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Laney College

ESOL Courses

ESOL Courses

Course Descriptions and Student Learning Outcomes

Credit courses

  • Cost $ or CA residents can apply for financial aid
  • Cannot be repeated if you pass
  • 17-week classes (some 8 week workshops)
  • Grades: A, B, C, D, F, P, NP
  • Homework = class hours x 2
  • Can earn certificates of proficiency
  • Earn units

Non-credit courses

  • Free
  • Can repeat many times
  • 8-week Basic English classes, 17-week college-level classes
  • Grades: P, NP, SP
  • Homework: little or none
  • Can earn certificates of competency

Basic English classes
All Basic English classes are noncredit

Level A

ESOL 541A Basic English - Level A (8 weeks)

Introduction to basic English through the context of daily life activities: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; basics of language structures, form, computer literacy, classroom culture and study skills within the context of personal information and circumstances. 

  1. Students will become self-advocates by correctly filling out forms, contracts, and applications as needed for life in the United States.
  2. Students will use technology as it pertains to the context of the course.

Level B

ESOL 541B Basic English - Level B (8 weeks)

Continuation of ESOL 541A: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; basics of language structures and form, computer literacy, classroom culture and study skills within the context of jobs. 

  1. Students will apply job-related activities to their own job search.
  2. Students will use technology as it pertains to the content of the course.

Level C

ESOL 541C Basic English - Level C (8 weeks)

Continuation of ESOL 541B: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; basics of language structures, form, computer literacy, classroom culture and study skills within the context of academic life. 

  1. Students will develop education plans and other credit course readiness skills and materials
  2. Students will use Google software to organize class work.

Level D

ESOL 541D Bridge to Credit - Level D (8 weeks)

Continuation of ESOL 541C: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; basics of language structures, form, computer literacy, classroom culture and study skills within the context of life experience.

  1. Students will assemble a portfolio of projects to demonstrate credit course readiness.
  2. Students will use technology as it pertains to the content of the course.

College-level classes
All college-level classes are credit and noncredit

Level 1

ESOL 295A (0.5 Unit) / ESOL 595A (Noncredit)
COLLEGE READY SKILLS: Culture and Classroom Etiquette
 

College-ready skills in cultural conventions and classroom etiquette: Individualized instruction for beginning to low-intermediate English learners to explore cultural conventions and classroom etiquette to facilitate academic success.

  1. Students will integrate tutors’ and instructors’ guidance and comments into their work.

Level 2

ESOL 295B (0.5 Unit) / ESOL 595B (Noncredit)
COLLEGE READY SKILLS: Academic Success Strategies
 

Continuation of ESOL 295A:  Individualized instruction for beginning to low-intermediate English learners to explore American college expectations, study skills and strategies to facilitate academic success.

  1. Students will integrate tutors’ and instructors’ guidance and comments into their work.

Level 3

ESOL 295C (0.5 Unit) / ESOL 595C (Noncredit)
COLLEGE READY SKILLS: Best Study Practices
 

Continuation of ESOL 295B:  Individualized instruction for beginning to low-intermediate English learners to explore communication skills and further developing best study practices to facilitate academic success. 

  1. Students will integrate tutors’ and instructors’ guidance and comments into their work.

Level 4

ESOL 295D (0.5 Unit) / ESOL 595D (Noncredit)
COLLEGE READY SKILLS: Education Technology Skills
 

Continuation of ESOL 295C:  Individualized instruction for beginning to low-intermediate English learners to explore education technology skills to facilitate academic success. 

  1. Students will integrate tutors’ and instructors’ guidance and comments into their work.

Level 1

ESOL 271A, Grammar 1 (4 units)
ESOL 571, Grammar 1 (noncredit)

High beginning level of English grammar: Basic grammar structures, sentence patterns and parts of speech. 

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of some high beginning English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of some high beginning English grammatical structures.
  3. Use some high beginning English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas at the sentence level.

ESOL 271B, Grammar 1 (4 units)
ESOL 571, Grammar 1 (noncredit)

Continuation of 271A.  High beginning level of English grammar: Basic grammar structures, sentence patterns and parts of speech. 

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of high beginning English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of high beginning English grammatical structures.
  3. Use high beginning English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas in sustained written discourse.

