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.