ESL Assessment

ESL Students: Start Here!

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NEW Assessment Process

• If you attended a U.S. high school, we may be able to use your high school transcript to help you find the right class to begin studying English as a Second Language at De Anza.
• If you didn't attend a U.S. high school, you can use our ESL Guided Self-Placement tool to find the right class for you.
• This webpage will tell you how to get started with this process.

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First: Answer These Questions

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ESL Course Sequence 

The English as a Second Language (ESL) program offers a series of classes that can serve as a pathway for students who want to take transfer-level ESL and English courses. 

View the ESL course sequence

• Depending on your educational goal, you may need to complete transfer-level ESL courses, transfer-level English courses, or both.
• If you are an ESL student, you must complete at least two courses – ESL 272 (or 472) and ESL 273 (or 473) – or be placed into ESL 5, before you can be assessed for English.

Your counselor can help you decide and plan which courses you will take.

• Most ESL students can speak with an English Performance Success (EPS) counselor
• F-1 visa students should speak with an International Student Programs (ISP) counselor

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FAQs and More Information

• What is the ESL program?

  The English as a Second Language (ESL) program is for students who didn't learn English as their primary language.

  The ESL Department at De Anza offers courses at multiple levels, so you can develop and improve your abilities in reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and pronunciation.

  ESL courses can help you

  • Build your language skills in preparation to successfully complete English and other college courses
  • Achieve your professional and personal goals
  • Feel confident and able to participate in a community
  • Earn course credit for transfer – ESL 5 and ESL 6 meet CSU General Education/Breadth Requirements for California State University (CSU)
  • Earn degrees or certificates – ESL 5 and ESL 6 meet the General Education/Breadth requirements for A.A. and A.S. degrees
  • Improve your communication skills – the ESL department offers classes that focus exclusively on improving your listening and speaking abilities

• What is the difference between English and ESL?

  English courses focus on college-level reading and writing with an emphasis on analysis and literature. English courses do not include grammar, writing, reading or speaking instruction for those who did not learn English as their primary language.

  ESL courses focus on the development of language skills. ESL courses cover the following areas for those who did not learn English as their primary language.

  • Grammar
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Speaking and pronunciation

  
  In addition, the ESL program includes courses that will prepare you for advanced ESL study as well as for English courses.

• Should I take English or ESL?

  If English is not your first language, taking ESL classes can help you improve your speaking, reading and writing skills. 

  ESL is probably best for you if

  • You are still learning English, or
  • You went to school where all subjects were taught in a language other than English, or
  • You don't feel confident about listening to college lectures, reading textbooks and writing academic essays in English

   

  Some students may be ready to take standard English classes, if they

  • Speak English most of the time with friends and co-workers, or
  • Attended a school – for several years – where all the classes were taught in English 

   

  In order to take standard English classes, instead of ESL, you must demonstrate English proficiency before you can be assessed for transfer-level English. You can do that by

  • Submitting your U.S. high school transcript information for assessment – provided that you completed at least grades 9-11 in a U.S. high school – OR
  • Completing the online assessment

   

  De Anza will NOT accept any other assessments for ESL or English course placement, such as iTEP, O-Level Exams, TOEFL or IB.

• What is advanced ESL?

  De Anza's ESL program includes two transfer-level courses.

  • ESL 5: Advanced Composition and Reading 
    • Meets California State University General Education/Breadth requirements in Area A2: Written Communication
    • Meets the University of California IGETC requirements in Area A1: English Composition 
    • Meets General Education requirements for A.A. and A.S. degrees in Area A1: English Composition
       
  • ESL 6: Critical Reading and Research for Writing
    • Meets the University of California IGETC requirements in Area 3B: Humanities
    • Meets General Education requirements for A.A. and A.S. degrees in Area C2: Arts and Humanities

• What if I am a beginning English learner?

  The ESL Program begins with ESL 200/ESL 400 (noncredit, tuition-free). Any student can register for ESL 200/400 without an assessment. But in general, we encourage all students to complete the assessment process to find out which course is the right one for you to take first.

  • If you attended a U.S. high school, we can use your high school transcript to tell you which ESL class you should take first.
  • If you didn't attend a U.S. high school, you can take the Guided Self-Placement.

   

  Did you attend a U.S. high school for three or more years?

  IF YES, Click here

  IF NO, CLICK HERE

• Do you offer free classes?

  Yes! De Anza now offers noncredit ESL classes that are tuition-free.

  These classes do not provide academic credit toward a degree or transfer, but they are an excellent way to improve your skills. They can be a first step to entering and succeeding in college.

  A noncredit course can satisfy requirements for taking a lower-level course so you can advance to a higher level of ESL.

  • To learn more, visit the Noncredit ESL Classes webpage. 

• Do you offer tutoring or practice support?

  Once you've applied, and you've received your De Anza student ID number, known as a Campus Wide ID (CWID), you can practice with a Student Success Center tutor.

• Can I take free classes as a nonresident or F-1 visa student? 

  Yes, anyone can take noncredit classes for FREE!

  (Remember that noncredit classes will not count to satisfy the minimum credit load requirement for F-1 visa students.)

Learn More About FREE ESL Classes