English as a Second Language
Long Beach City College offers certificates of competency in the noncredit program for adults seeking to learn English as a Second Language (ESL).
Workplace Language Skills for ESL
The Department of ESL and Linguistics is committed to enriching the quality of life for students and their families. The Workplace Language Skills Program is a 6-course series designed to prepare low to high intermediate-level ESL students for career success. The program focuses on the oral and written language skills students need to attain employment and advance in their careers. For more information on the English as a Second Language (ESL) Department, call 562-938-3037.
Certificates of Competency
- English for Everyday – Level 1 - Certificate of Competency
- English for Everyday – Level 2 - Certificate of Competency
- English for Everyday – Level 3 - Certificate of Competency
- ESL Literacy - Certificate of Competency
- ESL Reading for Citizenship - Certificate of Competency
- Intermediate Grammar - Certificate of Competency
- Intermediate Oral Skills - Certificate of Competency
- Intermediate Reading and Writing - Certificate of Competency
- Reading Skills for ESL Students – Level 1 - Certificate of Competency
- Reading Skills for ESL Students – Level 2 - Certificate of Competency
- Reading Skills for ESL Students – Level 3 - Certificate of Competency
- Workplace Language Skills for ESL – Level 1 - Certificate of Competency
- Workplace Language Skills for ESL – Level 2 - Certificate of Competency
- Workplace Language Skills for ESL – Level 3 - Certificate of Competency
In this course, non-native speakers of English read and analyze college-level texts in order to write researched, thesis-based essays. The course provides supplemental support through scaffolded, collaborative, individualized activities, and one-to-one feedback from a writing instructor necessary to complete ENGL 1 criteria.
Transferable to both UC and CSU; see counselor for limitationsThis course is an intensive study of reading and writing English focusing on the academic language skills needed for the AA and AS degrees. Skills taught include expository essay writing, summarizing, paraphrasing, reading comprehension, and critical analysis. Students use personal computers to complete the writing assignments. This course prepares students for ESL 34X.
Transferable to both UC and CSU; see counselor for limitationsThis course is an intensive study of reading and writing English focusing on the academic language skills needed for the AA and AS degrees and entrance into English 1. Students use personal computers to complete the writing assignments. Skills taught include expository and argumentative essay writing, summarizing of academic readings and articles about current events, critical analysis of readings in literature, library and Internet research, and use and documentation of sources.
Transferable to both UC and CSU; see counselor for limitationsTo prepare for college level writing, ESL 54X provides ESL students with intensive sentence structure practice while they learn to write coherent paragraphs incorporating the use of transitional devices. Students will be introduced to and practice paraphrasing. Writing assignments will be prepared using personal computers.
This course focuses on intensive summarizing of articles and writing of conceptual paragraphs that incorporate the elements of cohesion, unity, and support to prepare students for college level writing. Rhetorical modes covered include narration, description, explanation, and persuasion. All writing assignments are done on personal computers.
Formerly ESL 146AB. This course is the first of two courses which together constitute a comprehensive review of the basic grammar of English in its entirety, together with the presentation of more complex grammatical features and troublesome exceptions, for students who have mastered or nearly mastered the fundamentals of English. The course provides in-depth study of the grammatical features and basic sentence patterns of English which students must command in order to succeed in academic, college-level courses. Also included in the course are the writing of multi-clause sentences and work with a variety of English idioms formed with irregular verbs.
Formerly ESL 147AB. This course is the second of two courses which together constitute a comprehensive review of the basic grammar of English in its entirety, together with the presentation of more complex grammatical features and troublesome exceptions, for students who have mastered or nearly mastered the fundamentals of English. The course provides in-depth study of the grammatical features and basic sentence patterns of English which students must command in order to succeed in academic, college-level courses. Also included in the course are the writing of multi-clause sentences and work with a variety of English idioms formed with irregular verbs.
The first course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The first course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The second course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The second course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The third course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
Formerly ESL 275X. The third course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
This first course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read, and build vocabulary. ESL 602A teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students learn the rules for morphology, spelling and reading to assist them in vocabulary building, pronunciation and comprehension. Course content coincides with ESL 800.
This second course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 602B teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 602A and in addition learn to analyze a passage for specific content and define words in context. Course content coincides with ESL 801.
This third course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 602C teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 602B and in addition learn to analyze a passage for specific content and define words in context. Course content coincides with ESL 802.
This fourth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 602D teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 602C and in addition learn to make inferences and support opinions about reading selections. Course content coincides with ESL 803.
