English as a Second Language Noncredit Certificate of Completion
This sequence of four courses is designed to equip non-native speakers of English with the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the low intermediate level in English needed for employment or to successfully complete college-level courses for a career or for associate or transfer degree programs. An assessment process determines appropriate initial placement in the sequence. In order to earn a certificate, students must successfully complete N ESL 304. The sequence is articulated with credit vocational English as a Second Language courses that prepare students to enter six recognized career fields and with degree-applicable credit reading and composition courses.
Noncredit classes are FREE. There is no unit charge for noncredit classes. You will be required to pay a health and parking fee ONLY if your class meets at either the main San Marcos Campus or the Escondido Center. (Students may have to purchase textbooks for some courses.
Certificate Requirements
N ESL 901 Beginning ESL I
N ESL 902 Beginning ESL II
ESL 903 Beginning ESL III
ESL 904 Intermediate ESL I
Course Offerings:
N ESL 901 Beginning ESL I
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for non-native speakers of English at the low-beginning level.
N ESL 902 Beginning ESL II
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for non-native speakers of English at the mid-beginning level.
N ESL 903 Beginning ESL III
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for non-native speakers of English at the high-beginning level.
N ESL 904 Intermediate ESL I
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for non-native speakers of English at the low-intermediate level.
N ESL 922 Beginning Conversation
Conversation skills for non-native speakers of English at the mid and high beginning level.
Courses Offered in Summer Only:
N ESL 961
Beginning Level Listening and Speaking I Listening and speaking for non-native speakers of English at the low-beginning level.
N ESL 962
Beginning Level Listening and Speaking II Listening and speaking for non-native speakers of English at the mid-beginning level.
N ESL 963
Beginning Level Listening and Speaking III Listening and speaking for non-native speakers of English at the high beginning level.
N ESL 964
Intermediate Level Listening and Speaking Listening and speaking for non-native speakers of English at the intermediate level. This course focuses on listening and speaking skills required in a work or academic environment. Included are listening for the main idea and supporting details in academic and non-academic discourse and giving short work or school-related presentations.
N ESL 983 Computer Literacy for ESL
Basic computer literacy and skills development for non-native speakers of English.
N ESL 994 Career Track ESL
English as a Second Language instruction in preparation for a certificate or degree program. Self-paced modules provide an introduction to complementary language and academic skills necessary to succeed in a career or extended education program. Includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and introductory to advanced computer literacy skills.
Citizenship (N CTZN)
N CTZN 900 Citizenship
A general survey of U.S. history, government and civics, including culture, institutions, and use of community services and agencies. Designed to assist eligible individuals to become United States citizens. Includes practice of oral/aural/literacy skills in English necessary to pass an oral and written test with an Immigration and Naturalization Service official.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Credit Classes
Any student wishing to earn an A.A. degree must complete ENG 100 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Students whose first language is not English are advised to participate in an English placement process given by the English as a Second Language Department before enrolling in any English or English as a Second Language class. The assessment process will determine which level is appropriate for the student.
Course Offerings:
- Courses numbered under 50 are non-degree courses.
- Courses numbered under 100 are not intended for transfer credit.
- The following courses are for students whose first language is not English
ESL 9 English Pronunciation I (3 units)
Non-degree Applicable
Development of students’ ability to identify and replicate English intonation, stress patterns, and certain common word combinations as they are pronounced in informal speech.
ESL 10 English Pronunciation II (3 units)
Non-degree Applicable
Identifies standard spoken American English intonation, stress and rhythm sounds. Provides practice to retrain the speech organs to produce those sounds. Emphasis on self-correction of speech problems.
ESL 12 ESL Grammar Skills I (3 units)
Non-degree Applicable
Instruction in editing of written material by applying conventions of standard
ESL 13 ESL Grammar Skills II (3 units)
Non-degree Applicable
Instruction in editing of written material by applying conventions of standard written English.
ESL 14 ESL Grammar Skills III (3 units)
Non-degree Applicable
Instruction in editing of written material by applying conventions of standard written English.
ESL 20 Academic Speaking and Listening (3 units)
Recommended preparation: N ESL 303 or eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Non-degree Applicable
Develops speaking and listening skills necessary for non-native speakers of English to be successful in the college environment. This class emphasizes linguistic and interpersonal skills in order for participation in discussions and performance of tasks in personal, academic, and formal or informal situations. Vocabulary, conversation strategies, presentation techniques, and strategies for notetaking and listening for main ideas and details are introduced within interesting and meaningful contexts.
