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What is ESOL?

We offer eight levels of English, from level 1, for students with no or very little English, to level 8, after which students can continue on with their college classes. ESOL levels 1-8 serve the needs of adult refugees, immigrants, permanent residents, and U.S. citizens. Levels 4-8 serve the needs of professional personnel working or training in the U.S., international students, and international visitors. We welcome deaf or hard-of-hearing students in ESOL.

Get started with ESOL

PCC offers most ESOL classes on-campus and some classes remotely. We will help you take an ESOL placement test, register, and get ready to take classes.

  1. Complete the admissions application to get a student ID number (G number). Winter term applications must be submitted by December 18.

     Apply now

  2. Take an ESOL placement test at any campus: ESOL testing schedule. For remote testing, fill out the ESOL intake form.
Questions?

Need help or have questions? Please contact us!

Why take ESOL classes

All ESOL students are working to achieve various personal goals, such as learning enough English to meet daily communication needs, conducting business, getting involved in their children’s education, and interacting in their community. Most ESOL students also have work- or education-related goals, such as high school equivalency or high school completion, professional or technical training, professional development, or continuation of college studies within an English-speaking medium.

ESOL offers both credit and non-credit classes. See more: program overview.

Our faculty

Teachers in the ESOL program have Master’s degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Master’s degrees and advanced TESOL training. These teachers come to the program with experience teaching students with language backgrounds other than English. Many teachers have additional expertise such as teaching with technology or teaching literacy. Most teachers have lived and worked in countries other than the U.S.

PCC provides an Annual Security Report meeting Clery Act requirements. The report shares safety programs, policies, and crime data for the past three years. It also includes steps you can take to maintain a safe campus for everyone.