Resources for Newcomers to Maryland, Virginia, D.C.
John Ozlu, ATA-DC - Below are three jurisdictions in the Washington metropolitan area that offer English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for adults at a nominal fee. Minors can receive ESL courses through the public school systems in any jurisdiction that they reside.

Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County offers ESL adult courses beginning in January, March, June, and September. Applicants must take a placement test before enrolling in the class. Placement tests are usually administered three to four weeks before class begins. The fee for 12 weeks of classes/6 hours per week is $190. Interested parties should contact:
Department of Adult Education, 2801 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 - Tel: 703-228-7200

Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County offers ESL courses for adults at designated high schools throughout the county. The fee is $198 for non-Fairfax County residents or non-U.S. permanent residents. If the applicant is a U.S. permanent resident and a Fairfax County resident, the fee is $48 for a 12 week/3 hours per week course. Placement tests are required. Please contact below for times and locations. Adult Education - Tel: 703-714-5560 or 703-536-2048

Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County offers ESL courses for adults four times a year in January, April, July, and October. Placement tests are required. The basic course for 12 weeks is free, and the advanced 16 week course is $50. Only Montgomery County residency is required for the fees stated. Please contact below for more information and registration: Adult Education, 12518 Greenly Street, Silver Spring, MD 20906 - Tel: 301-929-2025 -Webpage: www.mcps.k12.md.us\adulted

District of Columbia
Unfortunately, the District of Columbia no longer offers ESL courses for adults. However, anyone residing in DC can apply to the other jurisdictions above and pay usually double the fee of residents of that jurisdiction. In Arlington County the fee is the same $190 for either residents or non-residents.

Temporary Housing
Anyone who needs temporary housing in Washington, DC and who lives at least 50 miles away from DC may obtain a stay of not more than 14 days (in a six month period) at the Hostelling International in Washington, DC. It only costs $29 per day per person, double occupancy required. Because Hostelling International is a non-profit organization, no taxes are applied to the rate. Therefore, the final cost is only $29 per day per person.

This is probably the best rate in town. I have been told by the hostel manager that if a major event such as the Peace March is not happening, same day accommodations are usually available. The capacity of the hostel is 270 guests, but they also have other accommodations in Adams-Morgan and Capitol Hill. The rooms are furnished with bunk beds and without televisions. The bathrooms and showers are shared in common areas on each floor. Washing machines and dryers are also available. Please contact below for more information and reservations: Hostelling International--Washington, DC 1009 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 - Tel: 202-737-2333, Fax: 202-737-1508, Email:reserve@hiwashingtondc.org, Webpage: www.hiwashingtondc.org