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Lee University to Offer Community ESL Courses

by Maysie Stewart

Cleveland, TN (09/03/2026) — Lee University's Department of Language and Literature will offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the community through its Center for English Language and Literacy (CELL). The program offers literacy classes focusing on reading and writing, as well as English conversation classes. Classes will begin Thursday, Sept. 10, and will meet every Thursday evening for 10 weeks.

CELL offers five levels of conversation classes for learners at all levels of English proficiency, ranging from beginners with little or no prior English instruction to advanced English speakers. Childcare for children ages 1-6 and English language instruction for children ages 7-12 will also be provided. Trained Lee students will lead age-appropriate English lessons and activities for the older children.

CELL is led by Dr. Chris Blake, professor of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and linguistics and coordinator of Lee's TESOL program. The English classes are taught by Lee student instructors who have received professional training through the TESOL program.

"This year marks the 15th anniversary of CELL, and it has been a wonderful privilege to offer these courses to our community," said Blake. "We love seeing people of all ages and backgrounds attending classes each week-from young children to grandparents. Their motivation and perseverance are truly inspiring. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the First Horizon Foundation and the Athens Federal Foundation, whose support makes all of this possible."

All classes will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Walker Memorial Building on Lee's campus. Signs will direct participants to the appropriate rooms.

For more information or to register for classes, visit leecell.org, email Blake at cblake@leeuniversity.edu, or call (423) 614-8223.

Media Attachments

Lee University student McKenzie McLeod teaches an English as a Second Language (ESL) class through the university’s Center for English Language and Literacy (CELL).

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