Level 2

ESOL 272A, Grammar 2 (4 Units)
ESOL 572, Grammar 2 (noncredit)

Intermediate level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of some intermediate English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of some intermediate English grammatical structures.
  3. Use some intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas at the sentence level.

ESOL 272B, Grammar 2 (4 Units)
ESOL 572, Grammar 2 (noncredit)

Intermediate level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of intermediate English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of intermediate English grammatical structures.
  3. Use intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas in sustained written discourse.

Level 3

ESOL 273A, Grammar 3 (4 Units)
ESOL 573, Grammar 3 (noncredit)

High intermediate level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of some high intermediate English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of some high intermediate English grammatical structures.
  3. Use some high intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas at the sentence level.

ESOL 273B, Grammar 3 (4 Units)
ESOL 573, Grammar 3 (noncredit)

High intermediate level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of high intermediate English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of high intermediate English grammatical structures.
  3. Use high intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas in sustained written discourse.

Level 4

ESOL 274A, Grammar 4 (4 Units)
ESOL 574, Grammar 4 (noncredit)

Advanced level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of some advanced English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of some advanced English grammatical structures.
  3. Use some high intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas at the sentence level.

ESOL 274B, Grammar 4 (4 Units)
ESOL 574, Grammar 4 (noncredit)

Advanced level of English grammar

  1. Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of advanced English grammatical structures.
  2. Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of advanced English grammatical structures.
  3. Use advanced English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas in sustained written discourse.

Level 1

ESOL 261A Listening and Speaking 1 (4 units)
ESOL 561 Listening and Speaking 1 (noncredit)
High beginning level listening and speaking: Improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at a high beginning ESL level.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at a high beginning ESL level.
  3. Demonstrate high beginning ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

ESOL 261B Listening and Speaking 1 (4 units)
ESOL 561 Listening and Speaking 1 (noncredit)
Continuation of ESOL 261A: Improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at a low intermediate ESL level.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at a low intermediate ESL level.
  3. Demonstrate low intermediate ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

Level 2

ESOL 262A Listening and Speaking 2 (4 units)
ESOL 562 Listening and Speaking 2 (noncredit)
Intermediate level listening and speaking: Improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at an intermediate ESL level.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at an intermediate ESL level.
  3. Demonstrate intermediate ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

ESOL 262B Listening and Speaking 2 (4 units)
ESOL 562 Listening and Speaking 2 (noncredit)
Continuation of ESOL 262A: Improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at an intermediate ESL level.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at an intermediate ESL level.
  3. Demonstrate intermediate ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

Level 3

ESOL 263 A Listening and Speaking 3 (4 units)
ESOL 563 Listening and Speaking 3 (noncredit)
High intermediate level listening and speaking: improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at a high intermediate ESL level.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at a high intermediate ESL level
  3. Demonstrate high intermediate ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

ESOL 263 B Listening and Speaking 3 (4 units)
ESOL 563 Listening and Speaking 3 (noncredit)
Continuation of ESOL 263A: improving fluency and accuracy in American English through listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and presentation skills.

  1. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English at a high intermediate ESL level.
  2. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English at a high intermediate ESL level.
  3. Demonstrate high intermediate ESL knowledge and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

Advanced

ESOL 50A Advanced Listening and Speaking (4 units)
ESOL 550 Listening and Speaking 4 (noncredit)
Advanced level listening and speaking in American English: Listening comprehension, public speaking strategies, grammar, vocabulary, idioms and pronunciation.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English, including in discussions and presentations.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English.
  3. Demonstrate comprehension and use of American cultural conventions in oral communications.

ESOL 50B Oral Communication for Advanced ESOL Students (4 units)
ESOL 550 Listening and Speaking 4 (noncredit)
Continuation of ESOL 50A: Listening comprehension, public speaking strategies, grammar, vocabulary, idioms and pronunciation.

  1. Express ideas fluently, accurately, and appropriately in spoken American English, as required in first-year college courses.
  2. Comprehend and respond appropriately to spoken American English, as required in first-year college courses.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of and use American cultural conventions in oral communications as required in first-year college courses.

