English as a Second Language (ESL)
The mission of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department is to prepare students with adequate listening, speaking, reading, writing, and academic skills to enable them to be successful in everyday situations, vocational settings, and transfer-level classes.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at El Camino College has existed for over 25 years. During that time, it has served students from almost 100 different countries. The department has a large faculty highly qualified in English, second language acquisition, and linguistics. Many of the instructors are bilingual and have lived abroad.
Not sure what ESL/NESL class to take? View the video below!
ESL/NESL Sequence of Classes:
Registration Process for Credit/Mirrored & Noncredit ESL Classes
Step 1: ESL Overview
Watch El Camino College’s ESL video to learn more about our Credit and Mirrored ESL Courses!
Step 2: Fill out ECC Application
To enroll in ESL credit courses, please create a CCC Account and fill out the ECC Application.
- For instructions on how to apply, please click here. Para instrucciones en español, por favor haga clic aquí.
- For in person assistance, please visit the ESL office at SOCS 101, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm by appointment only (please call our office to schedule an appointment 310-660-6457) OR visit the Warrior Welcome Center in Student Services Building, Room 148, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- If you have an F1-Visa, please apply at the International Student Program in the Student Services Building, Room 164.
Step 3: Assessment
After completing the ECC Application and receiving your student ID, you would need to complete an ESL Placement Test for Credit and Mirrored ESL Courses.
- If you are an International Student, please click here to start the Placement Test.
- If you are NOT an International Student, please click here to complete the first part of your assessment OR schedule an appointment to take your ESL Placement Test in person: https://bit.ly/eccESLtesting.
- Please note that the second part of your Assessment must be completed in person (by appointment only). Schedule an appointment by clicking on the following link: https://bit.ly/eccESLtesting.
Step 4: Register for Classes
- Once you’ve taken the ESL Placement, you can register for classes.
Need assistance? Refer to the step-by-step guide available at https://www.elcamino.edu/admissions/registration/.
Para instrucciones en español, por favor haga clic aquí.
For in person assistance, visit the ESL office at SOCS 101, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm OR visit the Warrior Welcome Center in Student Services Building, Room 148, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Credit vs. Mirrored vs. Noncredit ESL
El Camino College (ECC) has two ESL programs, the CREDIT program and the NONCREDIT program. Our goal is to help you reach your educational goal(s). Per state legislation (AB 705), all students can register directly for transfer-level coursework. Colleges like ECC utilize multiple measures to place students in ESL courses. Please see the chart below and find out which ESL program is best for you!
|
Credit ESL |
Mirrored Courses (Noncredit) |
Noncredit ESL |
|
|
Curriculum |
Classes that will count towards a degree or certificate in any of a wide variety of careers. |
Mirrored classes are exact replicas of credit classes; only they are noncredit. Students attend class with credit students and are expected to do the same work. |
Courses focused on helping students communicate in English at home, at work, and in the community. |
|
Units per Class |
4 units Summer 2022 Please note: 5 units starting Fall 2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
International (F1 Visa) Students |
Please contact the International Student Program regarding the classes you need to take |
DO NOT TAKE |
DO NOT TAKE |
|
ECC Courses *Not all classes will be offered every semester |
Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation ESL 51 A – Elementary ESL 51 B – Intermediate ESL 51 C – Advanced
Reading and Vocabulary Building ESL 52 A – Elementary ESL 52 B – Intermediate ESL 52 C – Advanced Writing and Grammar ESL 53 A – Elementary ESL 53 B – Intermediate ESL 53 C – Advanced |
*Only 5 spots per class offered Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation NESL 51 A – Elementary NESL 51 B – Intermediate NESL 51 C – Advanced
Reading and Vocabulary Building NESL 52 A – Elementary NESL 52 B – Intermediate NESL 52 C – Advanced
Writing and Grammar NESL 53 A – Elementary NESL 53 B – Intermediate NESL 53 C – Advanced |
Noncredit ESL NESL 600 NESL 601 NESL 602 NESL 603 NESL 604 NESL 605
ESL for Health Care I & II ESL for Childhood Educators I & II ESL Support for Career and Technical Programs ESL for Math I & II ESL for Medical Terminology ESL for Anatomy and Physiology I & II ESL for Radiological Technology I |
|
Placement |
After you apply to ECC, you can register to take the Accuplacer test by completing the following form: Credit & Mirrored ESL Placement
|
After you apply, take the Noncredit Placement:
|
|
|
Cost |
Tuition & Fees |
FREE |
FREE |
|
Contact |
Community and Continuing Education Center, SOCS 101 310-660-6457 |
||
Personal Care Aide Program
 |
 |
International Students
If you are an international student and want to take ESL classes at the college, you can get information from the International Student Program at (310) 660-3431. International students need a TOEFL score of at least 450. If an international student's TOEFL score is lower than 450, they can take classes at El Camino Language Academy before meeting the 450 TOEFL score requirement.
If you wish to discuss further your ESL placment results and/or challenge an ESL prerequisite, please get in touch with theDean of Humanities, Scott Kushigemachi, at skushigemachi@elcamino.edu.
Spring 2025 Courses
Questions?
If you'd like to visit, the ESL Office is located at the Community and Continuing Education Office in Social Science 101. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at esl@elcamino.edu or by phone at 310-660-6457. We're here to help you get started!
Survey
El Camino College offers a variety of free ESL classes that prepare students for specific academic subjects and careers. Please complete the following survey to let us know which courses you are interested in taking.