English as a Second Language (ESL)
The mission of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department is to prepare students with adequate listening, speaking, reading, writing, and academic skills to enable them to be successful in everyday situations, vocational settings, and transfer-level classes.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at El Camino College has existed for over 25 years. During that time, it has served students from almost 100 different countries. The department has a large faculty highly qualified in English, second language acquisition, and linguistics. Many of the instructors are bilingual and have lived abroad.
🎥 Watch this short video to learn which ESL program is right for you.
Getting Started is Easy! Choose Your ESL Program and Follow the Enrollment Steps
Step 1: 🎥 Watch our short ESL Overview Video and learn about our ESL Program
ESL Course Sequence:
Review the course sequence below to see the progression of Credit and Mirrored ESL classes.
Step 2: Apply
To enroll in ESL credit and mirrored (advanced noncredit) courses:
✅ Create your CCC Account.
✅ Complete the El Camino College Application.
Application Instructions:
Need help?
📍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 3: Complete Your Placement
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
Login Information
Username
Your MyECC email
Password (first-time users)
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
Step 4: 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 5: 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)
Step 1: 🎥 Watch our short ESL Overview Video and learn about our ESL Program
NESL Course Sequence:
Review the course sequence below to see the progression of Noncredit ESL classes.
Step 2: Apply
Complete the Lumens application to receive your El Camino College student ID number.
Need help?
📍 ESL office at SOCS 101
Monday through Friday(Closed Fridays 6/26-8/14 2026)
9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Step 3: Complete Your Placement Test
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: 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 5: Register for Classes
Once you receive your El Camino College student ID number and completed your placement testyou can register for classes.
Need help?
📍 ESL office at SOCS 101
Monday through Friday(Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Credit vs. Mirrored vs. Noncredit ESL
El Camino College (ECC) has two ESL programs, the CREDIT program and the NONCREDIT program. Our goal is to help you reach your educational goal(s). Per state legislation (AB 705), all students can register directly for transfer-level coursework. Colleges like ECC utilize multiple measures to place students in ESL courses. Please see the chart below and find out which ESL program is best for you!
|
Credit ESL |
Mirrored Courses (Noncredit) |
Noncredit ESL |
|
|
Curriculum |
Classes that will count towards a degree or certificate in any of a wide variety of careers. |
Mirrored classes are exact replicas of credit classes; only they are noncredit. Students attend class with credit students and are expected to do the same work. |
Courses focused on helping students communicate in English at home, at work, and in the community. |
|
Units per Class |
4 units Summer 2022 Please note: 5 units starting Fall 2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
International (F1 Visa) Students |
Please contact the International Student Program regarding the classes you need to take |
DO NOT TAKE |
DO NOT TAKE |
|
ECC Courses *Not all classes will be offered every semester |
Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation ESL 51 A – Elementary ESL 51 B – Intermediate ESL 51 C – Advanced
Reading and Vocabulary Building ESL 52 A – Elementary ESL 52 B – Intermediate ESL 52 C – Advanced Writing and Grammar ESL 53 A – Elementary ESL 53 B – Intermediate ESL 53 C – Advanced |
*The spots per class offered are limited Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation NESL 51 A – Elementary NESL 51 B – Intermediate NESL 51 C – Advanced
Reading and Vocabulary Building NESL 52 A – Elementary NESL 52 B – Intermediate NESL 52 C – Advanced
Writing and Grammar NESL 53 A – Elementary NESL 53 B – Intermediate NESL 53 C – Advanced |
Noncredit ESL NESL 600 NESL 601 NESL 602 NESL 603 NESL 604 NESL 605
ESL for Health Care I & II ESL for Childhood Educators I & II ESL Support for Career and Technical Programs ESL for Math I & II ESL for Medical Terminology ESL for Anatomy and Physiology I & II ESL for Radiological Technology I |
|
Placement |
After submitting your ECC application and receiving your student ID number, you can complete the survey placement remotely by visiting the following link: Credit & Mirrored ESL Placement You're also welcome to visit our office to complete your survey placement. Please call us at 310-660-6457 to schedule an appointment. |
Ater completing your Noncredit application and receiving your student ID number, you can complete your CASAS placement test. Please call us at 310-660-6457 to schedule an appointment. |
|
|
Cost |
Tuition & Fees |
FREE |
FREE |
|
Contact |
Community and Continuing Education Center, SOCS 101 310-660-6457 |
||
Resources Available for our El Camino College ESL students:
Academic Counseling Services (Social Science Bldg., Room 101
Specialized Tutoring for ESL Learners
and much more...
Personal Care Aide Certificate
International Students
If you are an international student and want to take ESL classes at the college, you can get information from the International Student Program at (310) 660-3431. International students need a TOEFL score of at least 450. If an international student's TOEFL score is lower than 450, they can take classes at El Camino Language Academy before meeting the 450 TOEFL score requirement.
If you wish to discuss further your ESL placment results and/or challenge an ESL prerequisite, please get in touch with the Dean of Humanities, Scott Kushigemachi, at [email protected]
FALL 2026 COURSES
Questions?
If you'd like to visit, the ESL Office is located at the Community and Continuing Education Office in Social Science 101. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed Fridays 6/26 - 8/14)
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 310-660-6457. We're here to help you get started!
Survey
El Camino College offers a variety of free ESL classes that prepare students for specific academic subjects and careers. Please complete the following survey to let us know which courses you are interested in taking.