ESL 40 Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (2 units)
Non-degree Applicable
A multilevel reading and writing course designed to help students improve their reading and writing skills. This course will provide a review of grammar, paragraph organization and development, and the conventions of academic writing. It will also address reading strategies such as using textual clues to aid comprehension, finding a balance between speed and accuracy, and vocabulary building.
ESL 45 Reading and Writing Essentials I (5 units)
Non-degree Applicable
A beginning course in reading and writing academic English for students whose first language is not English. Offers instruction in reading skills, basic grammar usage, paragraph organization and development, and appropriate basic vocabulary for academic reading and writing.
ESL 55 Reading and Writing Essentials II (5 units)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in ESL 35 or ESL 45, or eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
An intermediate course in reading and writing academic English for students whose language is not English. Introduces analytical skills and critical thinking through reading, word level, and sentence level grammar as it applies to academic writing, paragraph organization and development, and appropriate vocabulary for academic writing.
ESL 98.1 Career Track ESL I (units may vary)
First level English as a Second Language instruction in preparation for entrance into a career, certificate, or degree program. Self-paced modules provide an introduction to complementary language and academic skills necessary to succeed in a career/technical program. Includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and basic computer literacy skills.
ESL 98.2 Career Track ESL II (units may vary)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in ESL 98.1
Intermediate English as a Second Language instruction in preparation for a vocational program. Continued self-paced intermediate instruction in complementary language and academic skills necessary to succeed in a vocational program. Includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, and intermediate computer literacy skills.
ESL 101 Written Communication I (5 units)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in ESL 36 or ESL 55, or eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Transfer acceptability: CSU
A review of word level and sentence level grammar, paragraph organization, paragraph development, development of the five-paragraph essay and appropriate vocabulary for academic writing. Emphasizes writing as a process; develops analytical skills and critical thinking.
ESL 102 Written Communication II (5 units)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in ESL 101 or eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – ESL 102 and 103 combined: maximum credit, 8 units
A review of sentence-level grammar, paragraph organization, development of the five-paragraph essay, and appropriate vocabulary for academic writing. Introduces writing as a response to published materials that cultivate the affective and intellectual abilities of the students. Emphasizes writing as a process; develops analytical skills and critical thinking.
ESL 103 Written Communication III (5 units)
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in ESL 102 or eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC – ESL 102 and 103 combined: maximum credit, 8 units
Expansion of the basic five-paragraph essay through the development of detailed, specific, and appropriate support. Further develops the students’ abilities to read, analyze, interpret, and respond to both objectively and subjectively to published materials that are linguistically, conceptually, and culturally challenging. Emphasizes writing as a process.
ESL 105 Accelerated Written Communication I (6 units)
Prerequisite: ESL 45, or Eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
An accelerated course in reading and writing combining ESL 55 and 101. Designed for students whose first language is not English. Emphasizes analytical and critical thinking skills through reading and writing as a process. Reviews sentence-level grammar and its application to academic writing of summaries and development of paragraph organization and multiple-paragraph essays.
ESL 106 Accelerated Written Communication II (6 units)
Prerequisite: ESL 105, or Eligibility determined through the English as a Second Language placement process
Transfer acceptability: CSU; UC
An accelerated course in reading and writing combining ESL 102 and 103 designed for students whose first language is not English. Review of the five-paragraph essay with an emphasis on the detailed, specific, and appropriate support. Develops students’ abilities to critically analyze and respond to both objectively and subjectively to published materials. Introduces the principles of basic research.
ESL 130 Academic Reading for ESL I (3 units)
Transfer acceptability: CSU
An introduction to reading skills necessary for understanding academic and other writing. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, critical thinking skills, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Additional focus is on the improvement of oral reporting.
ESL 131 Academic Reading for ESL II (3 units)
Transfer acceptability: CSU
Reading skills for understanding the complex nature of the language and concepts presented in college textbooks. Emphasis is on the organization of textbook writing, the signals which help the student to analyze and comprehend each part of a chapter, and the patterns of writing which students must recognize such as cause and effect, comparison and contrast, exemplification and process which are most common in college textbook material.
Follow link to access Palomar College class schedule https://www.palomar.edu/schedule/