English for Speakers of Other Languages
Northeast Iowa Community College offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Our mission is to improve students' English language skills to help them successfully develop personally and academically.
Classes are designed to improve fluency in reading, speaking and writing, while also incorporating a variety of other subjects including American traditions and culture.
Classes and registration are completely free of charge!
Enrollment and Orientation
The enrollment process takes about three hours. During this time, you will:
- Provide a government issued photo ID
- Complete enrollment forms
- Take a pre-test in both Reading and Listening, which help determine which class level you should be placed in.
Enrollment may be completed at the following locations:
Interested in English classes? Please complete this Class Offerings Survey!
Participation Options
- Online: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level classes are held in the evening over Zoom (the days and times vary depending on the class).
- In-Person: Multi-Level class is held at the Dubuque Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- In-Person: Multi-Level class is held at the Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center in Postville on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Study Online: Students are also given access to online learning tools, such as Burlington English, to learn outside of class time.
Enrollment is available at all locations on a managed basis. See below for enrollment dates. An appointment must be schedule at least one week prior to the first day of the upcoming enrollment period.
| Enrollment & Orientation Dates |
|---|
| January 5 - 8, 2026 |
| March 2 - 5, 2026 |
Please be aware that Dubuque parking is metered. However, if you park in the 5th Street Parking Ramp and bring us your ticket, we can put a validation sticker on it that will cover the cost when you're ready to leave for the day.
To schedule enrollment, please call or email:
Adult Education & Literacy
563.562.3263, ext. 3600
ael@nicc.edu
Meet Our Staff
Korinne Hollis
ESOL/IELCE Instructor
Dubuque Center/Online
563.562.3263, ext. 3135
563.275.2961 (text only)
hollisk@nicc.edu
"My name is Korinne Hollis and I am a teacher for English Language Learners at NICC. I have taught French and English for twenty years in Illinois and Iowa. I am fluent in French and can navigate the Spanish language. I have lived in France and enjoy languages and culture. I enjoy working with students, helping improve their ability with a new language and being part of the support system for our non-native English speaking community."
Kara Dodds
ESOL Instructor
Dubuque Center/Online
doddska@nicc.edu
"My name is Kara Dodds. I am one of NICC's ESOL instructors and I teach 2 classes: the in-person Multi-Level English class and the Zoom Advanced English class. I get to teach adults in Northeast Iowa who are wanting to learn and increase their use of the English language. I have a Masters Degree in Teaching and have over 20 years of experience, but most recently was an ESOL teacher for Dubuque Community Schools. Teaching adults has been a fun change and I enjoy helping my students feel more comfortable using English. In addition, I get to meet people from all over the world who teach me about their cultures...pretty incredible!"
Maria Huq
ESOL Instructor
huqm@nicc.edu
"My name is Maria Huq, and I proudly serve as an ESOL instructor at NICC. For more than a decade, I worked as a corporate trainer, nurturing a wealth of experience in adult learning and professional development. Additionally, I have the joy of teaching at the elementary and middle school levels, which has greatly enriched my understanding of the diverse learning needs that vary across age groups. As someone who has navigated the path of a non-native English speaker, I empathize deeply with the challenges that learners encounter, especially when it comes to the intricacies and irregularities of the English language. This personal insight empowers me to foresee common challenges and create clear, supportive instruction that effectively reduces obstacles. Many of my students are immigrants filled with strong aspirations, and I take immense pride in being a source of support as they strive to achieve their dreams and construct a successful future."
Russell Bahl
Success Coordinator / Project Manager
563.562.3263, ext. 3107
563.275.2684 (text only)
bahlr25104@nicc.edu
"My name is Russell Bahl and I took an unconventional path toward working in Education. Having held numerous roles from Technician to Engineer, predominantly in the R&D and Manufacturing of Medical Devices, I always found myself longing for a more direct and positive impact on society. I came back to my hometown of Dubuque and began my journey in Adult Education at NICC in 2018, and never looked back. Aside from the Data and Policy portion of my current position, I really enjoy getting to know our students and understanding their barriers on a personal level while using the "outside the box" mindset I developed during my past career to find new and more efficient ways to serve our community."
Contact Us
Adult Education and Literacy
563.562.3263, ext. 3600
ael@nicc.edu
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
