ESOL Program

All students must demonstrate English proficiency before enrolling in university/college-level courses. If the student's first language is English, or the student completed studies from a school where English was the primary language, English proficiency-testing will not be required.

Students entering Palo Alto College from countries where English is not the primary language will need to provide TOEFL test scores AND/OR be tested at Palo Alto College before enrolling in college-level courses. For students who have taken the TOEFL Examination, a score of 450 or higher is considered English proficient. If either the TOEFL Examination or the Palo Alto College examination determines that the student does not possess the English skills necessary to successfully perform at the college level, the student will be required to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

Additional testing is required of all students who demonstrate English proficiency. Palo Alto College placement exams are administered on campus and must be taken upon arrival to campus and before enrollment. Placement exams are administered to determined college proficiency. Students not testing at the college level will be required to enroll in academic upgrade courses. ESOL Department Homepage