Level 1
ESOL 251A READING AND WRITING 1 (6 UNITS)
ESOL 511 READING AND WRITING 1 (NONCREDIT)

High beginning level of reading and writing: Fiction and non -fiction readings adapted for ESL; writing short narrative and descriptive paragraphs.

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences and paragraphs with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying some of the high beginning ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to partially comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas in high beginning ESOL texts.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level approaching that required for success as a high beginning ESOL student.

ESOL 251B READING AND WRITING 1 (6 UNITS)
ESOL 511 READING AND WRITING 1 (NONCREDIT)

Continuation of ESOL 251A: Fiction and non-fiction readings adapted for ESL; writing short narrative and descriptive paragraphs.

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences and paragraphs with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying high beginning ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas in high beginning ESOL texts.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level required for success as a high beginning ESOL student.

Level 2

ESOL 252A READING AND WRITING 2 (6 UNITS)
ESOL 512 READING AND WRITING 2 (NONCREDIT)

Intermediate level of reading and writing: Academic vocabulary and critical thinking skills using intermediate-level ESL reading materials; expanding paragraphs into simple narratives and essays

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences, paragraphs and essays with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying some of the intermediate ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to partially comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas in intermediate ESOL texts.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level approaching that required for success as an intermediate ESOL student.

ESOL 252B READING AND WRITING 2 (6 UNITS)
ESOL 512 READING AND WRITING 2 (NONCREDIT)

Continuation of ESOL 252B: Academic vocabulary and critical thinking skills using intermediate-level ESL reading materials; expanding paragraphs into simple narratives and essays. 

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences, paragraphs and essays with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying intermediate ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas in intermediate ESOL texts.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level required for success as an intermediate ESOL student

Level 3

ESOL 253 READING AND WRITING 3 (6 UNITS)
ESOL 513 READING AND WRITING 3 (NONCREDIT)

High intermediate level of reading and writing: Critical readings of essays, short academic texts, short stories, and/or a novel; writing well-developed essays and compositions. 

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences, paragraphs and essays with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying some of the high intermediate ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to partially comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas in high intermediate ESOL texts.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level approaching that required for success as a high intermediate ESOL student.

Level 4

ESOL 52 ADVANCED READING AND WRITING (6 UNITS)
ESOL 552 ADVANCED READING AND WRITING (NONCREDIT)

Advanced level of reading and writing: Focus on developing critical thinking skills, critical and analytical reading of college level texts, and writing of research and other academic papers. 

  1. Construct clear, effective, well-organized, well-developed, well-edited, and logically sound sentences, paragraphs and essays with appropriate citation of sources, satisfying advanced ESOL standards.
  2. Apply active reading strategies in order to partially comprehend, critically analyze, and explain ideas texts for college level courses.
  3. Participate in campus and classroom culture at a level approaching that required for success as a college freshman.
  4. Demonstrate emerging ability to locate and appropriately cite information from print and electronic sources— from libraries, the Internet, databases, and elsewhere—evaluate its relevance and reliability, and incorporate it effectively into essays.

Intermediate

ESOL 257A (1 UNIT) / ESOL 557A (NONCREDIT) INTERMEDIATE READING & WRITING WORKSHOP: DEVELOPING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS  

Skills to succeed in ESOL 252A or 252B: Learning strategies and individualized instruction for intermediate English learners to develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

  1. Independently utilize reading strategies to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise for individual problems areas in writing.

ESOL 257B (1 UNIT) / ESOL 557B (NONCREDIT) INTERMEDIATE READING & WRITING WORKSHOP: EXPANDING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS 

Continuation of ESOL 257A and support for ESOL 252A or ESOL 252B:  Learning strategies and individualized instruction for intermediate English learners to expand on critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

  1. Independently utilize reading strategies to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise for individual problems areas in writing.

ESOL 257C (1 UNIT) / ESOL 557C (NONCREDIT) INTERMEDIATE READING & WRITING WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS 

Skills to succeed in ESOL 253: Learning strategies and individualized instruction for high intermediate English learners to strengthen critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

  1. Independently utilize reading strategies to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise for individual problems areas in writing.

