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English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language

Degree Type: Non-Degree

Pathway: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

More Options: Classroom Based

Program Length: 1-4 Semesters

Location: Centennial

Transferability: Non-transferable

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Spring 2024 registration opens October 30

Spring classes will fill quickly! Make sure you have a plan for Spring classes so you can register early and enroll in the classes you need to reach your goals. Need guidance? Our academic advising office is here to help!

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Students enjoying a class session

ESL AT PPSC

If English is your second language, you may struggle to get through college. We have the classes to prepare you. Even if you’re not seeking a degree or certificate from PPSC, you may want to take some classes to improve your English reading, speaking and writing skills for work or communicating better with friends or neighbors.
 
Students who’ve taken our English as a Second Language (ESL) classes say they’ve changed their lives.
 
PPSC's ESL program has three levels of study: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Students who place in the basic level take three classes in that level before moving on to intermediate. Students in the intermediate level take three classes before moving on to advanced. There are three classes in the advanced level. We offer classes in grammar, writing, reading, listening/speaking, and pronunciation. Those who complete our advanced level will receive a Certificate of Completion. Many students who finish the ESL program continue at PPCC.

Our ESL sequence chart shows you the required classes for each level of our program and a brief description of each course.
Download Sequence Chart

ESL Classes You Might Take

See what ESL classes you might take by viewing the course descriptions below. All students take a placement test to determine level.

A student studying

ESL 0011 | Basic Pronunciation

Provides listening and speaking activities that help students recognize and produce English vowel and consonant sounds and common stress and intonation patterns.

Students focusing in a class session

ESL 0022 | Intermediate Grammar

Builds on basic grammar structures. This course develops competency in intermediate grammar structures with continued emphasis on oral and written communication.

A student studying

ESL 0031 | Basic Listening & Speaking

Provides listening and speaking activities that help the student communicate more competently. Provides practice with pronunciation, vocabulary, and basic grammatical patterns.

Students having fun

ESL 0043 | Advanced Reading

Prepares the student for academic reading assignments. Assists the student to read more accurately and critically through the development of vocabulary knowledge and reading skills. Introduces research skills.

A student studying

ESL 0052 | Intermediate Composition

Introduces the fundamentals of paragraph organization and development. Emphasizes development of sentence variety and grammatical competency within well-organized paragraphs.

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Testimonial

Yanshu Li

Testimonial

The ESL program helped me prepare for my college classes, and it helped me integrate into American society very quickly. Even if the college classes were difficult for me, I still got a good grade because I have learned a lot of basic English knowledge like grammar, writing skills, and reading. Taking ESL classes is the best way to a beautiful future.

Yanshu Li | Recent ESL Graduate

A student studying

A few words from our students

 

Flexible Schedules

We offer both daytime and evening classes in the fall and spring semesters. The classes meet twice a week (either on Mondays and Wednesdays or on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and go for 15 weeks. In the summer semester, basic and intermediate classes are offered. They meet in the daytime three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday, for 10 weeks. All classes meet at the Centennial Campus at 5675 S. Academy Blvd. Take a look at our current schedule.
A student listening
Students studying

Registering for Fall 2023

We hope you can study with us this coming semester! 

Please follow these steps to register:

  1. Complete a PPSC Application. You will receive a Student Number.

  2. Take the ESL Placement Test. Testing is at the Centennial Campus on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:30am, 11:00am, and 2:00pm, and on Fridays at 9:00am, 11:00am and 2:00pm.  An appointment is required. Please call 719-502-3370 or email testing.center@pikespeak.edu to schedule an appointment.

  3. Meet with an ESL Advisor. Please call 719-502-3535 to make an appointment. Be sure to bring your test results to your appointment.

Registration begins April 3. Register as early as possible to get the best schedule. Class sizes are limited. If you would like to apply for Financial Aid, please complete the FAFSA by July for fall semester.

Many of our students receive Financial Aid. If you are not eligible to receive Financial Aid or other assistance in paying for classes, please consider applying for The Open Scholarship.

Important Dates:

Registration for Summer/Fall Semesters begins: April 3

Summer Semester: May 30 - August 3

Fall Semester: August 21 - December 7

Register as early as possible to get the best schedule.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Need more information?

English as a Second Language

Centennial Campus, Room F200
719-502-3535
ESL@pikespeak.edu