ESL/International Student Support Services
English as a Second Language Courses and Requirements
All students who are new to America or who consider English as their second language are welcome to Montgomery County Community College. We currently have more than six hundred English as A Second Language (ESL) students at the College, and we are happy to see the number increasing each year. Different cultures bring diverse experiences and ideas to the college community, and we are all enriched as a result.
MCCC offers a variety of English as a Second Language courses as well as two-year transfer and non-transfer undergraduate programs, and one-year certificates. ESL courses are designed to prepare students for the academic programs. At the end of the advanced level, students will be able to reach a level where they can take college courses in confidence and pass them successfully. The ESL advisor and the Associate Director of ESL/International Student Support Services will be happy to help with program of study and course choices.
ESL Course Descriptions
Well-educated and well-trained instructors conduct day and evening classes at the Blue Bell campus. Up-to-date textbooks are used and are easily available at the campus bookstore. Additional help is offered through the Learning Assistance Lab where students can receive individual tutoring at no extra cost.
ESL courses don’t carry college credits towards a degree program.
Basic Levels
ESL 004, ESL 005 and ESL 006 introduce students to basic English vocabulary and pronunciation and include practice in listening/speaking/writing. These semi- intensive courses meet very frequently to allow students more time and exposure to the language. Students learn basic everyday communication skills as well as more advanced academic skills including writing paragraphs.
Intermediate levels
ESL 010 Basic Writing I & REA 014 include building English vocabulary and improving reading comprehension and basic writing skills. Students in ESL 010 will review major grammar constructions, study sentence structure and practice clear paragraph development.
ESL 009 Oral/Aural Skills develops students' listening and conversation skills. Students will participate in small group activities and pronunciation exercises. Additional focus will be on presentation skills and some academic note taking exercises. This class is a prerequisite for any ESL student wishing to take Speech 110.
Advanced levels
ESL 011 Basic Writing II & REA 017 increases English vocabulary and enhances reading comprehension and writing. The ESL 011 class focuses on teaching students how to write appropriate academic paragraphs with a clear topic sentence, support and conclusion. Advanced grammar structures are also taught.
Intermediate and Advanced level ESL students may take some college level courses while they are taking ESL courses; however, these college courses are restricted. Students should see the ESL/International Advising Specialist to find out the college courses open to ESL students.
ESL Course Requirements
- LLL
- ESL 004
- ESL 005
- ESL 006
- ESL 010 + REA 014
- ESL 011 + REA 017
- ESL 009 (recommended, not required)
LLL: Life Long Learning ESL courses are for students who have very limited English
speaking, writing, and listening skills.
ESL 004: prerequisite: appropriate score on the placement test.
ESL 005: prerequisite: ESL 004 or appropriate score on the placement test.
ESL 006: prerequisite: ESL 005 or appropriate score on the placement test.
ESL 009: prerequisite: ESL 006 or higher ESL placement. This course recommended
but not required.
ESL 010: prerequisite: ESL 006 or appropriate score on the placement test.
ESL 011: prerequisite: ESL 010 or appropriate score on the placement test.
ENG 101: prerequisite: ESL 011 or appropriate score on the placement test.
REA 014: prerequisite: ESL 006. This course should be taken with ESL 010.
REA 017: prerequisite: ESL 010. This should be taken with ESL 011.
For more detail course descriptions, please visit http://www.mc3.edu/aa/courses/eslcrs.htm
ESL students may take some college level courses while they are taking ESL courses; however, choices are limited. The list of courses open to students placing into ESL classes is on page 144 of the 2006-08 catalog.
