English as a Second Language Noncredit
17 courses · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ESLN 309A ESL - Foundations
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
This foundation-level comprehensive English as a Second Language course emphasizes the development of the very basic English literacy skills. This course is for ESLN students who require basic skills development in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
ESLN 310A ESL - Comprehensive I
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 309A or self-placement or instructor recommendation.
This Level I (low-beginning) comprehensive English as a Second Language course introduces students to the main structures of functional American grammar and stresses the simple present and present continuous tenses in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
ESLN 310B ESL - Comprehensive II
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310A or self-placement or instructor recommendation.
This Level II comprehensive English as a Second Language course reinforces previously learned grammatical structures, as well as reading, writing, listening and speaking skills from Level I, with emphasis on developing a higher level of fluency in these areas.
ESLN 310C ESL - Comprehensive III
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310B or self-placement or instructor recommendation.
This Level III comprehensive English as a Second Language course reinforces grammatical structures, as well as reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills from Levels I and II and stresses the past, present perfect, and present perfect progressive tenses. Emphasis is placed on expanding the students' oral, reading, and writing fluency in English.
ESLN 310D ESL - Comprehensive IV
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310C or self-placement or instructor recommendation.
This Level IV comprehensive English as a Second Language course reinforces grammatical structures from Level III and stresses verb patterns and use of gerunds and infinitives. Emphasis is on developing the student's reading and oral fluency and the ability to compose a paragraph using Standard English word order and learned conventions.
ESLN 310E ESL - Comprehensive V
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 192
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310D or self-placement or instructor recommendation.
This Level V comprehensive course provides a bridge for non-credit non-native speakers of English preparing to enroll in credit academic and vocational classes. The course provides a basic introduction to the writing process and the development of critical-thinking skills. The course emphasizes communication fluency in authentic personal and academic modes.
ESLN 360A Vocational ESL for the Workplace I
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310B or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or instructor recommendation..
Vocational English as a Second Language for the Workplace I focuses on language skills and cultural competency necessary for the workplace. Students learn employment-related language and understand the culture and expectations of their new environment and workplace.
ESLN 360B Vocational ESL for the Workplace II
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 360A or ESLN 310C or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or instructor recommendation..
Vocational English as a Second Language for the Workplace II reinforces the skills taught in the first course of the series. Students continue to acquire employment-related vocabulary and get more in-depth information about strategies to obtain employment and be successful at work.
ESLN 387A ESL Conversation & Vocabulary - Foundations
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
This foundations-level course in English as a Second Language Conversation focuses on vocabulary building and communication skills relevant to the students' daily lives.
ESLN 388A ESL Conversation I - Low Beginning
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 387A or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation.
This first level course in English as a Second Language Conversation focuses on simple communication skills relevant to the students' daily lives.
ESLN 388B ESL Conversation II - High Beginning
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 388A or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation.
This second level course in English as a Second Language Conversation reinforces skills taught in Level I and emphasizes vocabulary and phrases used in real-life situations.
ESLN 388C ESL Conversation III - Low Intermediate
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 388B or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation.
This third level course in English as a Second Language Conversation reinforces skills presented in Level II and emphasizes skills needed to communicate in small group situations.
ESLN 388D ESL Conversation IV - High Intermediate
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 388C or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation.
This fourth-level course in English as a Second Language Conversation focuses on extended use of oral language in various conversational situations. Students engage in conversations, discussions, and presentations.
ESLN 388E ESL Conversation V - Low Advanced
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 388D or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation.
This fifth-level course in English as a Second Language Conversation focuses on refining conversation skills within the context of life in the U.S. and current topics. Students will engage in conversations, discussions, and presentations.
ESLN 389A ESL - Introductory Computer Skills
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 64
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310C or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation..
The Introductory Computer Skills course for ESL noncredit students focuses on the acquisition of computer terminology and a basic understanding of computer technology. Students will continue to develop their English language skills using a computer.
ESLN 390A ESL - Pronunciation & Vocabulary 1
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 48
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310A or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation..
This noncredit course is designed to help high-beginning to low-intermediate level students to better communicate orally through practice in recognition and production of the sounds, syllables, stress, and intonation of Standard American English words. In addition, students will learn about word meaning and usage and receive help with common errors for conversation purposes. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence in oral production through enhanced clarity of communication as well as vocabulary acquisition.
ESLN 390B ESL - Pronunciation & Vocabulary 2
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 48
- Prerequisite
- ESLN 310C or ESLN 390A or appropriate ESLN Placement Test or Instructor recommendation..
This noncredit course is designed to help high-intermediate to low-advanced level students to better communicate orally through practice in recognition and production of the sounds, syllables, rhythm, and intonation of Standard American English words. In addition, students will learn about word meaning and usage and receive help with common errors for conversation purposes. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence in oral production through enhanced clarity of communication as well as vocabulary acquisition.