English as Second Language

http://www.mtsac.edu/esl/

Classes and programs are available for English language learners at all levels of proficiency, from low literacy to advanced and ready to transition into credit or career pathways. Classes and services include:

• Orientation and assessment for level placement (Foundations – Level 6)
• Core level classes focusing on integrated skills (grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing)
• Skill-focused classes (Speaking, Writing, Pronunciation, and Reading)
• Specialized courses (TOEFL preparation, Citizenship preparation)
• Transition to credit and/or career training program (VESL Career Paths)
• English for Special Uses (ESU) courses (Accounting, Real Estate, and Healthcare)
• Supplemental ESL workshops, tutoring, and conversation groups
• Academic and career counseling, educational planning, and annual career conference
• Workshops and classroom presentations on college and career options
• ESL Certificates include:
  • VESL Career Paths
  • ESL - Beginning Level
  • ESL - Intermediate Level
  • ESL - Advanced Level
  • ESL Oral Communication - Literacy Level
  • ESL Oral Communication - Beginning Level
  • ESL Oral Communication - Intermediate Level
  • ESL Oral Communication - Advanced Level
  • ESL Written Communication - Literacy Level
  • ESL Written Communication - Beginning Level
  • ESL Written Communication - Intermediate Level
  • ESL Written Communication - Advanced Level

See the left menu for more details.

The ESL office and registration services are located in the Language Center, Building 66. For more information, please contact us at (909) 274-5235, email us at ESLreg@mtsac.edu, or visit us on our website.

VESL Career Paths 

Certificate of Competency
#35611

VESL Career Paths is a two-semester program designed to facilitate advanced level ESL students in transitioning from noncredit ESL to credit and/or vocational certificate programs. The VESL Program builds upon advanced English language proficiency, computer literacy, and education and career exploration skills. Students take the group of courses together in cohorts and must successfully complete the two-semester program in order to receive a VESL certificate.

VESL is for students who:

• Need more language and work skills for better job opportunities
• Want a college degree but need to improve English and study skills before transferring to credit
• Have a college degree and work experience from native country, but need to improve their English so they can earn a vocational certificate
• Need more English and computer skills in order to be more active in their family's life and in their community

Students who complete the VESL program:

• Increase English proficiency
• Gain experience using computers
• Learn how to design and give media presentations
• Develop job search and interviewing skills
• Earn a Certificate of Competency for VESL
• Earn a General Office Skills Certificate of Completion

Program Outline

VESL 1 (1st Semester)                                      

1. Office Management Skills (VOC CS41)                      
2. VESL Speaking (ESL VSPK)                                          
3. VESL Writing (ESL VWRT)                                                 
4. Career and Life Planning for ESL (BS CNSL5)

VESL 2 (2nd Semester)

1. Microcomputer Applications (VOC CSB15)
2. English (AMLA, credit English, or an elective)

*NOTE:  Students are required to take ALL classes in the VESL program together.

COST:  The VESL program is free, with the exception of course books and campus parking permit.

ESL - Beginning Level

Certificate of Competency
#38082

ESL students are placed within the sequence of beginning-level ESL courses according to their English abilities. Students progress through this sequence based on individual needs before transitioning into intermediate-level ESL courses or employment. Supplemental courses including speaking, writing, reading, pronunciation, vocational language, and learning support courses will assist their progress through the sequence and may be taken along with ESL level courses as needed.

Courses are offered all year long, including winter and summer intersessions. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students placed within the ESL Foundations through ESL Level 2 will be able to successfully complete the sequence of beginning level courses and demonstrate their skill achievement in beginning-level English language proficiency by passing the department standardized comprehensive final examination.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

Recommended Electives

ESL - Intermediate Level

Certificate of Competency
#38097

ESL students are placed within the sequence of intermediate-level ESL courses according to their English abilities. Students progress through this sequence based on individual needs before transitioning into advanced-level ESL courses or employment. Supplemental courses including speaking, writing, reading, pronunciation, vocational language, and learning support courses will assist their progress through the sequence and may be taken along with ESL level courses as needed.

