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English as a Second Language Students (ESL)

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The Placement Process 

All students who want to join the ESL program need to have an ESL Assessment appointment. You must submit the college application first and receive your student ID number (W number) before you can sign up for the ESL Assessment appointment (below). It will take about 2 hours. At the appointment, you will determine your English level and learn about the ESL program and the classes you can take. 
See the ESL Homepage for more info.

 

All ESL assessments are offered in-person on campus.

Appointments fill up quickly. If no appointments appear, please check back regularly as new appointments become available each week.

  • Your 2-hour appointment will be on campus in the New Student Support Center, Building 700, Room 714A. 
  • Please arrive 10 minutes early. 
  • Please bring your photo ID. 

Schedule your ESL placement appointment on campus

If the class seems too difficult, you can move down a level during the add/drop period (usually the first 2 weeks of classes). You do not need permission to move down a level.  

In the first week of classes, your teacher will give you a diagnostic test. If you think the class is too easy or too hard, speak to your teacher. With approval from 2 ESL teachers on your diagnostic, you can move up a class level during the add/drop period.

All graduates of U.S. high schools have the right to take transfer-level English (English 1). Even if you take ESL classes, you can change your mind and enroll in English 1 at any point. 

All English language learners have the right to take credit ESL classes. That means you can enroll in ESL 110A even if your placement test recommendation is Noncredit ESL or Adult School. This is just a recommendation.

After your placement appointment, the next step is to register for classes. You can register any time after your priority registration date.