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Welcome to the LACC English and ESL (English as a Second Language) Department

The English and ESL (English as a Second Language) Department offers a variety of courses ranging from foundational language skills and language acquisition at the college level to transfer level courses in composition, literature, creative writing, and linguistics. Our English as a Second Language program offers six levels of grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing up to the level before and including freshman composition. We currently offer two Associate of Arts degrees, one in English and one for transfer with an emphasis on English. Starting in Spring 2023, we will offer a Certificate of Achievement in Linguistics and a Certificate of Achievement in Creative Writing. Our creative writing, literature, and linguistics courses fulfill the humanities requirements as well.

Our courses are offered in different modules: 16 weeks per semester; 8 weeks that start at the beginning and in the middle of the semester; and 5 weeks during the winter and summer sessions. Students can attend face-to-face or online classes that are scheduled for every day of the week, except Sundays, and from as early as 8am until 10pm to accommodate student schedules.

Starting June 12, 2022 in-person classes no longer require face coverings, proof of vaccination and other COVID-related requirements. Recently, the department of English and ESL has started to offer composition classes designed specifically for students majoring in Technology and Engineering (STEM students). In Spring 2023, we are piloting E.S.L. 110 that is equivalent to a transfer-level English 101 course intended for ESL students. In Fall 2023 there will be a new class, English 101Z, that will provide students with extra support from instructors.

Additionally, students can succeed in the completion of their English requirements by combining composition classes with tutoring and workshops in our Writing Support Center. ESL students can also take a guided self-placement survey to determine which level of ESL is best for them and use the ESL Lab to improve their skills. Every summer and winter we offer English orientations in the FYE and EOPS programs for students to sharpen their composition and critical thinking skills before the new schoolyear.

The English and ESL Department also offers special sections to students in the First Year Experience program, which provide embedded tutors to support students. We are also collaborating with a campus-supported Puente program to improve course success and retention rates for disproportionately impacted student populations.

While continually seeking to improve our instructional delivery methods, the department also encourages all students to engage in writing by holding a writing contest every spring semester and submitting their literary works for publication in our own literary journal, The Citadel. Submissions for the writing contest and The Citadel are open campus-wide to students in any major and at different language skills levels.

Students in our department will also have the opportunities to win one of the nine scholarships we have set up in the names of our former colleagues. We celebrate the award-winning students with a ceremony in which the winners of the writing contests read select passages of their works to an audience of their peers, faculty, and family members. Look for major announcements about our writing contest, scholarships and Citadel submissions coming soon!

LACC Writing Support Center

Writing support is available for students in all English classes

Course Descriptions

Academic Programs: English / ESL
College Catalog
Class Schedules