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) |
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| 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 |
Contact Information: |
Location: Phone: Email: |
Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday: |