English As a Second Language
34 courses · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ESL 091 College Reading and Writing 2
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 302 with P or placement based on assessment
Students will write a variety of advanced ESL level texts that exhibit depth, relevance, and complexity in idea development. Compositions will include a short problem-solution paper using outside sources and MLA format, and a technical report. Students will also apply literal, inferential, interpretive reading, and critical thinking skills, likewise, enhance skills in vocabulary comprehension and acquisition and the advanced level of language learning. Reading materials highlighting current issues and topics of interest across cultures will include articles, essays, a technical report, and literary works. This course is designed for non-native speakers of English one level below English 1A.
ESL 099 Advanced Reading and Writing About American Culture
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 302 with P grade
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will write a variety of texts that exhibit depth, relevance, and complexity in idea development. Students will also apply literal, inferential, interpretive reading, and critical thinking skills, likewise, enhance skills in vocabulary comprehension and acquisition and the advanced level of language learning. Reading materials will highlight the human condition and cultural representation, especially those of immigrant cultures within the United States, and will include literary works, articles, essays, and a technical report. This course is designed for non-native speakers of English in preparation for ENGL 1A-English Composition.
ESL 302 Introduction to College Reading and Writing
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5.5, Lab Hours: 1.5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 312 and ESL 313, both with a P grade or placement based on assessment.
Students will focus on writing essays that exhibit the depth and complexity of low-advanced language level academic texts. They will study language elements used to present clear and effective thesis statements. They will evaluate a variety of texts that demonstrate the ways writers express ideas for a variety of purposes and intent. Students will also continue to improve skills in academic and extensive reading, critical thinking, and vocabulary acquisition. Reading materials will highlight current issues and topics of interest across cultures including articles, essays, and literary works. This course is designed for non-native speakers of English two levels below ENGL C1000.
ESL 312 Introduction to the Essay
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 322 or ESL 522 and ESL 323 or ESL 523 and ESL 324 or ESL 524; Minimum grade P
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 313/513 and/or ESL 314/514 is highly recommended.
Students will read and write multiple-paragraph compositions with the depth and complexity of high-intermediate academic texts. They will expand their study of well-written paragraphs to include short essays on academic topics. They will acquire grammar, writing, revision, and editing skills for college-level academic work. Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312L is required for computer-assisted grammar and writing practice with lab assistance. ESL 312 is a high-intermediate writing course for non-native speakers of English three levels below ENGL C1000.
ESL 312L Skills Development Lab
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 1.5
- Corequisite
- ESL 312
This laboratory course is required learning assistance for students enrolled in ESL 312. Students will receive individualized instructional support and use educational software that expands their experience with writing short essays.
ESL 313 Introduction to College Reading
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- (ESL 322 or ESL 522) and (ESL 323 or ESL 523) and (ESL 324 or ESL 524) or (Self-placement based on the guided self-placement tool.)
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312/512 or ESL 314/514 or ESL 508 is highly recommended.
Students will acquire reading and vocabulary skills at a high-intermediate level of English proficiency. They will read and respond to introductory college-level texts, develop literal and critical comprehension, and expand vocabulary for academic purposes.
ESL 314 High-Intermediate Listening and Speaking Skills
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 324 or ESL 524 with CR or placement based on assessment.
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312/512 or ESL 313/513 or ESL 508 is highly recommended.
Students will refine listening comprehension and speaking skills in academic, vocational, and social contexts at the high-intermediate level. Students will participate in class activities and use multimedia materials focused on improving aural comprehension, oral communication, and clear pronunciation in a variety of contexts.
ESL 317 English Pronunciation 3
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 324 or ESL 524 or ESL 327 or ESL 527 or Placement based on assessment
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312 or ESL 313 or ESL 314 is highly recommended.
Students will develop skills to improve their pronunciation of American English. They will utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet to distinguish the sounds of English and produce comprehensible discourse. Students will participate in class activities and use multimedia materials focused on intonation differentiation, stress, and pitch patterns in order to signal shifts in sentence type and focus. They use contractions, reductions, and assimilation of sounds to produce patterns of connected speech.
ESL 322 Paragraph Development
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 532 with P or placement based on assessment.
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment strongly recommended in ESL 323 or ESL 523 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524.
Students will develop intermediate level writing proficiency. They will write paragraphs and journals on various topics to acquire grammar, writing, and lexical skills. Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322L is required for computer-assisted grammar and writing practice with lab assistance.Concurrent enrollment strongly recommended in ESL 323 or ESL 523 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524.
ESL 322L ESL Skills Development Lab
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 1.5
- Corequisite
- ESL 322
This laboratory course is required learning assistance for students enrolled in ESL 322. Students will receive individualized instructional support and use educational software that expands their experience with paragraphing and sentence level grammar.
ESL 323 Reading and Vocabulary Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 532 with a P or placement based on assessment.
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or ESL 522 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524 and/or ESL 508.
Students will acquire reading and vocabulary skills at the intermediate level of proficiency in English. Students will develop reading comprehension and vocabulary development and engage in discussion and writing activities. Strongly recommended: Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524 and/or ESL 508.
