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English As a Second Language

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Strengthen your English skills

English as a Second Language (ESL) assists students with learning English as a non-native speaker, enhances your skills with oral and written communication, and prepares you to communicate at the college level.

Whether you are a high-school graduate, a long-time resident, or an international student, ESL courses will improve your reading, writing, listening and oral language skills. You will be able to communicate with confidence and advance your academic and professional careers.

Programs of Study

The ESL program offers a sequence of academic ESL courses from low-intermediate fluency leading to English 1A. Students have the option to pursue credit or noncredit courses or a noncredit certificate. While non-credit courses do not count toward degree credit, you will be prepared to enroll in English 1A, a transfer-level class.

  • A
    Associate Degree
  • T
    Transfer Degree
  • C
    Credit Certificate
  • N
    Non-Credit
  • Limited Enrollment
    Limited Enrollment
  • Online Options Available
    Online Options
The ESL program offers a sequence of academic ESL courses from low-intermediate fluency leading to English 1A. Students can choose to take these courses in credit or noncredit formats according to their academic and professional goals. Credit and non-credit courses offer the same material, often in the same classroom and with the same teacher.

Program Code

Courses Only

View Course Sequence
ESL students are placed within the sequence of courses in the Advanced English as a Second Language Certificate according to their English abilities. Students completing this pattern of study will have a beginning level of fluency in the English language which will help them be successful in academic courses, CTE courses, or general employment.

Program Code

MCC8027

ESL students are placed within the sequence of courses in the Basic English as a Second Language Certificate according to their English abilities. Students completing this pattern of study will have a beginning level of fluency in the English language which will help them be successful in academic courses, CTE courses, or general employment.

Program Code

  MCC8028

The Introduction to Basic Computer and IT Careers for ESL Students Certificate will provide students with the opportunity to practice and demonstrate vocabulary, reading, written and oral language skills related to computer components, technology and IT Careers, with emphasis on cybersecurity and technical language used in the workplace.

Program Code

MCC8034

This program targets advanced academic reading, writing and oral language skills. Students gain an overview of the American Public Education system (K-12), its organizational components and collaborative processes in legal and public policy contexts. Using academic Standard American Language, key concepts in multicultural and special education such as Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) are discussed as they pertain to the roles and responsibilities of teacher and teacher assistants.

Program Code

MCC8007

More Ways to Learn

Why study English as a second language?

Strong skills in English mean greater academic and career enhancement, an easier time studying college material, and an opportunity to learn more about US culture. Whether you're learning English for the first time or continuing your English language-learning journey, ESL classes will help you achieve your goals, assist you with earning a degree or certificate, prepare to transfer to a university, advance your career, and enhance your communication skills. Start your journey to academic and professional success by enrolling in ESL at MVC.

What You'll Learn

  • You will be able to communicate successfully, orally and in writing and comprehend language at the basic, intermediate, or advanced college level.
  • You will be able to use basic, intermediate or advanced college-level Standard American English to write a short essay using academic vocabulary.
  • You will gain the skills to respond to a basic, intermediate or advanced college-level reading through writing and participation in discussions.
  • You will be able to employ patterns and expectations of the American culture, especially in the college environment, with confidence.

Your Next Steps

  • Conduct Guided Self-Placement (GSP), a short self-rated survey designed to give you a placement recommendation.
  • Decide if you want to take credit or noncredit courses depending on your educational goal. Students can learn more about this below.
  • Apply and register for classes.
  • Meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best courses for you.

Choosing Credit or Noncredit ESL Courses

MVC's ESL program offers a sequence of academic ESL courses from low-intermediate fluency lead to English 1A. New students need to choose the appropriate course level and decide whether to take the course as credit or noncredit. The RCCD Guided Self Placement Tool can help students decide which course to take.

Most ESL classes are offered as credit or noncredit. Students can choose the best option for their educational goals. These courses are mirrored, meaning that students who take the credit or noncredit courses are in the same classroom, with the same instructor, and have the same educational experience.

  • Courses that are credit are numbers ESL 46 - ESL 50, and courses that are noncredit are the same number with an “8” added: ESL 846 - ESL 850.
  • Credit and non-credit courses offer the same material, often in the same classroom and with the same teacher.
ESL classes can be taken along a credit or non-credit path
To take for-credit courses, you'll follow the Credit ESL path by taking ESL-46, 47, 48, 49, and 5 before moving onto ENG-1A. To take non-credit courses, you'll follow the Noncredit ESL path by taking ESL-846, 847, 848, 849, 850 before moving onto ENG-1A.

Your academic and career goals affect whether credit or noncredit ESL classes are best for you. Here are common reasons to choose a particular path:

Credit Classes Noncredit Classes
  • Have clear academic goals and need degree credit or transferable courses.
  • Need unit value to meet I-20 Visa requirements.
  • Have not decided on an academic goal yet.
  • Need to meet Dreamer requirements.
  • Want to advance in a current job or earn a career educational or ESL certificate.
  Credit Noncredit
Cost Enrollment fees apply for resident and non-resident students Courses are free of charge for resident and non-resident students
Units 5 units 0 units
Financial Aid Financial aid is available No aid is available. Students must pay for textbooks
Repeatability Repeats allowed to students who did not pass Repeats accepted regardless of grade
Transferability ESL 49 and 50 will transfer These classes are not for credit or transfer
Certificates No certificates available Noncredit certificates are available
The English as a Second Language MCE866 certificate program, which requires ESL-55, is in the process of being discontinued and is no longer accepting applications.