# English as a Second Language (NESL) courses Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 8 courses Source: https://riohondo.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/22175/25326/23988/25455/24028 "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027. ### NESL 001 — ESL Beginning I - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md) This course is suitable for the true beginner to the English language. This entry level course focuses on the acquisition of basic speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to meet immediate social communication needs in an English-speaking environment. Successful completion of this course prepares students to enter NESL 015. ### NESL 015 — ESL Beginning II - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Prerequisite:** NESL 001 or equivalent placement (CASAS Appraisal) - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course is designed to provide an introduction to English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills enabling the student to satisfy routine demands in social settings. Students develop the ability to comprehend and respond to basic spoken English. Students practice reading and writing at the sentence level. If taken in sequence with NESL 001, successful completion of this course earns a Certificate of Competency in Foundational English as a Second Language and prepares students for entry into NESL 016. ### NESL 016 — ESL Intermediate I - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Prerequisite:** NESL 015 or equivalent placement (CASAS Appraisal) - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course focuses on expanding students' listening and speaking skills in face-to-face conversations in social, academic, and work contexts. Students gain ability to read and interpret narrative passages on a variety of topics, and to write simple routine correspondence and short paragraphs. Upon successful completion of this course students are prepared to enter NESL 017. ### NESL 017 — ESL Intermediate II - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Prerequisite:** NESL 016 or equivalent placement (CASAS Appraisal) - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/summer-2026/nesl.md); Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course focuses on preparing English learners to communicate independently and effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences. Students practice engaging in extended conversations, reading for comprehension of authentic texts, and writing multiple paragraphs with good command of grammar conventions. If taken in sequence with NESL 016, successful completion of this course earns a Certificate of Competency in Intermediate English as a Second Language and prepares students for entry into NESL 018. ### NESL 018 — ESL Advanced I - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Prerequisite:** NESL 017 or equivalent placement (CASAS Appraisal) - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 3 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course stresses the refinement and expansion of language skills which enable students to use fluid-paced English to effectively meet social, academic, and workplace demands. Reading for comprehension focuses on factual extraction as well as interpretation using critical thinking skills. Progression of writing skills focuses on the introduction of the writing process and the construct well-developed compositions. If taken in sequence with NESL 017, successful completion of this course earns a Certificate of Competency in Advanced English as a Second Language and prepares students for direct entry to Rio Hondo College’s Credit English Program. ### NESL 019 — ESL Advanced II: College Preparation - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Prerequisite:** NESL 018 or equivalent placement - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) The College Preparation course is the highest Noncredit ESL level designed for students who wish to prepare for transition into various academic programs at the college level. This course reinforces and builds on students’ English language skills to meet the academic expectations of college courses. Students are introduced to basic elements of an academic course: understanding the syllabus, note-taking, participating in discussion, interpreting written texts, composing essays, and making presentations. Students practice these academic skills in a supportive language-learning community. If taken in sequence with NESL 018, the successful completion of this course earns the Certificate of Competency in English for College Preparation and prepares students for direct entry to Rio Hondo College’s Credit English Program. ### NESL 020 — ESL Basic-Intermediate Conversation - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 4 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/summer-2026/nesl.md); Fall 2026, 6 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 5 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course focuses on basic-intermediate verbal communication within routine situations common in everyday life to promote confidence in English-speaking settings. Emphasis is on communication/conversations within school, work, and community domains. This course is for students aiming to enhance spoken English proficiency. ### NESL 021 — ESL Advanced Conversation - **Units:** 0 - **Hours:** 30-60 Lecture, 0 Lab - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/nesl.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/nesl.md) This course is for students at an advanced level of English as a Second Language (ESL). The course focuses on advanced verbal communication within routine situations common in everyday life to promote confidence in English-speaking settings. Emphasis is on communication/conversations within school, work, and community domains.