English as a Second Language (ESL)

Individuals with limited English knowledge may face many challenges, but the ESL program at Palo Alto College offers the opportunity to learn English and get ahead in your career.

Our ESL classes are free of charge and allow students to progress to the skill level they want to achieve. All incoming students will be assessed on their current knowledge of the English language and be placed in one of four levels—from introductory to advanced.

Each level includes four skills-focused areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Along with integrated grammar and vocabulary skills, the standards-based focus empowers students to build upon sequential background knowledge aligned with unique activities, self-assessments, reviews and tests for each unit being covered.

Important Dates

Fall 2026

(September 8– December 3, 2026)
Mandatory Placement Testing	Fall 2026 classes will meet from 6pm – 9pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, on the college campus. You must be able to commit to attending class every week throughout the semester. Before you can be registered for class, you must take a 25-minute placement exam in our office. Email us at pac-commprog@alamo.edu to schedule a time. If you test into Level 2 or 3, which are for students who have some experience with listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English, you will be enrolled in our fall classes, which will be from September 8 to December 3, 2026. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you test into Level 1, which is for students who have little or no experience with English, you will be added to a waitlist for a future semester.
Classes begin	September 8, 2026
Classes end	December 3, 2026

(September 8– December 3, 2026)

Mandatory Placement Testing

Fall 2026 classes will meet from 6pm – 9pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, on the college campus. You must be able to commit to attending class every week throughout the semester.

Before you can be registered for class, you must take a 25-minute placement exam in our office. Email us at pac-commprog@alamo.edu to schedule a time.

If you test into Level 2 or 3, which are for students who have some experience with listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English, you will be enrolled in our fall classes, which will be from September 8 to December 3, 2026. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you test into Level 1, which is for students who have little or no experience with English, you will be added to a waitlist for a future semester.

Classes begin

September 8, 2026

Classes end

December 3, 2026

Spring 2027

Levels 1 & 2	Levels 3 & 4
Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays	Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Dates: January 26–April 27, 2027	Dates: January 25–April 26, 2027
Time: 6–9 p.m.	Time: 6–9 p.m.
Location: On-campus classes	Location: On-campus classes
Attendance: Weekly attendance is required throughout the semester.	Attendance: Weekly attendance is required throughout the semester.
Who Should Enroll: Little or no experience with: Listening Speaking Reading Writing in English	Who Should Enroll: Some experience with: Listening Speaking Reading Writing in English
Placement Exam: A required 25-minute placement exam must be completed before registration. Schedule your exam: pac-commprog@alamo.edu	Placement Exam: A required 25-minute placement exam must be completed before registration. Schedule your exam: pac-commprog@alamo.edu

Contact Information:

Location:
Ozuna Library and Learning Center (OZU 136)

Phone:
210-486-3409

Email:
pac-commprog@alamo.edu

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday:
8 a.m.– Noon
and 1–5 p.m.