Adult Education and ESL
Build your skills and confidence in dozens of classes made just for you!
SCC's non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship, High School Equivalency (HSE), literacy, and integrated training (IET) programs help adult students become proficient in English and math to prepare them for a high school equivalency test (HiSET®️ or GED®️), college, or the workforce. To enroll, students must be 17+ years old, not enrolled in high school, have a Missouri address, and not be in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa.
Registration for the 2025-2026 academic year opens in August.
Classes require identity documents. Please be prepared when attending registration for any class.
Contact Information
Adult Education & ESL
Schnare Library (3-SL) 209
636-922-8411
ael@stchas.edu
Non-Credit English as a Second Language
High School Equivalency (HSE)
Our ESL classes help non-native speakers improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. Focusing on conversational skills as well as workplace literacy, we also offer specialty classes, citizenship, American culture, pronunciation, and healthcare. Students of all levels will find classes to suit their needs.
ESL classes are offered at no cost. Morning and evening classes are available.
Our HSE classes develop basic reading, writing, and math skills to prepare students for a High School Equivalency Test (HiSET® or GED®) and improve academic skills for college readiness and career advancement. 16-year-olds may enroll if they meet the elegibility requirements outlined below.
HSE classes are offered at no cost. Morning and evening classes are available.
Focus Forward Math
Integrated Education & Training
Are you struggling to test into MAT 096 and beyond? Our program will help you move up the math ladder. We offer a hands-on, personalized curriculum to help you overcome obstacles that have kept you from succeeding in the past.
This course is offered at no cost.
Students looking to build essential academic skills while working toward an industry credential should enroll in our Adult Education & Literacy program. We combine instruction in English and math with workforce training to prepare students to become certified.
Course Offerings
All ESL students must attend an in-person, 4 hour ESL enrollment session to determine level and class schedule before beginning classes. You can enroll in morning and/or evening classes at any enrollment session. Students should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time; no late arrivals will be permitted.
Morning Registration:
March 10, 2026, 9 a.m. - Noon
Evening Registration:
March 12, 2026, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Class sessions are 9 weeks long with the chance to continue if desired.
Please note: Some classes require identity documents. Please be prepared when attending registration for any class. Children are not permitted in Adult Education enrollment sessions or classes.
Morning Classes:
Mon | Wed: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tue | Thu: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Evening Classes:
Mon | Wed: 6 - 9 p.m.
Tue | Thu: 6 - 9 p.m.
Virtual Classes will be Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and Friday afternoons. Seats are limited.
To enroll in a specialized ESL course, students must be currently enrolled in a standard ESL class. (See enrollment information above.) There may be minimum English levels required to enroll.
Get to Know the USA: The Road to Citizenship
Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (virtual)
This class offers an overview of the history, geography, customs, traditions, holidays,
government, and ways of life in the U.S. Open to all levels of ESL students, the course
addresses the 100 questions on the U.S. Citizenship Test and prepares prospective
citizens to take the test in the future. This course covers all aspects of the process
of naturalization, including eligibility requirements, documents, and application
forms. Students will participate in mock interviews and citizenship practice tests.
Pronunciation
Friday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (virtual)
Students practice advanced pronunciation techniques focusing on articulation of blends
and sounds unique to the English language. Students will also learn the origins of
English words while expanding their English vocabulary.
Writing
Tuesday, 6-9 p.m. (virtual)
Through in-depth instruction and focused practice, students practice advanced writing
conventions and grammar specific to the English language.
Integrated Education & Training Classes (IET)
Paraprofessional/Substitute Teacher Training
This course prepares individuals to serve as substitute teachers and paraprofessionals in K-12 educational settings. Participants will learn foundational skills in classroom management, communication, instructional strategies, and educational technology. Additionally, the course provides insights into special education, legal considerations, professional ethics, and trauma-informed approaches. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have met the DESE-approved substitute teacher training requirement needed to apply for a Missouri Content Substitute Certificate and will be prepared to take and pass the ParaPro Exam.
