Should You Choose General ESL or Academic ESL Classes?

1. What is your goal in learning English?

1. General ESL - Improve general English skills to perform everyday tasks (holding a conversation, writing short messages, reading paragraphs)
2. Academic ESL - Improve academic English skills to complete a degree/certificate program or transfer to a university.

2. How many years have you studied English?

1. General ESL - 1-2 years
2. Academic ESL - More than 2 years

3. How many years did you study in a US high school?

1. General ESL - 0-1 year
2. Academic ESL - More than 2 years

4. Choose the statement that best describes your listening and speaking skills.

1. General ESL - I can understand simple short conversations about common everyday topics: work, family, shopping, school, and food. I can ask and answer questions about these topics and people usually understand me.
2. Academic ESL - I can understand conversations and discussions about common and advanced topics: news, politics, culture, and other subjects. I can share my ideas about these topics in conversation.

5. Choose the statement that best describes your reading and writing skills.

1. General ESL - I can complete common reading and writing tasks in English: grocery lists, a short introduction about myself, job application, hospital forms.
2. Academic ESL - I can read and understand newspapers and websites in English. I can write sentences and paragraphs about a topic.

If you answered 3 or more of these questions with “A”, you should enroll in General ESL classes. If you answered 3 or more questions with “B”, you should enroll in Academic ESL classes.

Which Class Should you Take?

Now that you have decided which program best suits your needs (General ESL or Academic ESL), you are ready to select a class level. Moorpark College does not administer assessments to place students in the ESL sequence. Instead, students select which level is suitable for them. You can review the materials posted below to help you decide. If you still have questions, you can contact the ESL Coordinator, Daniela Guevara. She can guide you. 

General ESL Level Materials

ESL 901: High Beginning Non-Credit ESL

• ESL 901 Reading and Writing Level Materials

ESL 902: Low Intermediate Non-Credit ESL

• ESL 902 Reading and Writing Level Materials

ESL 903: High Intermediate Non-Credit ESL

• ESL 903 Reading and Writing Level Materials

ESL 904: Advanced Non-Credit ESL

• ESL 904 Reading and Writing Level Materials

Academic ESL Level Materials

ESL M11/911: Academic Reading & Writing 1 

• ESL 11/911 Reading and Writing Materials

ESL M12/912: Academic Reading & Writing 2

• ESL 12/912 Reading and Writing Materials

ESL M13/913: Academic Reading & Writing 3

• ESL 12/912 Reading and Writing Materials

How do I take an ESL class at Moorpark College?

First, you must apply for admission to the college. After being accepted into the college, you can register for courses online. Learn how to register here.

I am not sure about which class is best for me. How can I find out?

You should consult the descriptions and documents on this webpage, and/or contact Professor Guevara by email (dguevara@vcccd.edu). She can advise you.

When are courses offered?

You can consult the Schedule of Classes to learn more about course offerings, start and end dates, and schedules. 

When is the last day to register?

The second week of each semester.  However, you should register before the first day of class so that you can attend classes from the beginning of the semester.  Semesters begin in August and January. 

How much does each class cost?

Noncredit classes are tuition-free.

Each credit class is $46 per unit, and these are 4-unit courses, so they are $184 for California residents.  Non-residents pay $209 per unit.  International students pay $234 per unit - a minimum of 12 units is mandatory.

Where can I buy textbooks?

You can check in the bookstore in the Campus Center (“CC” on the MC map). You may also buy the books online through the Moorpark College Bookstore.

Do the ESL instructors speak Spanish or any other languages?

Most of our ESL instructors speak other languages.  However, only English is spoken in the classroom. 

How can I get a parking pass?

You may purchase a parking pass online or in person. 

Can I get extra tutoring at Moorpark College?

Yes, there are tutors at the Learning Center on the 3^rd floor of the library. ESL classes have a class tutor who helps students during class and after class.