ESOL 257D (1 UNIT) / ESOL 557D (NONCREDIT) INTERMEDIATE READING & WRITING WORKSHOP: CONSOLIDATING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS

Continuation of ESOL 257C and support for ESOL 253:  Learning strategies and individualized instruction for high intermediate English learners to consolidate critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

  1. Independently utilize reading strategies to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise for individual problems areas in writing.

Advanced

ESOL 259A (1 UNIT) / ESOL 559A (NONCREDIT) ADVANCED READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS (1 UNIT) 

Skills for English language learners to succeed in English 1A COREQUISITE(S): ESOL 052 or 052A

  1. Utilize reading strategies independently to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise for own problems areas in writing.

ESOL 259B (1 UNIT) / ESOL 559B (NONCREDIT) ADVANCED READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS 

Continuation of 259A. Skills for English language learners to succeed in ESOL 52. COREQUISITE(S): ESOL 052 or 052A

  1. Utilize reading strategies independently to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise own problems areas in writing.

ESOL 259C (1 UNIT) / ESOL 559C (NONCREDIT) ADVANCED READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING CRITICAL READING, WRITING AND THINKING SKILLS (1 UNIT) 

Skills for English language learners to succeed in English 1A COREQUISITE(S): ENGL 1A OR 1B OR 5

  1. Utilize reading strategies independently to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise own problems areas in writing.

ESOL 259D (1 UNIT) / ESOL 559D (NONCREDIT) ADVANCED READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP: CONSOLIDATING CRITICAL READING, WRITING, AND THINKING SKILLS 1 UNIT 

Continuation of ESOL 259C/559C. Skills for English language learners to succeed in English 1A 

COREQUISITE(S): ENGL 1A OR 1B OR 5

  1. Utilize reading strategies independently to critically integrate ideas into own writing.
  2. Identify and revise own problems areas in writing.


ESOL 534A English for Technology (noncredit - 8 weeks)

Low-beginning English for technology: Grammar and vocabulary for speaking, listening, reading and writing related to academic and ESOL technological resources.

  1. Students will be able to identify and follow written and oral instructions with technology-related vocabulary to complete tasks and assignments online, offline and with multimedia.
  2. Students will be able to ask for assistance with applications, hardware and software using appropriate vocabulary.


ESOL 534B English for Technology (noncredit - 8 weeks)

Continuation of ESOL 534A: Grammar and vocabulary for speaking, listening, reading and writing related to academic and ESOL technological resources.

  1. Students will be able to identify and follow written and oral instructions with technology-related vocabulary to complete tasks and assignments online, offline and with multimedia.
  2. Students will be able to ask for assistance with applications, hardware and software using appropriate vocabulary.

ESOL 285 English Language Skills for Technology (1 unit)

Low-beginning English for technology:  Grammar and vocabulary for speaking, listening, reading and writing related to academic uses of hardware and software.

  1. Identify and follow written and oral instructions (with technology-related vocabulary) to complete tasks and assignments online, offline and with multimedia.
  2. Ask for assistance with applications, hardware and software using appropriate vocabulary.
  3. Write instructions for simple technological processes, as well as write simple search requests.

ESOL 283, Business English (3 units)
ESOL 583, Business English (noncredit)

High-Intermediate English for Business: Development and strengthening of English Language Skills for the professional setting: vocabulary for the workplace, navigating meetings and negotiations, giving professional presentations, reading and writing reports and professional correspondences.

  1. Create professional written documents in English, such as emails and reports.
  2. Demonstrate verbally in English in a variety of workplace scenarios, such as workplace banter, contributing to or facilitating meetings, negotiating for pay or time off, and making presentations.

ESOL 286, English for Job Search (2 units)
ESOL 586, English for Job Search (noncredit)

High-beginning English for Job Search: English language skills for career exploration and job search. Learn how to clearly communicate in English about your employment goals, skills and personal qualities for use in applications, professional correspondences, resumes and job interviews. 

  1. Create workplace forms, documents and email communications.
  2. Execute oral communication skills for interviews and casual conversations.

ESOL 287 - ESOL for Customer Service (3 units)
ESOL 587 - ESOL for Customer Service (noncredit)

Development and strengthening of English language skills:  Dealing with customers in service areas.

  1. Demonstrate a customer service conversation.
  2. Answer questions, relay information, and take orders.
  3.  Engage in customer problems and complaints.