ESL 324 Listening and Speaking Skills Development
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 4
- Prerequisite
- ESL 531 with P or placement based on assessment.
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 323 or 523 and/or ESL 508 is strongly recommended.
Students will learn listening skills such as inferring speaker's point of view, intent, and tone, recognizing target vocabulary and idioms, identifying events in sequence, and applying note-taking skills. Students will also learn speaking skills at the intermediate level of proficiency such as using effective discussion techniques to exchange and verify information, request clarification, interrupt a conversation, express opinions, and prepare for, create, and deliver short oral presentations. Strongly recommended: Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 323 or 523 and/or ESL 508.
ESL 327 English Pronunciation 2
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 531 with a P grade or placement based on assessment
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses or Low-intermediate English language proficiency.
Students will further their study of the pronunciation, intonation, stress, and rhythm patterns of English. Students are introduced to the phonetic alphabet and study the sound-spelling correlations of English. This course also provides further instruction on the production of sounds in word-initial and word-final environments, intonation and stress patterns in multi-syllabic words, and native-like sentence stress, rhythm and intonation. Multimedia and online resources supplement the course.
ESL 500 ESL in the Health Care Setting
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses
Students will study listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for a variety of tasks associated with health care. This course is designed as the part of the Medical Career Preparation CTE Program. Students acquire language, vocabulary, and cultural information necessary for communicating in English with patients and their families, health care providers, and health service co-workers.
ESL 508 ESL Skills Lab
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 1.5
- Corequisite
- Be enrolled in any SJCC course.
Students will use educational software and online formats that expand and enrich the learning experience beyond the classroom. This open entry/open exit course provides individualized support for English Language Learners in need of English skills improvement. This course provides supplemental support for English Language Learners enrolled in any SJCC course.
ESL 510 ESL for Computers and Computing
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses
Students will be introduced to the language used in operating and supporting the computer and computing processes. Students will gain knowledge of basic vocabulary related to computers and computing.
ESL 511A Computer Skills: Learning Management Tools
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1
- Advisory
- Low-intermediate English Skills or completed Level 4 or 5 ESL at an adult school.
Students learn the basics of using Canvas, Zoom, and other ESL digital program tools to facilitate learning English in their ESL classes. Students will study the basic features of the programs to enable them to get information, do activities as instructed, and submit information for their classes through these digital learning tools.
ESL 511B Computer Skills: Word Processing and Presentation
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1
- Advisory
- Low-intermediate English Skills or completed Level 4 or 5 ESL at an adult school.
Students will study the basics of using word processing programs like Microsoft Word and Google Docs for their ESL class tasks and assignments. Student will perform word processing skills of: creating and formatting documents, revising and editing content, tracking changes and comments, using tables and templates, inserting images, and using styles. In addition, students will learn class presentation tools like Powerpoint.
ESL 511C Computer Skills: SJCC Services, Webpages, and Programs
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 1
- Advisory
- Low-intermediate English Skills or completed Level 4 or 5 ESL at an adult school.
Students will be introduced to the digital systems of SJCC as an educational institution, e.g. MyWeb and instructions and information on the webpages of the offices and services of the San Jose City College website. Students will also study the various array of services that SJCC offers the students and generally, their educational options while at and after being at SJCC.
ESL 512 Introduction to the Essay
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 322 or ESL 522 and ESL 323 or ESL 523 and ESL 324 or ESL 524; all with P grade. (Or self-placement based on the guided self-placement tool).
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 313/513 and/or ESL 314/514 is highly recommended.
This is the noncredit version of ESL 312. Students will read and write multiple-paragraph compositions with the depth and complexity of high-intermediate academic texts. They will expand their study of well-written paragraphs to include short essays on academic topics. They will acquire grammar, writing, revision, and editing skills for college-level academic work. Concurrent enrollment in ESL 512L is required for computer-assisted grammar and writing practice with lab assistance. ESL 512 is a high-intermediate writing course for non-native speakers of English three levels below ENGL C1000.
ESL 512L Skills Development Lab
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 1.5
This is the noncredit version of ESL 312L. This laboratory course is required learning assistance for students enrolled in ESL 512. Students will receive individualized instructional support and use educational software that expands their experience with writing short essays.
ESL 513 Introduction to College Reading
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- Take ESL 322 or ESL 522 and ESL 323 or ESL 523 and ESL 324 or ESL 524 or (Self-placement based on the guided self-placement tool.)
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312/512 or ESL 314/514 or ESL 508 is highly recommended.
This is the noncredit version of ESL 313. Students will acquire reading and vocabulary skills at a high-intermediate level of English proficiency. They will read and respond to introductory college-level texts, develop literal and critical comprehension, and expand vocabulary for academic purposes.
ESL 514 High-Intermediate Listening and Speaking Skills
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 324 or ESL 524 or self-placement based on the guided self-placement tool
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312/512 or ESL 313/513 or ESL 508 is highly recommended.
