Classroom full of students

GLOBAL LANGUAGES AND SOCIETY

English as a Second Language (ESL) at LAMC

Our ESL Programs

LAMC offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for all skill levels. There are two ESL programs to choose from: Essential ESL and Academic ESL. 

Essential ESL

I want to…

  • study basic to intermediate English/ESL.
  • use English in my community.
  • study for the USCIS Citizenship Exam.
  • learn ESL for personal development.
  • get an entry-level job in English.

The purpose of the Essential ESL Program is to offer opportunities for students to begin their English experience or develop special skills for personal enrichment. All Essential ESL courses are noncredit and are mostly designed for beginning to intermediate-level English language learners. The program offers five levels ranging from Literacy/Foundations to Intermediate. In addition to the core/level courses, there are also pronunciation and conversation courses to help beginning-level students develop fluency. 

Please visit our Essential ESL Program page for additional information.

Academic ESL

I want to…

  • study intermediate to advanced English/ESL.
  • use English for academic purposes.
  • get a certificate or degree at LAMC.
  • transfer to a university.
  • get a professional-level job in English.

The purpose of the Academic ESL Program is to prepare students for college-level reading and writing requirements, to transfer to a university, and/or to prepare for professional-level employment. Academic ESL courses are designed for intermediate to advanced-level English language learners.

Please visit our Academic ESL Program page for additional information.

E.S.L. 110

College Composition for Non-Native English Speakers

In order to obtain an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a college or university in the U.S., students must take approximately 30 to 60 units of general education courses. One of the most important GE courses is "composition" - sometimes called "freshmen composition" or "first-year composition" because it is often taken in the first semester/year of college. 

E.S.L. 110 is a transfer-level English composition course. "Transfer-level" means that it is equal to college or university level. The course satisfies the Area 1 GE Composition Requirement for both UC (IGETC) and CSU (CSUGE). E.S.L. 110 is equivalent to English 101 in that it transfers to UC/CSU in the same way. Students who complete E.S.L. 110 do not have to take English 101. Additionally, students do not need any previous experience taking ESL courses prior to enrolling in E.S.L. 110. This course is particularly useful for international students and/or non-native English speakers.

For more information, please contact Professor Jacob Skelton (@email).

How to Start? - English/ESL Placement 

To find your English/ESL level, please follow these steps:

  1. ​NEW LAMC students must first apply to the college. After you apply and receive your Student ID Number, please return to Step 2.

  2. Make an appointment for English/ESL Guided Self-Placement. Contact our Adult Education Counselor, Professor Brianda Alvarez at alvarebn@lamission.edu or call 818-364-7682 OR 818-364-7774.

    NOTE: The Guided Self-Placement appointment takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Students complete a brief biographical survey and interview with Professor Alvarez. Students receive English/ESL placement as a result of the survey/interview. No tests! No stress! It's quick and easy! 

  3. Register for classes.

    NOTE: For more information about the ESL Program (Essential English and/or Academic English), please contact Professor Jacob Skelton at skeltolj2@lamission.edu or call (818) 364-7678.

    All students have a right to access transfer-level (college-level) English courses such as English 101 or E.S.L. 110. Students are not required to take ESL courses prior to taking English 101 or E.S.L. 110.