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English as a Second Language

Overview

General Information 

American River College offers courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) that are designed exclusively to provide non-native speakers of English with a command of the language necessary to pursue career, transfer and degree goals. Students whose native language is English but who need help with language fundamentals should seek courses offered in the English Department. 

We offer over 75 sections at eight different levels, from novice to advanced. There are five different types of courses:

  • ESL (integrated Reading & Writing courses)
  • ESLG (Grammar courses)
  • ESLL (Listening & Speaking courses)
  • ESLLAB (ESL assistance and courses in the ESL Center)
  • ESL W (Writing)

Some of our courses are taught as hybrid classes (half in the classroom and half online) or completely online.  We have classes at our Natomas Center in addition to our main campus.

Our students come from all over the world. Our largest language groups include Dari/Farsi, Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian as well as Spanish and Pashto. However, at any given time we have students from more than thirty different countries, speaking more than thirty different languages.

Our faculty is also diverse. Many of us have lived and taught in other countries and speak more than one language. We are united in our love of teaching ESL. American River College is a great place to be. Come and visit us. Our ESL Department webpage has links and help for students about the Remote Assessment test, Certificates of Proficiency, Prerequisite challenges, and the ELLIS club.

Certificates Offered

  • Advanced Proficiency Certificate in English as a Second Language Certificate
  • Advanced-High Certificate in English as a Second Language Certificate
  • Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Business Technology Certificate
  • Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Computer Info Science Certificate
  • Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Guided Pathways Milestone Certificate for Multilingual Speakers: Pathway to Early Childhood Education Certificate
  • Intermediate-High Proficiency in English as a Second Language Certificate
  • Intermediate-Low Proficiency in English as a Second Language Certificate
  • Intermediate-Mid Proficiency in English as a Second Language Certificate
  • Dean (Interim) Corinne Arrieta Katzorke
  • Department Chair Patrick Hoggan
  • Phone (916) 484-8653
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