The ESL Department at Moorpark College offers classes to help students become proficient in English. We have two programs: non-credit and credit/mirrored non-credit.
Comparing Non-credit, Credit, and Mirrored ESL
Non-credit ESL courses (ESLM901-904) are designed for students who wish to improve their English for everyday life.
Credit ESL courses (ESLM11-13 & M40) are designed for students who intend to continue their college education and obtain a degree or certificate.
Mirrored non-credit courses (ESLM911-913 & 940) offer exact replicas of the credit ESL course curriculum. Students who enroll in mirrored non-credit courses will be expected to complete the same coursework as students taking the course for credit.
Note: International (F1 Visa) students should enroll in credit ESL courses.
Refer to the chart and catalog course descriptions to learn more about our classes.
NON-CREDIT ESL COURSES
ESL M901-904
Student goals: Improve general English skills to perform everyday tasks (holding a conversation, writing short messages, reading paragraphs, etc.)
Class activities/ assignments: Conversation etiquette and practice, basic-intermediate grammar instruction and practice, writing short paragraphs, reading 1-page articles, and listening to short conversations.
Cost: No tuition cost, but students must pay for parking, textbooks, and a small health fee
Outside work: About 2 hours of homework a week
Schedule: 2-hour classes 2 days a week
Grading: No grades are given
Recommended entering skills: Students should have studied English for at least one year before enrolling.
CREDIT ESL COURSES
ESL M11-13
Student goals: Improve academic English skills to complete a degree/certificate program or transfer to a university.
Class activities/ assignments: Participating in class discussions, intermediate-advanced grammar, writing long paragraphs and short essays, reading 2-3 page articles and full-length books, and listening to lectures.
Cost: $46 per unit for residents; $209 per unit for non-residents; $234 per unit for international students.
Outside work: About 8-12 hours of homework a week.
Schedule: 2.25-hour classes 2 days a week
Grading: Grades are given (A, B, C, D, or F). Alternatively, students may elect to take the class as pass/no pass.
Recommended entering skills: Students should have studied English for at least two years before enrolling.
MIRRORED NON-CREDIT ESL COURSES
ESL M911-913
Student goals: Improve academic English skills to complete a degree/certificate program or transfer to a university.
Class activities/ assignments: Participating in class discussions, intermediate-advanced grammar, writing long paragraphs and short essays, reading 2-3 page articles and full-length books, and listening to lectures.
Cost: No tuition cost, but students must pay for parking, textbooks, and a small health fee.
Outside work: About 8-12 hours of homework a week.
Schedule: 2.25-hour classes 2 days a week
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Recommended entering skills: Students should have studied English for at least two years before enrolling.
CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS
Non-credit courses
ESL M901: High-Beginning Non-credit ESL
Course Description:
Develops listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, study, and computer skills relevant to school, work, and personal life for the high-beginning student with a limited foundation in English speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasizes comprehension, oral and written statements and questions, and introduction to American culture. Does NOT apply to Associate degree. Offered as Pass/No Pass only (no letter grade possible).
ESL M902: Low-Intermediate Non-credit ESL
Course Description:
Develops listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, study, and computer skills relevant to school, work, and personal life for the low-intermediate student with a foundation in English speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasizes communication, past and future verb tenses, and vocabulary related to work and school. Offered Pass/No Pass only (no letter grade possible). Does NOT apply to Associate degree.
ESL M903: High-Intermediate Non-credit ESL
Course Description:
Develops listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, study and computer skills relevant to school, work, and personal life for the high-intermediate student with a foundation and experience in English speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasizes more advanced communication, progressive tenses and modal verbs, and basic academic vocabulary. Does NOT apply to Associate degree. Offered as Pass/No Pass only (no letter grade possible).
ESL M904: Advanced Non-credit ESL
Course Description:
Develops listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, study, and computer skills relevant to school, work, and personal life for the advanced student with a strong foundation and experience in English speaking, reading, and writing. Prepares students for success in credit ESL and other courses as well as for the workplace. Does NOT apply to Associate degree. Offered as Pass/No Pass only (no letter grade possible).
Academic credit (and mirrored non-credit) courses:
ESL M11 (and ESL M911): Academic Reading and Writing I
Course Description:
Develops greater proficiency in reading comprehension and written communication for non-native speakers. Analyzes pre-college level articles from a variety of academic disciplines. Develops English proficiency and fluency by writing and rewriting thesis-based paragraphs and multi-paragraph compositions. Does NOT apply toward Associate Degree.
ESL M12 (and ESL M911): Academic Reading and Writing II
Course Description:
Focuses on development of intermediate-level academic reading and writing skills for non-native speakers of English. Develops greater proficiency in reading interpretation, complex grammatical forms, academic vocabulary, and written expression in preparation for college-level coursework. RECOMMENDED PREPARATION: ESL M11 or equivalent. Does NOT apply toward Associate Degree.
ESL M13 (and ESL M913): Academic Reading and Writing III
Course Description:
Provides instruction and practice in critical and analytical writing with an emphasis on language structure and vocabulary development for non-native speakers of English. Emphasizes critical analysis and appreciation of culturally diverse readings, integrating ideas from readings into writing assignments, and refining the academic language fluency of non-native speakers of English. Integrates research, synthesis, documentation, and advanced language skills in academic writing covering culturally diverse reading content. RECOMMENDED PREPARATION: ESL M12 or equivalent. Does NOT apply toward Associate Degree
ESL M40 (and ESL M940): ESL Academic Oral Communication
Course Description:
Prepares students to be effective oral communicators in a public speaking context through instruction in communication theory, organization patterns, and research techniques. Emphasizes training in academic listening skills, rhetorical strategies, and the ability to present original subject matter. RECOMMENDED PREPARATION: ESL M12 or equivalent. Does NOT apply toward Associate Degree