Courses are offered all year long, including winter and summer intersessions. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students placed within ESL Level 3 and ESL Level 4 will be able to successfully complete the sequence of intermediate level courses and demonstrate their skill achievement in intermediate-level English language proficiency by passing the department standardized comprehensive final examination.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

Recommended Electives 

ESL - Advanced Level

Certificate of Competency
#38094

ESL students are placed within the sequence of advanced-level ESL courses according to their English abilities. Students progress through this sequence based on individual needs before transitioning into credit courses or employment. Supplemental courses including speaking, writing, reading, pronunciation, vocational language, and learning support courses will assist their progress through the sequence and may be taken along with ESL level courses as needed.

Courses are offered all year long, including winter and summer intersessions. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends.

Program Learning Outcomes

Required Courses

Recommended Electives

ESL Oral Communication - Literacy Level

Certificate of Competency
#42753

The ESL Oral Communication Program for students with literacy-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to develop foundational listening and speaking
skills as well as pronunciation in American English in order to communicate in familiar
situations they encounter at school, work, and in the community. The program includes
targeted instruction and practice in listening comprehension, pronunciation, and conversation
strategies within the context of literacy-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Oral Communication - Beginning Level

Certificate of Competency
#42756

The ESL Oral Communication Program for students with beginning-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to develop basic pronunciation, listening, and
speaking skills in American English in order to effectively communicate in familiar situations
they encounter at school, work, and in the community. The program includes targeted
instruction and practice in listening comprehension, pronunciation, and conversation
strategies within the context of beginning-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Oral Communication - Intermediate Level

Certificate of Competency
#42757

The ESL Oral Communication Program for students with intermediate-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to improve their pronunciation, listening, and
speaking skills in American English in order to achieve effective communication at college,
work, and in the community. The program includes targeted instruction and practice in
listening comprehension, pronunciation, conversation strategies, and oral presentations within
the context of intermediate-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Oral Communication - Advanced Level

Certificate of Competency
#42754

The ESL Oral Communication Program for students with advanced-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to strengthen their pronunciation, listening, and
speaking skills in American English in order to achieve more effective communication at
college, work, and in the community. The program includes targeted instruction and practice
in advanced skills in listening comprehension, pronunciation, conversation strategies, and
oral presentations within the context of advanced vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Written Communication - Literacy Level

Certificate of Competency
#42758

The ESL Written Communication Program for students with literacy-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to develop foundational reading and writing
skills in order to communicate in familiar situations they encounter at school, work, and in the
community. The program includes targeted instruction and practice in reading and writing
skills within the context of literacy-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Written Communication - Beginning Level

Certificate of Competency
#42755

The ESL Written Communication Program for students with beginning-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to develop basic reading and writing skills in
order to effectively communicate in familiar situations they encounter at school, work, and in
the community. The program includes targeted instruction and practice in reading and writing
skills within the context of beginning-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Written Communication - Intermediate Level

Certificate of Competency
#42727

The ESL Written Communication Program for students with intermediate-level English
language proficiency provides course work and support to improve their reading and writing
skills in order to develop effective written communication skills for academic, employment,
and personal purposes. The program includes targeted instruction and practice in reading
and writing skills within the context of intermediate-level vocabulary and grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

ESL Written Communication - Advanced Level

Certificate of Competency
#42726

The ESL Written Communication Program for students with advanced-level English language
proficiency provides course work and support to strengthen their reading and writing skills in
order to achieve effective formal and informal written communication skills for academic,
employment, and personal purposes. The program includes targeted instruction and practice
in advanced skills in reading and writing within the context of advanced vocabulary and
grammar structures.

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Required Courses

Counseling Services:

The ESL Counseling Team offers academic, career, and personal/educational counseling to assist current and prospective students in developing their educational plans, coordinating their career goals, and navigating the American educational system. Students are encouraged to visit or call the office for appointments; walk-in appointments are also available. Some services include:

• Providing orientation and educational planning to noncredit students
• Defining values, skills, aptitudes, and abilities for the right career choice
• Exploring careers of interest and pathways leading to them
• Providing workshops to help transition into credit classes
• Researching license, degree, and transfer of units/credit
• Finding referrals to campus and community resources
• Access to computers and printers in the Career Guidance Center

For more information, call (909) 274-5715 or email at ESLCounseling@mtsac.edu.

Learning Resources:

The ESL Department offers a variety of learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom in order to help support students with development of effective English communication and lifelong habits of learning. Some of these services include:

• ESL Library reading and writing material for all levels and available for check out
• Workshops on special topics such as learning styles and vocabulary development
• Language Learning Center open lab for independent practice
• Tutoring services in grammar and writing

Language Learning Center