This fifth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 602E teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 602D and in addition learn to compare characters in readings and differentiate word meaning by context. Course content coincides with ESL 804.
This sixth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 602F teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 602E and in addition learn to identify central conflicts of stories and make inferences based on facts and details. Course content coincides with ESL 805.
This course is designed to support ESL students in the intermediate academic reading and/or writing classes. It is the first of a two-course sequence designed to introduce grammatical terminology and guide intermediate ESL students to mastery of the seven major parts of speech. ESL 610A emphasizes the use of verb tenses and agreement between subject and verb, article and noun, as well as verb and adverb. It emphasizes the correct construction of phrases, including noun, verb, and prepositional phrases, and simple sentences.
This course is designed for advanced ESL students in the advanced academic reading and/or writing classes. It is the second of a two-course sequence designed for advanced ESL students. It enables students to master correct English word order at the phrase, simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence level. Students continue to master the usage and word order of the seven major parts of speech, the relationship between phrases and clauses, and the relationship between independent and dependent clauses, focusing on adverbial phrases, noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial/subordinate clauses.
This course is designed to improve students' ability to extract essential information from academic passages of a variety of written English material while building vocabulary, improving dictionary skills, and developing comprehension and critical reading skills.
This course develops conversational competence and confidence in whole-class, small-group, and partner interactions. Emphasis is on the comprehension and evaluation of oral communications as students practice expressing opinions, feelings, ideas, and abstract concepts.
This course (Composition) offers intermediate level ESL students systematic instruction and practice in the construction of short connected series of sentences which state an opinion, describe a process, give information or instructions, or report an experience. This course provides instruction and practice in organizing ideas and in identifying and writing topic and support sentences
This intensive semester-long pronunciation course for intermediate to advanced non-native speakers focuses on the mastery of the English vowel/consonant sound system, stress patterns, melody, rhythm, and intonation of intelligible speech. Extended contextual practice enables students to modify nonstandard pronunciation patterns and achieve improved oral communication.
In this course, nonnative students prepare for academic success in institutions of higher learning by studying the general academic vocabulary encountered across college disciplines. Instruction focuses on incorporating vocabulary mastery strategies that stimulate students to become active lifelong learners of the North American English lexicon.
The first course in a two-course sequence to develop literacy skills of English language learners.
The second course in a two-course sequence to develop literacy skills of English language learners.
The first course in a two-course sequence for beginning level English language learners. Students will develop the language competency through content-based instruction in order to take the U.S. citizenship examination.
The second course in a two-course sequence for beginning level English language learners. Students will develop the language competency through content-based instruction in order to take the U.S. citizenship examination.
A compressed reading for citizenship course for high-beginner English language learners. Students will develop language competency through content-based instruction in order to prepare for the U.S. citizenship examination.
This course is the first of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the second of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the third in a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written Standard North American English for natives.
This course is the fourth of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the fifth of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the sixth of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the first of three integrated skills ESL courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include intensive review verb tenses, parts of speech, parts of sentences, and multi-clause sentences. Also covered are essential reading concepts, focusing on reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary enrichment, and interpretation of extra-textual information, exposure to longer text selections provides opportunities for applying academic reading skills. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.
This course is the second of three integrated skills ESL courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include intensive summarizing of articles and writing of conceptual paragraphs that incorporate the elements of cohesion, unity, and support to prepare students for college level writing. Rhetorical modes covered include narration, description, explanation, and persuasion. Also covered are essential reading concepts, focusing on reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary enrichment, and interpretation of extra-textual information. Exposure to longer text selections provides opportunities for applying academic reading skills. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.
This course is the third and final integrated ESL skills courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include expository writing and speaking, focusing on a range of rhetorical patterns, summarizing, and an introduction to argumentative essay writing, and research and documentation of sources. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.
The first course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
Formerly ESL 671X. The first course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The second course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
Formerly ESL 673X. The second course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
The third course in a three-course sequence in listening and speaking skills for the workplace for ESL. Cultural, sociolinguistic and nonverbal communication strategies and norms for a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
Formerly ESL 675X. The third course in a three-course sequence of reading and writing skills for the workplace for ESL. Sociolinguistic and organizational norms for writing in a U.S. workplace setting are identified, analyzed and practiced.
This first course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read, and build vocabulary. ESL 800 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students learn the rules for morphology, spelling and reading to assist them in vocabulary building, pronunciation and comprehension.
This second course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 801 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 800 and in addition learn to analyze a passage for specific content and define words in context.
