Related Information

ESL Placement

When you apply for the college, you will complete the online ESL Guided Self-Placement. This will tell you which level is right for you. 

 

You must register for classes at your placement level. If you register for classes below your placement level, you will not receive financial aid. 

 

Please review your recommended level below. 

 

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Level 1 - ESL 078

There are two classes in Level 1:

ESL 078 (6 units)

ESL 078R (6 units)

 

  • Students in ESL 078 and 078R learn to answer questions like these:
    • What’s your name?
    • Where are you from?
    • What is your favorite color?
  • This level does not teach grammar rules.
  • Students enter this course at the CEFR A0 or A1 levels.

 

Watch the short video below from an ESL 078 class.

 

Level 2 - ESL 088

There are three classes in Level 2.

 

ESL 088 - Literacy and Communication (6 units)

ESL 088R - Reading (3 units)

ESL 088L - Listening (3 units)

 

  • With help from the instructor, students in ESL 088 read articles like this one:
  • Every week, students write for 10 minutes in English.
  • Every week, students read chapters from short books in English. These books are written for English language learners, and they are usually shorter than 50 pages.
  • This level only teaches a little grammar.
  • Students enter this course at the CEFR A2 level.

 

Watch the short video below from an ESL 088 class.

 

Level 3 - ESL 098

There are three classes in Level 3. Students who take all three classes take 12 units. 

 

ESL 098 - Introduction to Academic English (6 units)

ESL 098G - Grammar (3 units)

ESL 098P - Pronunciation (3 units)

 

  • With help from the instructor, students in ESL 098 read articles like this one:
  • With help from the instructor, students interview classmates in English and write about their classmates.
  • With help from the instructor, students write many assignments that are about one page long. 
  • With help from the instructor, students might read biographies in English that are written for native English speaking 8 to 10 year olds. These biographies are usually a little longer than 100 pages. These are some examples of novels that might be used in ESL 105:
  • Students might give 5 minute presentations in front of their class.
  • This level teaches some basic grammar rules. These grammar rules will not help advanced or high-intermediate students.  
  • Students enter this course at the CEFR B1.1 level.

 

 

Watch the short video below from an ESL 098 class.

 

 

Level 4 - ESL 105

ESL 105 - Rhetoric for Academic Success (6 units)

 

  • Students in ESL 105 are ready to take classes other than English language classes.
  • With help from the instructor, students read articles like this one:
  • With help from the instructor, students write assignments that are 1 typed page or longer in English.
  • With help from the instructor, students might read books in English that are written for native English speaking teens. These books are usually shorter than 200 pages. These are some examples of novels that might be used in ESL 105:
  • Students usually enter this course at the low end of CEFR B1.2 level.

 

Watch the short video below from an ESL 105 class.

 

Level 5 - ESL 115

ESL 115 - Academic Discourse through US Cultures (6 units)

 

  • This course earns General Education (GC) credit in the humanities.
  • Students in ESL 115 are ready to take classes other than English language classes. 
  • With help from the instructor, students at this level read articles like this one:
  • With help from the instructor, students write academic summaries of articles like the one above.
  • With help from the instructor, students in ESL 115 write assignments that are about 2 typed pages or longer in English.
  • With help from the instructor, students might read novels in English that are written for native English speaking adults. These novels are usually longer than 300 pages. These are some examples of novels that might be used in ESL 115:
  • Students usually enter this course at the high end of CEFR B1.2 level.

 

Watch the short video below from an ESL 115 class.

 

Level 6 - ESL 122

ESL 122 - College Rhetoric (6 units) 


  • This is a transfer level writing class. It is the same as ENG 120, but it is designed for students who are not native English speakers.
  • Students in ESL 122 are ready to take classes other than English language classes. 
  • With help from the instructor, students at this level read articles like this one:
  • With help from the instructor, students conduct library research and write a research assignment of 3 or more typed pages in English.
  • With help from the instructor, students might read novels in English that are written for native English speaking adults. These novels are usually around 300 pages. These are some examples of novels that might be used in ESL 122:
  • Students enter this course at the CEFR B2 or C1 level.

 

 

There is no video for ESL 122 at this time.

 

Questions or a Change of Level?

For questions or to change your level, contact the ESL department chair,  mark.poupard@gcccd.edu