Program overview
ESOL Levels 1 through 3 are non-credit classes. Levels 4 through 6 can be taken as non-credit or credit classes. (The Level 6 non-credit classes won’t be available until Summer Term 2021.) Levels 7 and 8 are credit classes. You can apply 24 credits of ESOL classes to an associate degree.
The cost of ESOL classes ranges from a moderate fee to full college tuition. If you need help paying, see the non-credit waivers at the bottom of this page.
| Level | Class | Credit hours | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic ESOL for daily living | |||||
| 1 | ESOL 10 | 3, 6, or 9 non-credit hours | $36.90, $78.80, or $115.70 per class | ||
| 2 | ESOL 20 | ||||
| 3 | ESOL 30 | ||||
| Transitional ESOL | |||||
| 4 | Writing 42N | Reading 40N | Communication 44N | 4 non-credit hours per class | $150.10 per class |
| Writing 42 | Reading 40 | Communication 44 | International students only: 4 credits per class | College tuition | |
| 5 | Writing 152N | Reading 150N | Communication 154N | 4 non-credit hours per class | $150.10 per class |
| Writing 152 | Reading 150 | Communication 154 | 4 credits per class | College tuition | |
| Academic ESOL | |||||
| 6 | Writing 162N | Reading 160N | Communication 164N | 5 non-credit hours per class. These classes will become available Summer 2021 | $187 per class |
| Writing 162 | Reading 160 | Communication 164 | 5 credits per class | College tuition | |
| 7 | Writing 252 | Reading 250 | Communication 254 | 5 credits per class | College tuition |
| 8 | Writing 262 | Reading 260 | Communication 264 | 5 credits per class | College tuition |
Estimated time to complete the program
Each class in Levels 1-3 is designed to be completed in two to three terms. Each class in Levels 4-8 is designed to be completed in one term. A student’s rate of progress through the program is affected by a number of factors, such as native language, educational background, living situation, work schedule, and time available to study and practice.
Non-credit fee waivers
ESOL students in Levels 1-6 who cannot pay the class fee can ask their instructor for a Class Fee Waiver form. To qualify, a student must show proof of participation in Food Stamp Benefits, Oregon Health Plan, or Dislocated Workers Program. All class and tech fees can be waived for Level 1-3 students. Students who are in Levels 4 through 6 can only waive the class and tech fees for one class each term.
Applying for Financial Aid
Do you already have a 4-year college degree from your country? Please talk to a financial aid advisor before applying for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Final “grades” or marks for non-credit ESOL classes
In general, students who complete a class have earned passing grades on homework, quizzes, and tests, and have not had unusual attendance problems.
- CM = Completed (The student is ready to advance to the next level.)
- PR = Progressing (The student must stay at the same level; the student is not yet ready to go to the next level.)
- L = Left (The student left the class.)
- UP = Unsatisfactory Progress. (This mark exits the student from the PCC ESOL program. Students are advised to enroll in a community-sponsored English language course and then re-take the placement test when they are ready to come back to PCC.)