English for Speakers of Other Languages

The orientations are held in various locations around Cuyahoga County. View possible orientation locations. 

If you do not see any available orientation dates, please call your local office for more information. 

We do not offer virtual orientations at this time.

The orientation dates and times are listed above. We have orientations to fit various work schedules. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for the orientation and attend for three hours.  

Orientation lasts about three hours, and you will need to stay until you have completed your testing. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early and stay for the entire three hours. 

Our classes are provided at no cost through an Aspire grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

The orientation introduces you to the program. You will fill out a registration form and take a test for your English skills in speaking, reading, writing and listening.  

This isn’t the kind of test you can study for, and you should not worry about taking it. This test just helps us determine your skill level, so we know what kind of classwork to give you on your first day. The test may take up to three hours, but some people finish earlier. For the best results, you should not rush. 

Following the orientation and completion of the test, students will be given a list of possible class assignments.  

Our orientations and testing are fully in English because our classes are taught fully in English. You will be able to use a translation app for registration forms.

You need to know your current address, phone number and social security number to include on the registration form. 

Bring your official documents that show your legal name (in English) and social security number if you have it.  

We have ongoing classes. Students may be able to start going to class soon after they finish the orientation or may need to wait for a week until classes begin.

Reach out to our staff to determine your status in our program. If you have been out of our program for longer than 90 days, you will likely need to retake the orientation and then you can pick up where you left off.

You can still sign up with Ohio Options for Adults' free English classes if you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. We can help you earn your High School Equivalency (GED®/HiSET) diploma after you increase your English abilities.

Our program takes students without needing student visas, work visas or any immigration status or official documentation.  

We are unable to offer student visas or assistance with immigration. We recommend you reach out to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland for assistance.

Our program has a long history of helping students with their English skills and helping them transition to life in America. Becoming a student with Tri-C Ohio Options for Adults makes you eligible to get a student ID, which allows you to access the food pantries, gym, counseling, tutoring and student grants available at Tri-C.