This is the noncredit version of ESL 314. Students will refine listening comprehension and speaking skills in academic, vocational, and social contexts at the high-intermediate level. Students will participate in class activities and use multimedia materials focused on improving aural comprehension, oral communication, and clear pronunciation in a variety of contexts.
ESL 517 English Pronunciation 3
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 324 or ESL 524 or ESL 327 or ESL 527 or Placement based on assessment
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312/512 or ESL 313/513 or ESL 314/514 is highly recommended.
This is the noncredit version of ESL 317. Students will develop skills to improve their pronunciation of American English. They will utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet to distinguish the sounds of English and produce comprehensible discourse. Students will participate in class activities and use multimedia materials focused on intonation differentiation, stress, and pitch patterns in order to signal shifts in sentence type and focus. They will use contractions, reductions, and assimilation of sounds to produce patterns of connected speech.
ESL 522 Paragraph Development
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 5
- Prerequisite
- ESL 532 with P grade
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment strongly recommended in ESL 323 or ESL 523 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524.
This is a noncredit version of ESL 322. Students will develop intermediate level writing proficiency. They will write paragraphs and journals on various topics to acquire grammar, writing, and lexical skills. Concurrent enrollment in ESL 522L is required for computer-assisted grammar and writing practice with lab assistance. Concurrent enrollment strongly recommended in ESL 323 or ESL 523 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524.
ESL 522L ESL Skills Development Lab
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 1.5
- Corequisite
- ESL 522
This is the non-credit version of ESL 322L. This laboratory course is required learning assistance for students enrolled in ESL 522. Students will receive individualized instructional support and use educational software that expands their experience with paragraphing and sentence level grammar.
ESL 523 Reading and Vocabulary Development
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 532
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or ESL 522 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524 and/or ESL 508.
This is a noncredit version of ESL 323. Students will acquire reading and vocabulary skills at the intermediate level of proficiency in English. Students will develop reading comprehension and vocabulary development and engage in discussion and writing activities. Strongly recommended:Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 324 or ESL 524 and/or ESL 508.
ESL 524 Intermediate Listening and Speaking Skills
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 4
- Prerequisite
- ESL 531 with P grade
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 323 or 523 and/or ESL 508 is strongly recommended.
This is a noncredit version of ESL 324. Students will learn listening skills such as inferring speaker's point of view, intent, and tone, recognizing target vocabulary and idioms, identifying events in sequence, and applying note-taking skills. Students will also learn speaking skills at the intermediate level of proficiency such as using effective discussion techniques to exchange and verify information, request clarification, interrupt a conversation, express opinions, and prepare for, create, and deliver short oral presentations. Strongly recommended: Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or 522 and/or ESL 323 or 523 and/or ESL 508.
ESL 527 English Pronunciation 2
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- ESL 531 or ESL 532 with P grade
This is a noncredit version of ESL 327. Students will further their study of the pronunciation, intonation, stress, and rhythm patterns of English. Students are introduced to the phonetic alphabet and study the sound-spelling correlations of English. This course also provides further instruction on the production of sounds in word-initial and word-final environments, intonation and stress patterns in multi-syllabic words, and native-like sentence stress, rhythm and intonation. Multimedia and online resources supplement the course.
ESL 531 Intermediate-Low Listening and Speaking
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 4
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses
Students will learn listening skills, such as distinguishing main ideas from details, and speaking skills, such as restating main ideas, asking questions, and exchanging information. This class is a non-credit academic intermediate-low listening and speaking skills course for non-native speakers of English.
ESL 532 Intermediate-Low Reading and Writing
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 6
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses
Students will learn writing techniques and grammar for composing sentences and short paragraphs. Students also study reading and vocabulary skills and strategies for the literal and critical comprehension of intermediate level ESL texts. This class is a non-credit academic intermediate-low reading and writing skills course for non-native speakers of English.
ESL 541 Grammar for Writers 1
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- It is strongly recommended that the student has completed higher levels of Adult Education ESL courses or is at the low-intermediate level of proficiency in ESL.
ESL students will study English grammar and syntactic structure at the intermediate level of language proficiency. Students will acquire skills in the use of grammar structures such as verb phrases, noun phrases, modification structures, and various sentence structures to make meaningful context and express meaning appropriately and accurately in oral and written discourse. Concurrent enrollment in ESL 322 or ESL 522 and ESL 508 is strongly recommended.
ESL 542 Grammar for Writers 2
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- It is strongly recommended that the student has completed ESL 541, or ESL 322, or has an ESL proficiency level of intermediate-high level.
Students will study English grammar and syntactic structure at the low-advanced level of proficiency. Students will explore the use of these structures in varying discourse contexts and for varied rhetorical purposes. Focus will be on expanding awareness and use of grammar and syntactic structures to express meaning accurately in oral and written discourse. Students will refine editing and revision skills.
ESL 550 ESL for the Workplace
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Advisory
- Completion of higher level Adult Education ESL courses or ESL 532 or Low-intermediate English language proficiency.
Students will study listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for a variety of tasks associated with workplaces. Vocabulary used in this course may be specifically geared towards the particular workplace area this course is offered for.