ESL - English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language

Welcome to ESOL!

CT State Community College Housatonic offers a six-semester sequence of English as a Second Language courses designed to accommodate the needs of non-native speakers of English at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of proficiency. Placement in each level is based upon the results of an ESOL interview and reading and writing evaluation.

If you have any questions, please fill out the form below and someone will get back to you!

The six-hour courses are intensive and stress the development of listening and reading comprehension, speaking and writing skills to help students gain confidence and proficiency in the use of English to succeed in academic and career programs. Students entering the lowest level, ESOL* E010, Combined Skills I, should have some experience speaking and writing English before enrolling at the college. Students must demonstrate mastery of skills before progressing to the next level. After successful completion of the ESOL sequence, students progress to ENG 1010, Composition/ESOL 0912, Composition Support."

Language Labs

A totally digital multimedia learning lab system is available for students taking courses in a wide variety of languages including English as a Second Language. Two Language Lab classrooms are available in Beacon Hall. These rooms are equipped to provide both classroom and laboratory practice space for students.

HCC’s Continuing Education also offers several non-credit ESOL courses. If you are interested in a non-credit ESOL course, visit the Continuing Education Non-credit ESOL page by clicking here. Information about non-credit course descriptions, class schedule, and tuition is available in the English as a Second Language section of the Non-credit catalog.

Credit English as a Second Language Courses

These courses have an academic focus and are designed to prepare English language learners to succeed in English 101 and other courses required to attain a degree. All of these courses carry credits that can be applied towards a degree.

Intermediate Credit ESOL Courses:

ESOL 1202, Integrated Skills II
ESOL 1302, Integrated Skills III
Grammar III to ESOL 1205, Grammar II
Oral Communication IV to ESOL 1307, Communications III

Advanced Credit ESOL Courses:
Some of these courses are required for the Certificate of Advanced English Proficiency

ESOL 1402, Integrated Skills IV
ESOL 1502, Integrated Skills V
Grammar V to ESOL 1405, Grammar IV
Oral Communication VI to ESOL 1407, Communications IV

English as a Second Language Certificate: Advanced English Proficiency (EJ03)

Certificate

The Advanced ESOL Program is designed for students whose native language is not English. Each of the courses in the program will prepare students in the English language skills necessary for success in academic studies or in careers. After successfully completing the courses in the program with a grade of “C” or higher, students will receive a Competency Certificate in English as a Second Language.

Note: All courses in this sequence are applicable to associate degree programs. Up to twelve credits from among ESOL 1402, Integrated Skills IV, ESOL 1502, Integrated Skills V, ENG 1010, Composition may be used as foreign language/humanities or open electives.

Suggested Sequence of Courses:

Prerequisite or parallel courses may be required. Please check individual course descriptions for details.