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ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages

Interested? Talk to ESL Connect

Program Spotlight

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes are designed for students who want to improve their written and spoken English skills.

The ESOL department provides:

Testimonial

student"ESOL classes at Skyline College made a difference in improving my English skills. I started at the lowest ESL course with low confidence in my abilities. The ESOL professors not only taught me writing and grammar, but they really supported me and believed in my potential which led me to succeed in my classes and pursue a bachelor’s degree." Mary Rondon

ESL Connect helps non-native English speakers apply to Skyline College and make use of its resources to achieve their educational goals.

Want to learn more? Need help with anything? Ask ESL Connect.

Program Mission:
To empower and transform our global community of nonnative English (ESL) learners.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Reading Skills

Comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and discuss English texts for the purpose of furthering academic, personal, vocational and civic growth.

Writing Skills

Critically evaluate and modify own written language to enhance academic, personal, vocational, and civic communication.

Listening & Speaking Skills

Listen effectively, and consistently produce comprehensible spoken English in a variety of academic, personal, vocational and civic situations.

Office Information
Location: Building 1-218
Email: skyesl@smccd.edu
Phone: (650) 738-7089
Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Spring 2025 Courses  |  Fall 2024 Courses

There are no classes offered during this semester. View all ESOL Courses at Skyline

ESOL / English Course Comparison Chart

The table below shows the type of assignments (reading and writing) students can expect to do at each level and the language skills (grammar & listening/speaking) that students should have when entering each level to maximize their success. You can also download the chart.

Expectations & Skills Topic Level 2 (not offered at Skyline College – see Adult School partners) Level 3: 830/853/873 Level 4: 840/854/874 Level 5: 400/875 Transfer-level (not ESL) ENGL 100/105
Expected Work:

Students can expect these assignments during the course of each level

Writing

Short descriptive paragraphs about routines and familiar topics

4 to 5 assignments of 1-2 paragraphs (1-2 pages each).

1 book report on a chosen book

Short journals and summaries (1-2 pages each)

3 take-home essays (3-5 pages each).

2 in-class essays (2-3 pages each)

3 take-home essays (3-7 pages each, with citations)

2 in-class essays (2-4 pages each)

Library research

4-5 text-based essays (4-8 pages each, with citations)

Library research

Reading

Short texts simplified for ESL

1 book (200-300 pages) with simple to intermediate vocabulary

Several short newspaper articles

1 book of choice, may be simplified for ESL

1 book (250-350 pages) in authentic English with advanced vocabulary

3-5 articles (2-3 pages each)

1 book (250-400 pages) in authentic English with advanced vocabulary

4-6 articles (3-9 pages each)

Topics: personal, academic, and social science

2-4 books (250-400 pages each) in authentic English with advanced vocabulary

5-8 articles (3-12 pages each)

Topics: academic, business, poetry, literature, social science, or philosophy

Necessary Skills: students need these skills and abilities when they enter this level

Grammar

Write simple sentences in English

Use simple statements, negatives, and questions in English

Write longer sentences in different verb tenses

There will be lots of intermediate ESL grammar instruction at this level

Write long sentences with complex ideas and developing control of grammar

There will be lots of intermediate / advanced ESL grammar instruction at this level

Students learn to edit their own writing

Write long, mostly grammatically correct sentences with complex ideas

There is very little grammar instruction at this level, and it is all advanced

Students edit their own grammar in their own writing with some in-class help

Write long grammatically correct sentences with complex ideas

There is no ESL grammar instruction at this level

Students edit their own grammar in their own writing with no in-class help

Listening & Speaking

Understand simple instructions

Ask and answer simple questions

Understand 60-70% of classroom instruction spoken at a slow to moderate pace

Ask and answer questions, and add follow-up questions, in English

Some translation may be needed

Understand 75% of classroom instruction spoken at a moderate pace

Ask questions and explain point of view in English

Student is becoming independent of translation

Understand 75% of classroom instruction spoken at a fast pace

Ask questions, discuss, explain point of view, debate, and present in English

Student is mostly independent of translation. 

Understand 90% of classroom instruction spoken at a fast pace

Ask questions, discuss, explain and defend point of view, debate, and present in English

Student is independent of translation

Prerequisite Challenge

The prerequisite challenge is for students who have been placed into ESOL 840 or equivalent and who wish to challenge their placement and enter ESOL 400. There is no challenge process for ESOL 830 or 840 which do not have prerequisites. If a student has placed into 830 or lower and would like to challenge into ESOL 400, we recommend that they visit the ESL Connect office.

Process

  • What:
    • For ESOL 400, the challenge consists of an in-person reading and writing sample that can take, at minimum, 50 minutes (at the Assessment Center)
    • Students may attempt the 400-challenge only once.
  • How:
    • Make an ESOL 400 challenge appointment with the Assessment Center. Please send an email to the Assessment Center (skyassessment@smccd.edu) with the following student information:
      1. Full legal name
      2. Student ID (G number)
      3. Current ESOL placement
      4. Statement that you wish to challenge the placement and enter 400
      5. Preferred email address for further communication

View the ESOL / English Course Comparison Chart

Primary Contact

Mylene Foo
Mylene Foo (Program Services Coordinator)
Language Arts-ESL Connect
foom@smccd.edu More details »

ESOL Faculty

Leigh Anne Shaw
Leigh Anne Shaw (Professor)
Language Arts-ESOL
shawl@smccd.edu More details »
Mine Kocak
Mine Kocak (Assistant Professor)
Language Arts-English|ESOL
kocakm@smccd.edu More details »
Erinn Struss
Erinn Struss (Professor/Faculty Coordinator for ESL Connect)
Language Arts-ESOL
strusse@smccd.edu More details »
Meegan Vaughn
Meegan Vaughn (Assistant Professor)
Language Arts-ESOL
vaughnm@smccd.edu More details »

Dean & Division Assistant

Kennya Ruiz
Kennya Ruiz (Division Assistant)
Language Arts-Language Arts Division
ruizk@smccd.edu More details »
Chris Gibson
Chris Gibson (Dean, Language Arts Division)
Language Arts-Language Arts Division
gibsonc@smccd.edu More details »