This third course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 802 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 801 and in addition learn to analyze a passage for specific content and define words in context.
This fourth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 803 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 802 and in addition learn to make inferences and support opinions about reading selections.
This fifth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 804 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 803 and in addition learn to compare characters in readings and differentiate word meaning by context.
This sixth course in a series of six reading skills courses is designed to teach ESL students how to read, comprehend what they read and build vocabulary. ESL 805 teaches students how to read and comprehend words, sentences, paragraphs and passages or texts without the dependency on a dictionary. Working with material appropriate to this level, students build upon the content of ESL 804 and in addition learn to identify central conflicts of stories and make inferences based on facts and details.
Formerly ESL 810. This course is the first of a two-course sequence designed to introduce grammatical terminology and guide intermediate ESL students to mastery of the seven major parts of speech. ESL 810A emphasizes the use of verb tenses and agreement between subject and verb, article and noun, as well as verb and adverb. It emphasizes the correct construction of phrases, including noun, verb, and prepositional phrases, and simple sentences.
This course is the second of a two-course sequence designed for high-intermediate ESL students. It enables students to master correct English word order at the phrase, simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence level. Students continue to master the usage and word order of the seven major parts of speech, the relationship between phrases and clauses, and the relationship between independent and dependent clauses, focusing on adverbial phrases, noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial/subordinate clauses.
Formerly ESL 812AB. This course is designed to improve students' ability to extract essential information from academic passages of a variety of written English material while building vocabulary, improving dictionary skills, and developing comprehension and critical reading skills.
Formerly ESL 813AB. This course develops conversational competence and confidence in whole-class, small-group, and partner interactions. Emphasis is on the comprehension and evaluation of oral communications as students practice expressing opinions, feelings, ideas, and abstract concepts.
Formerly ESL 814AB. This course (Composition) offers intermediate level ESL students systematic instruction and practice in the construction of short connected series of sentences which state an opinion, describe a process, give information or instructions, or report an experience. This course provides instruction and practice in organizing ideas and in identifying and writing topic and support sentences.
Formerly ESL 815AB. This intensive semester-long pronunciation course for intermediate to advanced non-native speakers focuses on the mastery of the English vowel/consonant sound system, stress patterns, melody, rhythm, and intonation of intelligible speech. Extended contextual practice enables students to modify nonstandard pronunciation patterns and achieve improved oral communication.
Formerly ESL 818AB. In this course, nonnative students prepare for academic success in institutions of higher learning by studying the general academic vocabulary encountered across college disciplines. Instruction focuses on incorporating vocabulary mastery strategies that stimulate students to become active lifelong learners of the North American English lexicon.
Formerly ESL 840AB. This course is the first of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
Formerly ESL 841AB. This course is the second of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
Formerly ESL 842AB. This course is the third in a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written Standard North American English for natives.
Formerly ESL 843AB. This course is the fourth of a six-course series in the basics of English language structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
Formerly ESL 844AB. This course is the fifth of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on producing grammatical features and on comprehending spoken and written standard North American English.
Formerly ESL 845AB. This course is the sixth of a six-course series in the basics of English structure designed to bring students up to basic college level in the language and prepare them for success in academic and vocational programs offered by the college. Emphasis is on the mastery of productive grammatical features and on comprehension of spoken and written standard North American English.
This course is the first of three integrated skills ESL courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include intensive review verb tenses, parts of speech, parts of sentences, and multi-clause sentences. Also covered are essential reading concepts, focusing on reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary enrichment, and interpretation of extra-textual information, exposure to longer text selections provides opportunities for applying academic reading skills. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.
This course is the second of three integrated skills ESL courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include intensive summarizing of articles and writing of conceptual paragraphs that incorporate the elements of cohesion, unity, and support to prepare students for college level writing. Rhetorical modes covered include narration, description, explanation, and persuasion. Also covered are essential reading concepts, focusing on reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary enrichment, and interpretation of extra-textual information. Exposure to longer text selections provides opportunities for applying academic reading skills. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.
This course is the third and final integrated skills ESL courses in an intensive study of reading and writing English with listening and speaking, focused on the academic language skills needed for success in the transfer-level courses ESL1S or English 1. Skills taught include expository writing and speaking, focusing on a range of rhetorical patterns, summarizing, and an introduction to argumentative essay writing, and research and documentation of sources. This course also provides instruction in the strategies necessary for academic college reading and listening with an emphasis on notetaking, the application of comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading and listening skills in academic and literary texts.