usage in the English language while also learning how to use commas correctly and effectively in your writing.
Lesson 6 - Sentences
There are many different kinds of sentences in the English language: Declarative (makes a statement), Interrogative (asks a question), Imperative (issues a command), and Exclamatory (shows strong emotion). Finally, you will explore some common problems and pitfalls to avoid when writing sentences.
Lesson 7 - Plural and Possessive Words
Plural words refer to more than one; while, possessive words refer to nouns and pronouns and show ownership. Explore plural and possessive words and the rules you must follow to form them. You will also have plenty of opportunities to practice your new grammar skills.
Lesson 8 - Difficult and Confusing Words
There are many words that spell or sound similar yet have very different meanings. Explore these words and practice your new skills as you learn to avoid common pitfalls in your writing.
Lesson 9 - Phrases
Phrases are groups of words that have distinct meanings and perform certain functions within a sentence. There are different types of phrases, including prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, gerund phrases, adverb phrases, adjective phrases, infinitive phrases, participle phrases, and absolute phrases.
Lesson 10 - Agreement
Within the English language, parts of a sentence must agree in different ways. Explore subject / verb agreement, and see how using the correct conjunctions can correctly connect words or sentence parts together.
Lesson 11 - Common Sentence Problems
A sentence is a unit of thought, and each sentence must contain a subject and a verb to be complete. However, the three common sentence errors that writers often make: the run-on, the comma splice, and the fragment.
Lesson 12 - Becoming a Better Writer
The purpose of studying grammar is to improve your English speaking and writing skills. Put your grammar skills to work as you gain writing tips and opportunities to practice your writing skills.
2.4
None
None
No
This course teaches American English grammar. If you're an ESL student who isn't yet fluent in written and spoken English, please consider enrolling in Grammar for ESL Students.
Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
PC: Windows 8 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
None
90% attendance
• Students must successfully pass 10 quizzes with a minimum grade of 70% by the second quiz attempt.
• If all quizzes are not passed with 70 or better by the second attempt, the final exam score must be 70% or higher on the first attempt for successful completion.
• The Final Exam must be taken by the Wake Tech course end date.
N/A
If you are interested in developing your English grammar skills and taking your writing and speaking to the next level, this course is for you!
N/A
N/A
Non-Credit Online Learning https://ceonline.waketech.edu
919-532-5847
[email protected]
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
use multiple verb tenses appropriately.
be able to differentiate the nuances of meaning of a variety of sentence constructions.
identify and address needs specific to their own ability to use English to communicate in daily life.
Week 1: Orientation; parts of speech; parts of a sentence; speaking with prepositions; speaking with the correct verb tense; speaking with proper subject-verb agreement and pronoun reference.
Week 2: Forming questions and answering with ease.
Week 3: Conditional sentences.
Week 4: Gerunds and Infinitives.
Week 5: Forming and sharing opinions.
Week 6: What makes the difference between polite and impolite conversation in American English.
Week 7: Modal verbs and giving/receiving advice.
Week 8: Discussing Current Events.
2.4
None
None
No
None
Please check the details screen when registering for this class. Textbook assignments are subject to change.
None
80% attendance
Students are permitted to have two absences. Students who have more than two absences or who miss excessive amounts of class due to arriving late or leaving early are not eligible for a completion certificate.
N/A
Non-native English speakers who use English in their daily lives for work, school, and/or personal interaction.
N/A
N/A
SEF-3001CA2
SEF-3001CB2
SEF-3001BY2
SEF-3001BZ2
COM-3711F2
SEF-3001BR2
SEF-3001BQ2
SEF-3001HG2
COM-3711Z3
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 317143 | 10/16/25 - 12/11/25 | Western Wake Campus | 77.00 | 16 | Register |
|---|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
Demonstrate spoken proficiency with various language functions such as expressing opinions, discussing current events, re-telling complex events/stories, etc.
Make use of US American idiomatic expressions.
Apply knowledge of US American cultural norms in conversational discourse.
Biographical and family information.
Plans for the future.
Current or future employment.
Current events.
Polite disagreement.
Seeking out/giving advice.
Avoiding commitments.
Sympathizing with the problems of others.
Describing personal accomplishments.
Paraphrasing.
Taking and defending a stand on a current issue.
Humor.
Sarcasm and exaggeration.
US American idioms.
Speaking in front of a group.
Participating in or leading a meeting.
4.8
None
None
No
Before taking this class, students should be at an intermediate/high-intermediate level of English language proficiency. Students may have completed this level in programs in their country or they may have completed the ESL program at Wake Technical Community College or a similar program in the US.
Please click on the "DETAILS" button above for the most up-to-date textbook information.
None
80% attendance
N/A
This course is designed for non-native speakers of English who wish to practice speaking and listening in an interactive classroom setting. This class is taught at an advanced level. Students are expected to be using English for communicative purposes in employment and/or social settings on a daily basis.
N/A
N/A
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
be able to determine specific features of English pronunciation that will most improve their intelligibility.
demonstrate a higher level of intelligibility in their spoken English.
develop the necessary inner criteria for performing self-correction of issues that hinder their intelligibility.
