ESL Placement
Which level is right for you? 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. Your first step is to watch the video below for directions for the ESL Guided Self-Placement. If you disagree with the results of your placement, go to Steps 2 and 3. Then contact the ESL Department Chair, Mark Poupard -- mark.poupard@gcccd.edu.
1 - Watch this video.
The video has Instructions for the ESL Guided Self- Placement.
2 - Read the statements below your level.
- Open the chart here and review the statements at your level.
- If you agree with all 5 of the statements for that level, you might be at the correct level or you might be too low. Go one level higher and read the statements.
- If you agree with 3 or 4 of the statements for a level, you should be at the right level.
- If you agree with 0, 1, or 2 of the statements, go to a lower level and repeat these steps.
- If you are still not sure if you are at the correct level, go to Step 3 below.
3 - Review the Videos and Readings below.
Watch the short video from a class at that level and others near it. Read the reading from those levels. Read the description of those levels. Which level do you think is best for you?
Students who take Level 1 classes do not speak English, or they only speak a little English. Students do not study grammar in Level 1.
There are two classes in Level 1. They are ESL 078 and ESL 078R. Each class is 6 units. Students need to successfully complete both classes before they can move to Level 2 - ESL 088.
There is no reading from this level. This level is for students who speak no English or almost no English.
1. Watch the short video below from an ESL 078 class.
There are three classes in Level 2. Students who take all three classes take 12 units.
ESL 088 - Literacy and Communication (6 units)
ESL 088R - Reading (3 units)
ESL 088L - Listening (3 units)
In ESL 088, students focus on reading and listening. They also do a lot of speaking and some writing. Students learn some grammar, but only when it is necessary.
In ESL 088R, students focus on reading and vocabulary development. There is also a lot of speaking, listening, and some writing.
In ESL 088L, students focus on listening and speaking. There is also some reading
and writing.
1. Click here to read a reading from ESL 088.
2. Watch the short video below from an ESL 088 class.
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)
In ESL 098, students focus on the interaction between reading, listening, speaking, and writing in the students’ development of academic English. Students also learn some grammar, but only when it is necessary.
In ESL 098G, students study English grammar. They also do a lot of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
In ESL 098P, students focus on the sounds of English. They do a lot of speaking and listening.
1. Click here to read a reading from an ESL 098 class.
2. Watch the short video below from an ESL 098 class.
ESL 105 - Rhetoric for Academic Success (6 units)
There is only one course in Level 4. ESL 105 focuses on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and other skills that are necessary for a college student.
ESL 105 is 6 units. This means that students at this level have adequate English language skills to take other classes. If students want 12 units, they also need to take classes that are not ESL classes. If you take ESL 105, please talk to a counselor. The counselor will help you determine which classes you should take with ESL 105.
1. Click here to read a reading from an ESL 105 class.
2. Watch the short video below from an ESL 105 class.
ESL 115 - Academic Discourse through US Cultures (6 units)
There is only one course in Level 5. This humanities course uses content from US cultures as a vehicle to teach English language skills including reading, writing, speaking and listening. Taking this class helps you with your academic English language development, it helps you learn about American cultures and reflect on your own and other cultures, and it helps you meet your graduation requirements.
ESL 115 is 6 units. If you are an ESL 115 student and you want 12 units, you need to speak to a counselor. The counselor will help you determine which classes you should take with ESL 115.
ESL 115 satisfies General Education requirements for CSU GE, Area C2 and IGETC, Area B2. This course transfers to CSU and UC.
1. Click here to read a reading from an ESL 115 class.
2. Watch the short video below from an ESL 115 class.
ESL 122 - College Rhetoric (6 units)
There is one course in Level 6. This course is a transfer-level English composition equivalent for non-native speakers of English, and it satisfies the same GE requirements as English 120. This course is designed to enhance critical reading, writing, listening, and speaking through academic inquiry across the disciplines. Based on thematic modules, Students analyze and evaluate a variety of texts in response to particular audiences and purposes. Students compose expository and argumentative academic papers and oral presentations for different audiences and purposes.
ESL 122 is 6 units. If you are an ESL 122 student and you want 12 units, you need to speak to a counselor. The counselor will help you determine which classes you should take with ESL 122
ESL 122 satisfies General Education requirements for Grossmont College Area A – A1, CSU GE Area A2, and IGETC 1A.
1. Click here to read a reading from an ESL 122 class.
2. There is no video for ESL 122 at this time.
4 - Questions or a Change of Level?
For questions or to change your level, contact the ESL department chair, mark.poupard@gcccd.edu