English as a Second Language

“Do you know what a foreign accent is? It’s a sign of bravery.” Amy Chua
ESL

English as a Second Language

Traducir al Español

Whether you are an international student, a long-time resident, or a high-school graduate RCC’s ESL program can improve students English language fluency to be successful in their goals:

  • Earning a degree or certificate

  • Taking academic courses for transfer to universities

  • Advancing in a career

  • Improving reading, vocabulary, and writing skills

  • Communicating with confidence

The tools on this page, and guidance from college counselors, can help you select the course that is right for you.

Step 1: Use the RCCD Guided Self Placement Tool to understand which ESL course is right for you.

Step 2: Decide if you want to take credit or noncredit courses depending on your educational goal. Students can learn more about this in “What Course Should I Take?”

Step 3: Apply and Register for courses 

What ESL Courses Does RCC Offer?

RCC’s ESL program offers a sequence of academic ESL courses from low-intermediate fluency leading to English 1A. These are our core courses.

ESL Path

Oral Skills Courses: ESL 91, 92, and 93
Reading and Vocabulary Courses: ESL 71, 72, and 73
Special Topics Courses: ESL 90D, ESL 90L and more

ESL COURSES List Class Schedule

What Courses Should I Take?

RCC’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 teacher, 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.

Should Students Take Credit or Noncredit Courses?
Credit Noncredit
  • Students who have clear academic goals and need  degree credit or transferable courses.
  • Students who need unit value to meet I-20 Visa status.
  • Students who are undecided about academic goals.
  • Students who need to meet Dreamer requirements.
  • Students who are undecided about academic goals
  • Students who want to advance in their current job or to earn a career education or ESL certificate.
Differences Between Credit and Noncredit Pathway Courses
  Credit Noncredit
Cost Enrollment fees apply:
$46 per unit x 5 units =$230 for residents		 Enrollment fees do NOT apply
  Out-of-state tuition fees apply to students that are not residents:
$265 per unit x 5 units = $1,280		 Out-of-state tuition fees do NOT apply, including for undocumented students
Units 5 units 5 units
Financial Aid Financial aid available Students must pay for books—no financial aid available
Repeatability Students may repeat if they do not pass the class Students may take the class again regardless of grade
Transferability ESL 49 and 50 transfer Not for credit or transfer
Certificates   Noncredit certificates available

Get Started