Academic ESL

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Laurel Ridge Community College prepares students to reach their personal, academic, and professional goals in the ESL programs. Students can improve their English proficiency and cultural competence in a safe and supportive learning environment. 

View the ESL Brochure (PDF File)
ESL Website

Academic ESL is right for you…

If your primary language is not English and you request intensive ESL coursework.

If you have an intermediate level of English skills or above.

If you want to improve your reading, writing/grammar, and listening/speaking skills to build a strong foundation for academic English.

If you plan to take college courses to earn an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college.

If you want to take college or workforce classes to earn a certificate or certification for academic or professional purposes. 

Apply

  1. Take the First Step ESL Survey here.
  2. You will be contacted by college staff. Check your email!
  3. If you plan to take Academic ESL, apply to college here: Get your college ID number and username. College application is free.
  4. An appointment for the ESL placement tests will be set up: Let us know when and where to take the test: Middletown or Fauquier campus. Make sure to have at least two hours to take the tests. See Testing Center Locations and Hours
  5. You will bring your current photo ID and take the tests at your designated testing center.
  6. You will be notified of your placement and course schedule.
  7. If you have not completed the college orientation, click here. Watch the Laurel Lead-in Orientation Video and complete the survey at the end of the video module. Get your advisor’s name.
  8. Contact your advisor (click here to schedule an advising appointment).
  9. Meet your advisor and enroll in classes.

Before enrolling, make sure you clear up your admission status. Verify your tuition status and submit any paperwork. If your status is on hold, contact Enrollment Services.

Academic ESL Levels and Courses

Intermediate Academic ESL 30

  • ESL 31 Composition I
  • ESL 32 Reading I
  • ESL 33 Oral Comm
  • ESL 35 Grammar 3

You will:

  • Write well-developed paragraphs.
  • Learn grammar to make correct sentence structures with punctuation and mechanics.
  • Learn reading, vocabulary, and dictionary skills.
  • Read texts written at 7th -10th grade level.
  • Discuss topics and present topics from reading.

Practice and improve listening and speaking skills for functioning in academic and personal settings.

High Intermediate Academic ESL 40

  • ESL 41 Composition II
  • ESL 42 Reading II
  • ESL 43 Oral Comm
  • ESL 45 Grammar 4

You will:

  • Write organized and supported essays.
  • Learn how to summarize and paraphrase.
  • Learn grammar to use various sentence structures with accuracy in verb tense, logic, and agreement.
  • Learn advanced vocabulary and reading strategies.
  • Read texts written at 11th -12th grade level.
  • Lead discussion and present topics from research.

Improve listening and speaking skills in academic and professional settings.

Low Advanced Academic ESL 95

  • ESL 95 Preparing for College English 111 for ESL with
  • ENG111 College Composition I

You will:

  • Take the two courses at the same time: ESL95/ENG111.
  • Receive extra support and resources to be successful in ENG 111.
  • Learn rhetorical knowledge, academic discourse, and writing process.
  • Read college-level academic texts and respond to texts critically.
  • Write multi-paragraphs using various patterns of development in writing.
  • Do academic research.
  • Write a research paper.
  • Review, practice, and improve revision and editing skills.

ESL Placement Tests

ESL placement test consists of Accuplacer ESL tests and a writing test.

In the Accuplacer ESL placement tests, each of the four sections (reading, sentence skills, language use, and listening) contains 20 multiple-choice questions. There is no time limit to complete the tests.

An in-house writing test will be given after students complete the Accuplacer ESL tests. The writing test has a 45-minute time limit.

You may need about two hours to complete the ESL placement tests at the testing center.

Tuition and Funding Options

Affordable tuition and financial assistance are available.

Each ESL course is 3 credits.

Tuition Categories: In-state Tuition / Business Contact Tuition / Out-of-State Tuition

  • View Tuition Rates HERE.
  • View Financial Aid and more HERE.
  • View Scholarships HERE.

Domicile: To be eligible for in-state tuition rates, you should provide documents that show you have lived in Virginia for at least one year before the start of the semester.

Before enrolling, make sure you clear up your admission status.

Verify your tuition status and submit any paperwork. If your status is on hold, contact Enrollment Services to submit your documents.

ESL Resources

Student Testimonials

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