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 eight-week 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 five levels—from basic to level 4.
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
| Spring Flex 2 2026 (March 23 – May 14, 2026) |
Summer 2026 (June 1 – July 23, 2026) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Placement Testing |
Before you can be registered for the March 2026 class, you must first attend mandatory placement testing on February 23, 2026 The program offers 4 levels of classes. There are a limited number of Level 1 and Level 2 seats available for the semester, so the first few students who test into those levels will be registered. Others will be placed on a waiting list for an upcoming semester. Please note that there are no Level 3 and Level 4 seats available for the semester. If you test into those levels, you will be added to a waiting list for an upcoming semester. |
Details coming soon. |
| Classes begin | March 23, 2026 | June 1, 2026 |
| Classes end | May 14, 2026 | July 23, 2026 |
Classes are held on campus Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Contact Information: |
Location: Phone: Email: |
Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday: |