Customer/Guest Services
Customer Service Gold is a comprehensive, industry-recognized training curriculum designed to equip hospitality staff with skills to improve guest experiences, service consistency, and problem-solving abilities. It leads to the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) designation, emphasizing empathy, anticipation of needs, and professionalism.
All HSE students must attend one in-person, 3 hour enrollment session for orientation and assessment to determine HSE readiness and build an individual learning plan. Appointments are not necessary. Sessions are held at SCC's Main Campus and additional locations listed below. Please arrive on time. Late entries are not allowed.
See our HSE Enrollment Schedule
Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Students are expected to attend both sessions each week.
HSE classes are offered in-person and virtually, subject to availability.
Classes require identification documents. Please be prepared when attending registration for any class.
Morning Registration:
March 9, 2026, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Evening Registration:
March 10, 2026, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Troy Registration:
March 11, 2026, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
2025-2026 HSE Class Schedule and Locations:
Enrollment dates for each location
In-person classes will be held at all campuses, but not all locations will have both morning and evening classes.
2025-2026 HSE Class Locations
St. Charles Community College
Schnare Library, 2nd Floor
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Cottleville, MO 63376
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
200 Academic Way
Troy, MO 63379
Missouri Job Center
23757 Harry S. Truman Blvd.
St. Charles, MO 63301
Public school students who are 16 years old and have earned 16 high school credits may enroll in HSE classes. You must provide the following documents to enroll:
- Students are not admitted without a letter from your previous high school stating the date you withdrew
- A transcript or other official verification from your high school confirming you successfully completed 16 credits of high school work
Homeschooled students who are 16 years old and have earned at least 1000 hours of high school-level home education must meet the requirements of 167.031 RSMo for course instruction and have written permission of your parent or legal guardian indicating compliance.
Monday and Wednesday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | SCC Main Campus
Build a foundation to master math! Students work in small groups to master the topics
they need. Topics Include:
- Basic arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide whole numbers)
- Fractions, decimals, & percents
- Integer operations (negative numbers)
- Word problems
- Algebra
- Geometry
Students must register prior to attending, but cost is free.
For more information, email Patty Boxdorfer or text at 314-635-8648.
To enroll in IET classes, students must also be enrolled in a free English as a Second Language or High School Equivalency course.
View Enrollment information for ESL and HSE classes classes is listed above.
IET programs may have a tuition charge. Tuition assistance may be available.
Paraprofessional/Substitute Teacher Training
This course prepares individuals to serve as substitute teachers and paraprofessionals in K-12 educational settings. Participants will learn foundational skills in classroom management, communication, instructional strategies, and educational technology. Additionally, the course provides insights into special education, legal considerations, professional ethics, and trauma-informed approaches. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have met the DESE-approved substitute teacher training requirement needed to apply for a Missouri Content Substitute Certificate and will be prepared to take and pass the ParaPro Exam.
Customer/Guest Services
Customer Service Gold is a comprehensive, industry-recognized training curriculum designed to equip hospitality staff with skills to improve guest experiences, service consistency, and problem-solving abilities. It leads to the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) designation, emphasizing empathy, anticipation of needs, and professionalism.
Advanced English Preparation
This is an English course that combines language learning with COL 101 coursework. This class prepares non-native speakers to be prepared for academic, credit-based learning.
Advanced Healthcare Preparation
A language course that addresses vocabulary and healthcare concepts for the non-native English learner. This course combines COL 101 with healthcare topics and instruction to prepare students for healthcare based academics or careers.
Classes meet twice per week (TBD).
Interested students should contact Lindsay Woods via email or by text at 636-362-6545.
Volunteer with us!
Would you like to help high school equivalency students with basic reading, writing and math skills? Or would you like to assist classroom instructors in teaching adult students in non-credit English classes to speak, read, understand, and write English? Our volunteers typically help during one 3-hour class session per week, and are invaluable to our program! No experience needed. Training is provided.
To volunteer with HSE classes, contact us: ael@stchas.edu | 636-922-8411.
To volunteer with ESL classes, contact Ingrid Casillo: icasillo@stchas.edu | 636-922-8227.