English as a Second Language (ESL)

 

Compare Our ESL Programs	Credit ESL	Mirrored ESL (Advanced Noncredit)	Noncredit ESL
Best For	Academic ESL courses offered at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels for students who want to strengthen their English for college, work, and personal goals.	Tuition-free noncredit courses offered at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels that mirror Credit ESL. Students attend class with Credit ESL students and complete the same coursewo	Free, open-entry/open-exit courses ranging from beginning to advanced levels that help students develop English skills for everyday communication, work, college, and personal growth.
Units	5 units	0	0
Cost	Fee based (click here for more info)	FREE	FREE
College Credit	✔ Yes	✘ No	✘ No
Grade	Letter Grade	Pass / No Pass	Pass / No Pass
Enrollment	Semester	Semester	Open-Entry / Open-Exit
International Students (F-1 Visa)	Please contact the International Student Program before enrolling.	Not available for F-1 students.	Not available for F-1 students.
Courses Offered	Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation (ESL 51A–C) Reading & Vocabulary (ESL 52A–C) Writing & Grammar (ESL 53A–C)	Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation (ESL 51A–C) Reading & Vocabulary (ESL 52A–C) Writing & Grammar (ESL 53A–C) Limited seating available.	NESL 600–605 ESL for Health Care I & II ESL for Childhood Educators I & II ESL Support for Career & Technical Programs ESL for Math I & II ESL for Medical Terminology ESL for Anatomy & Physiology I & II ESL for Radiological Technology I
Placement	Complete the Credit & Mirrored ESL Placement Survey after submitting your application and receiving your MyECC student ID.	Same as Credit ESL	Complete the CASAS Placement Assessment after submitting your Noncredit application and receiving your student ID.
Contact	Community & Continuing Education Office SOCS 101 [email protected] (310) 660-6457	Same	Same

Credit ESL courses earn college credit and receive a letter grade. Mirrored ESL courses provide the same instruction, curriculum, and classroom experience as Credit ESL courses, free of charge, and receive a Pass/No Pass grade.

 

View Credit & Mirrored ESL Course Sequence

Step 1: Apply

To enroll in ESL credit and mirrored (advanced noncredit) courses:

Create your CCC Account.

Complete the El Camino College Application.

Application Instructions:

English |Español

Need help?

Visit:

• ESL office at SOCS 101, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm(Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)
• Warrior Welcome Center in Student Services Building, Room 148, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)

If you have an F1-Visa, please apply at the International Student Program

Step 2: Complete your placement survey

Once you receive your El Camino student ID number, complete the ESL Placement Survey.

You may complete it:

• Remotely
• At the Community & Continuing Education Office

First-Time Login

Username: Your MyECC email

Password: Your birthdate (MMDDYY)

Example: January 5, 2004 → 010504

 

👉 Click here to complete your Placement Survey.

 

Please note: If you choose to complete the assessment in person, an appointment is required.  

Placement Testing Times:

Monday & Thursday: 9:30 AM

Wednesday: 12:30 PM

Questions About Your Placement?

If you have questions about your ESL placement results, please contact the ESL Office at [email protected] or (310) 660-6457.

Students who wish to challenge an ESL prerequisite or placement recommendation should contact Scott Kushigemachi, Dean of Humanities, at [email protected].

Step 3: Attend an orientation (optional)

Explore the many resources available to support ESL students on campus — including how to navigate your MyECC student portal, use Canvas, and much more.

Step 4: Register for classes

After completing your placement:

Register for classes.

Registration Instructions
 English | Español.

Need help?

Visit:

• ESL office at SOCS 101, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm(Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)
•  Warrior Welcome Center in Student Services Building, Room 148, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)

Noncredit ESL courses are free and offered in an open-entry/open-exit format, allowing eligible students to enroll throughout the semester as space becomes available. These courses are designed to help students improve their English for everyday communication, work, college, and personal growth in a supportive learning environment.

View Noncredit ESL Course Sequence

Step 1: Apply

To enroll in ESL noncredit courses:

Create your  Lumens application to receive your El Camino College student ID number.

Application Instructions.

Need help?

Visit:

ESL office at SOCS 101

Monday through Friday(Closed Fridays 6/26-8/14 2026)

9:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

Step 2: Complete your placement exams

Schedule and complete your CASAS Placement Test (Listening and Reading).

Please note: This assessment must be completed in person, and an appointment is required.

Placement Testing Times:

Monday & Thursday: 9:30 AM

Wednesday: 12:30 PM

Step 4: Register for classes

After completing your placement:

Register for classes.

Registration Instructions
 English | Español.

Need help?

Visit:

• ESL office at SOCS 101, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm(Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)
• Warrior Welcome Center in Student Services Building, Room 148, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)