Course introduction, review of syllables, syllable stress, vowel sounds in stressed syllables, the schwa in unstressed syllables, and vowel/consonant symbols. Students may be asked to submit recordings for needs assessment.
Voiced and unvoiced sounds, small-group communication, and phone messages.
Grammatical endings: -s/-es and -ed, linking sounds, short presentations or small group practice.
Common stress patterns in nouns, verbs, and numbers; relaying information to others in a variety of settings.
Stress in words with suffixes, multisyllabic words, communicating using words with stress-shifting suffixes.
Rhythm in phrases and sentences, specific types of words that are usually stressed or unstressed, short presentations or small group practice.
Dividing a stream of speech into thought groups and why this is vital for intelligibility, pausing, chunking; practice analyzing and marking thought groups; short presentations.
Focus words and how native English speakers signal focus words; contrasting information, emphasizing agreement, and correcting information; small group practice.
Distinguishing the meaning and use of rising and falling intonation at the end of a thought group, small group practice.
Linking words together in a thought group and identifying common sound changes when words are connected.
2.5
None
None
No
Students taking this course should be at an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency.
Text and supplies needed for this course are subject to change. Please review the registration details for textbook and technology requirements.
None.
90% attendance
N/A
This course is intended for non-native English speakers whose English proficiency is at an intermediate to advanced level. This course is appropriate for those needing to improve their English pronunciation for work, school, or for interacting socially.
N/A
N/A
COM-3711AE3
COM-3711AF3
COM-3711F2
COM-3711AG3
COM-3711Z3
Susan Shostak
919-334-1536
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 317204 | 09/02/25 - 10/21/25 | BEC | 77.00 | 20 |
Course Cancelled
|
|---|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
be able to use basic English grammar and vocabulary to talk about a wide variety of topics.
be able to demonstrate comprehension of basic reading and listening activities.
be able to write simple sentences using a variety of basic grammar and vocabulary.
Talking about self, family, pets, and possessions; using this/that/these/those; "I have" statements; numbers and colors.
Describing jobs; using "I am" statements; telling time; reading schedules for businesses and events.
Talking about routines; days of the week, simple present verb tense.
How to form negative statements and simple questions; asking and answering simple questions.
Describing places and things in our town; using "there is/there are."
7.2
None
None
No
Students taking this class should already be familiar with the English alphabet.
Instructional materials will be provided.
None needed.
80% attendance
N/A
This course is for beginning-level English language learners who are already familiar with the English alphabet.
N/A
N/A
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 313171 | 09/09/25 - 12/04/25 | Northern Wake Campus | 225.00 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 317696 | 09/15/25 - 12/12/25 | Western Wake Campus | 225.00 | 20 |
Course Cancelled
|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
be able to use basic English grammar and vocabulary to talk about a wide variety of topics.
be able to demonstrate comprehension of basic reading and listening activities.
be able to write simple sentences using a variety of basic grammar and vocabulary.
Review content covered in part 1 such as telling time; introducing self; forming negative statements; asking/answering simple questions; using "I have," "I am," and "there is/there are."
Using definite and indefinite articles.
Using the imperative to tell someone to do something, give a warning, or give directions.
Joining simple sentences with AND and BUT.
Using adjectives to give more information about people, places, and things.
Using BECAUSE to give reasons and to answer WHY questions.
Vocabulary for things around the house, using "I have" to talk about things we have in our homes.
Asking and answering questions that use the verb HAVE.
Vocabulary about food.
Countable and uncountable nouns, asking questions with "how many" and "how much."
7.2
None
None
No
Students taking this course should already be able to use English to introduce themselves. They should already know numbers, colors, days of the week, and some very simple statements and questions.
Information about the required course book and practice book will be sent to students before the class starts.
None.
80% attendance
N/A
This course is intended for beginner English language learners who already know some very basic things such as colors, numbers, simple sentences, and how to introduce themselves.
N/A
N/A
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 317142 | 09/08/25 - 12/03/25 | Northern Wake Campus | 198.00 | 10 | Register |
|---|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
By the end of this course, students will be able to use new vocabulary to talk about a variety of topics.
By the end of this course, students will be able to use grammatical structures to talk about things happening now and things that happened in the past.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe their feelings and moods, exceptions to their routines, their past abilities and their opinions.
Using the verb "to be," talking about yourself, using the present simple tense to talk about routines
Using the present continuous tense to describe what's happening now and to ask questions about activities happening now
Learning the difference between action verbs and state verbs and using them to talk about activities. Using adjectives of emotions to describe our feelings and moods.
