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English for Non-Native Speakers

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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:

  • Beginning English for Non-Native Speakers – Designed for those with little or no English experience, these courses build a strong foundation in essential grammar, vocabulary and conversation skills. Courses available: Parts 1, 2 and 3.
  • Beyond the Basics: Advanced English for Non-Native Speakers – For students who already have a foundation in English, these courses focus on refining language skills for complex conversations and professional settings. Courses available: Conversation & Fluency, Grammar and Pronunciation.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Classes begin throughout the year and do not necessarily follow a semester schedule.

If the class you would like to take is not available, click the "Notify me when offered" button to register your email address. You will be notified as soon as a section of that class becomes available.

Yes. Taking a class with a different instructor can provide a different type of practice with a different type of content. Repeating a class to further develop a particular skill is a smart idea.

Students must be at least 16 years old on the first day of class. Students under 18 must register in person.

Beyond the Basics Courses

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Conversation and Fluency

  • Course ID: COM-3711Z3
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Find the tools and techniques you need to participate with confidence in English conversation across a variety of real-life scenarios. Through immersive activities, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, students will develop the fluency, vocabulary, and cultural awareness necessary to communicate in a wide variety of situations. Lessons focus on topics such as idiomatic expressions, expressing opinions, interacting in culturally appropriate ways, giving advice, and the use of humor. Are you looking for a fun, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere to practice English conversation? This is the place!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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.


Contact Hours

24

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

None

Text and Supplies Needed

Textbook subject to change. Please click on DETAILS above to see the most up-to-date textbook requirement.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

This course is designed for non-native English speakers who would like to improve their ability to participate effectively in social and professional discourse.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

SEF-3001BQ2

SEF-3001BR2

SEF-3001HG2

COM-3711F2


Course Contact Information

Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]

Current Opportunities
Details Section Date(s) Location Price Seats  
312621 07/10/25 - 08/28/25 BEC 77.00 20 Register

If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Grammar Refresher

  • Course ID: COM-3711HE
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Develop your English grammar skills and take your writing and speaking to the next level of excellence in this course. This course explores the eight parts of speech, punctuation and mechanics, and foundational sentence construction. You will learn about phrases, clauses, problem words, common grammar mistakes, and much more through practical, hands-on exercises. You will also learn through short videos, examples, and even fun games. Take your writing and speaking to the next level of excellence!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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.


Contact Hours

24

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

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.

Text and Supplies Needed

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.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

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."

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

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!

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Non-Credit Online Learning http://ceonline.waketech.edu
919-532-5847
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Grammar in Conversation for Non-Native English Speakers

  • Course ID: COM-3711AE3
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Whether you are making a presentation, interviewing for a job, or participating in a meeting, appropriate and accurate English grammar makes a big difference in spoken communication. This course has been designed especially to help non-native English speakers learn how to speak with clarity and precision. Lessons will focus on topics such as mixing verb tenses in spoken English, question types and responses, reported speech, and conditional sentences. If you are looking for a friendly and supportive place to continue developing your English proficiency, this is the class for you!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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.


Contact Hours

24

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

None

Text and Supplies Needed

Please check the details screen when registering for this class. Textbook assignments are subject to change.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

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."

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Non-native English speakers who use English in their daily lives for work, school, and/or personal interaction.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

SEF-3001CA2

SEF-3001CB2

SEF-3001BY2

SEF-3001BZ2

COM-3711F2

SEF-3001BR2

SEF-3001BQ2

SEF-3001HG2

COM-3711Z3


Course Contact Information

Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Conversation and Fluency Extended

  • Course ID: COM-3711AG3
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Find the tools and techniques you need to participate with confidence in English conversation across a variety of real-life scenarios. Through immersive activities, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, students will develop the fluency, vocabulary, and cultural awareness necessary to communicate in a wide variety of situations. Lessons focus on topics such as idiomatic expressions, expressing opinions, interacting in culturally appropriate ways, giving advice, and the use of humor. Are you looking for a fun, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere to practice English conversation? This is the place!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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.


Contact Hours

48

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

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.

Text and Supplies Needed

Please click on the "DETAILS" button above for the most up-to-date textbook information.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

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.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Community & Career Education Staff
919-532-5700
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Beyond the Basics: Pronunciation for Non-Native English Speakers

  • Course ID: COM-3711AH3
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Gain the confidence and proficiency you need to communicate effectively in English, both professionally and socially. Whether for academic pursuits, business interactions, or everyday conversations, students will improve their ability to pronounce English with clarity and accuracy. Topics such as word stress, rhythm, and intonation are presented in relevant, real-world contexts and include ample opportunity for practice and feedback.

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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.


Contact Hours

25

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

Students taking this course should be at an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency.

Text and Supplies Needed

Text and supplies needed for this course are subject to change. Please review the registration details for textbook and technology requirements.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None.

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

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.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

COM-3711AE3

COM-3711AF3

COM-3711F2

COM-3711AG3

COM-3711Z3


Course Contact Information

Susan Shostak
919-334-1536
[email protected]

Current Opportunities
Details Section Date(s) Location Price Seats  
312620 07/08/25 - 08/26/25 BEC 77.00 18 Register

If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Beginning English for Non-Native Speakers Part 1

  • Course ID: COM-3711PS2
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
Designed especially for beginning-level English language learners, this course will help you learn how to communicate in everyday situations. Students will practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the beginner level, and learn basic English vocabulary for a variety of topics. Classes are fun and interesting, and the teachers are friendly and supportive. This is a good place to start learning English!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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."


Contact Hours

72

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

Students taking this class should already be familiar with the English alphabet.

Text and Supplies Needed

Instructional materials will be provided.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None needed.

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

This course is for beginning-level English language learners who are already familiar with the English alphabet.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Susan Shostak
919-334-1536
[email protected]

No active courses available at this time.

To be notified when this course becomes available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

Beginning English for Non-Native Speakers Part 2

  • Course ID: COM-3711I2
  • Overview
  • Course Outline
  • Requirements
  • Intended Audience
  • More Details
For beginning students who want to continue learning English, this course will help you improve your English skills. You will practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening with more confidence. We will also learn new vocabulary and phrases for everyday conversations. The classes are fun, and the teachers will help you every step of the way. Keep building your English skills here!

Course Objectives

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.


Outline of instruction

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."


Contact Hours

72

CEUs

1

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

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.

Text and Supplies Needed

Information about the required course book and practice book will be sent to students before the class starts.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None.

Requirements for Successful Completion

80% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

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.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

COM-3711PS2


Course Contact Information

Susan Shostak
919-334-1536
[email protected]

Current Opportunities
Details Section Date(s) Location Price Seats  
310642 06/10/25 - 08/28/25 Western Wake Campus 198.00 7 Register

If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.

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