Welcome to the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department! The ESOL department offers courses to help non-native English speakers
  • improve English for academic purposes
  • improve English for vocational purposes
  • improve English for personal interest

FAQs for New Students

What is the ESOL program?
Which ESOL courses should I take?
Can I take a class higher or lower than my placement test?
How do I enroll & register?
How can I get money to pay for school and books?
My schedule is busy. What if I don't have time to take a course?

Resources for Current Students

ESOL sequence
ESL Tutoring
ESL Conversation Groups
English-Spanish Language Sharing Groups

What is the ESOL program?
ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages, but we are also called ESL (English as a Second Language). The ESOL department provides instruction in English to students who wish to learn English for college study, career enhancement or personal enrichment. There are four levels of classes, plus a novice class and an additional composition class for students who want to get a college degree.

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Which ESOL courses should I take?
Take the Skyline Placement Test to find out your skill level. Take the ESOL course that is recommended for you. Here is the recommended pathway of ESOL courses. Check with a counselor to learn about other courses you can take to assist your development of English.

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Can I take a class higher or lower than my placement test recommendation?
ESOL 400 has a prerequisite of placement or satisfactory completion of ESOL 840 with a C or better. Students who do not meet this requirement may not take ESOL 400. ESOL 810, 820, 830 and 840 are courses in a sequence. Please take the courses in their proper sequence. You may take a class lower than your placement test recommendation if you truly do not feel you are ready for the recommended level.

See the ESOL Course Sequence here(pdf)

We do not recommend taking a class that is higher than your placement test recommendation. Our goal is to help you become competent in English, and learning a language takes time. Studies have shown that students who take classes that are higher than their own skill level often do not succeed in further coursework.

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How do I enroll and register?

  1. Fill out an application online or in person at the Admissions & Records office, Building 2.
  2. Apply for financial aid and other programs that can help you pay for college.
  3. Take ESOL (and Math, if necessary) placement tests.
  4. Complete an orientation (online or in-person) and make an appointment with a counselor to get advice on classes and to make an educational plan.
  5. Register for classes and pay fees.

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How can I get money to pay for school and books?
Skyline wants to help you study! Contact our Financial Aid office to learn about programs that can help you pay for college tuition, books, child care and other costs. Ask about the following programs to see if you qualify:

  • Financial Aid - This is government money for college, and it is paid for by taxpayers.
  • EOPS - Equal Opportunity Program and Services offers assistance with paying for books.
  • CalWorks - This program helps students who have received AFDC or TANF.
  • Scholarships - These are private funds that you can apply for, and you don't need to pay them back.

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My schedule is busy, but I really need to study more English. What if I don't have time to take a course?
Skyline's ESOL department has an excellent solution for students whose busy schedules cannot accommodate a class. ENGL 655 - English as a Second Language Supplement is a flexible-time, variable-unit course that allows you to get an individualized learning program and study according to your own speed and schedule. You can earn a 1/2-unit for every 24 hours of study time that you complete. In ENGL 655, you can study English using:

  • computer software for grammar and writing; pronunciation books with audiotapes and videotaped exercises and worksheets; free magazines; conversation groups and language-sharing activities; and workshops
  • textbooks, stories with tapes and other ESL materials

If you are a beginning student, make sure to take ENGL 655 in addition to an ESOL class. If you are an intermediate student or an advanced second-language speaker needing extra English study, you can take ENGL 655 in addition to your other English classes, or by itself for extra practice.

Here's how to enroll:

  1. Sign up for ENGL 655 using WebSMART or by visiting the One Stop Student Center in Building 2. Visit the Learning Center in room 5-100 and ask for an orientation to ENGL 655. At the Learning Center, take a language diagnostic and make a folder. Make an appointment to meet with the teacher or tutor to receive your individualized study plan.
  2. Make your own schedule, and meet with your teacher or tutor at least once throughout the semester to check your progress.

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