Transportation vocabulary, talking about exceptions to our routines
Health-related vocabulary, describing health complaints
Talking about the weather, travel vocabulary, making comparisons
Using superlative adjectives to talk about extremes, vocabulary used to describe geographical features and animals
Using "which" and "what" to make and ask about choices, using large numbers
Talking about dates and using expressions such as "was born" and "ago," simple past of the verb "to be"
Talking about things we did in the past, using "could" to talk about past abilities, entertainment-related vocabulary
Past-simple irregular verbs, using "while" and "after" to show the sequence of events, vocabulary about tools
Using "about" to describe media and culture, using "because" to give a reason for why we like or don't like something
7.2
None
None
No
Students taking this class should have one of the following prerequisites:
1. Completed Beginning English for Non-Native Speakers, Part 1 and Part 2 at Wake Tech
2. Completed Level 1 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Be able to have a simple, basic conversation with a native speaker
Information about textbooks is posted in the course details.
N/A
80% attendance
N/A
This course is designed for students who have already studied English at the beginner level. Students taking this class should have one of the following prerequisites:
1. Completed Beginning English for Non-Native Speakers, Part 1 and Part 2 at Wake Tech
2. Completed Level 1 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Be able to have a simple, basic conversation with a native speaker
N/A
N/A
COM-3711PS2
COM-3711I2
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 318232 | 10/14/25 - 01/29/26 | Western Wake Campus | 198.00 | 19 | Register |
|---|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
By the end of the course, students will be able to use a range of descriptive language to give more detailed information about daily routines, people and places.
By the end of the course, students will be able to use a range of grammatical structures with some flexibility to express ideas more clearly and specifically, including the use of common prefixes, compound and complex sentences and phrasal verbs.
By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the main ideas and some supporting details in reading and listening passages and respond to related comprehension questions.
Introductions and greetings, making conversation with simple tag questions
Vocabulary related to countries and nationalities, prepositions of place, talking about where things are located
Using fractions, decimals and percentages to talk about numbers and amounts in conversation. Talking about precise times and dates in conversation
Vocabulary related to jobs and professions, learning the difference between "job" and "work," talking about your career
Vocabulary related to leisure activities, using adverbs of frequency to talk about routines and how often things happen
Using phrasal verbs such as "get up," "work out" and "check into" to talk about common, everyday activities in work and leisure
Vocabulary related to the human body and physical appearance, adjective order, describing people in detail
Learning about words that are often used together (collocations) such as "make the bed," "mow the lawn," do the laundry," etc. Using common collocations to talk about routines and household chores.
Using modifiers such as "a lot," "a bit," "slightly" and "much" in comparisons, vocabulary related to geographical terms, describing and comparing places
Using adjectives with "-ing" and "-ed" endings to describe feelings, emotions, likes and dislikes
Vocabulary related to family, parenting and childhood, using "did" for emphasis
Vocabulary related to education and studying, changing the meaning of words by adding prefixes and suffixes
7.2
None
None
No
Before taking this class, students should have at least one of the following:
1. Completed Beginning English Part 1 and Part 2, completed High Beginning English Part 1 and Part 2
2. Completed Level 2 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Information about textbooks is included in the course details.
N/A
80% attendance
N/A
This course is designed for students who are ready to study English at the intermediate level.
Students taking this class should have at least one of the following:
1. Completed Beginning English Part 1 and Part 2, completed High Beginning English Part 1 and Part 2
2. Completed Level 3 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
N/A
N/A
COM-3711PS2
COM-3711I2
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | 318172 | 10/14/25 - 01/29/26 | Western Wake Campus | 198.00 | 20 | Register |
|---|
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
By the end of this course, students will be able to use a variety of vocabulary and grammar to talk about real-world situations and topics related to work, school and social situations.
By the end of the course, students will be able to produce extended spoken and written narratives using a variety of verb tenses to describe past events, hypothetical scenarios and future possibilities.
By the end of the course, students will be able to apply advanced grammatical structures to give advice, make predictions and participate in discussions.
By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate effective communication strategies in job interviews, meetings and presentations through role plays and structured speaking tasks.
Making conversation with tag questions, using action and stative verbs to talk about our lives
Incorporating collocations, complex adjectives and generalizations into everyday conversation
Vocabulary related to travel and tourism, using narrative tenses to tell a story
Giving advice and making predictions
Vocabulary related to family and relationships; communicating cause/effect, emphasis, contrast and comparison
Talking about past habits and states; using "as...as" to compare and contrast quantities and qualities of people, places and things
Vocabulary related to education and studying, expressions used to describe approximate quantities
Using the passive voice to change emphasis, expressions used to talk about hypothetical situations
Vocabulary and expressions used to talk about employment
Complex verb patterns: verb + infinitive, verb + gerund
Direct and indirect objects
Vocabulary and expressions for participating in meetings and making presentations
7.2
None
None
No
Before taking this course, students should have at least ONE of the following:
1. Completed Beginning, High Beginning and Intermediate courses in the English for Non-Native Speakers series at Wake Tech
2. Completed Level 4 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Be able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Information about textbooks is included in the course details.
N/A
80% attendance
N/A
Before taking this course, students should have at least ONE of the following:
1. Completed Beginning, High Beginning and Intermediate courses in the English for Non-Native Speakers series at Wake Tech.
2. Completed Level 4 ESL at Wake Tech
3. Be able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
N/A
N/A
COM-3711PS2
COM-3711I2
Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech's Notify Me service.