ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM

Returning StudentsNew Students
Regular Placement/Assessment Hours
Regular Orientation Class Hours
ESL Class HoursESL Staff
Fee-based ESL classes
(Must register in person for all ESL classes)
Can't make it to class? Check out our Distance Learning program

Fall ESL Classes begin Tuesday, September 7, 2010


English As A Second Language (ESL) courses provide English language learners with life skills and the opportunity to improve speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary development and grammar.

Si usted desea aprender o mejorar su inglés, lo invitamos a que se inscriba en las clases de inglés como segundo idioma. Las clases le ayudarán a un mejor porvenir en este pais. Las clases incluyen: conversación, lectura, escritura, gramática y vocabulario.

Please Note Our highest ESL level is Intermediate High. We charge a non-refundable registration fee of $30 for each class each semester to cover the cost of registration, testing, and orientation. Please choose your classes carefully. If you stop coming to a class, or if you completed orientation, but did not start class the next week, we cannot refund the $30 registration fee. If your work schedule or family responsibilities change and make it hard to come to class often, talk to your teacher about transferring to class at a different time. We may drop students who do not attend regularly or who are absent for two weeks.

Returning ESL Students
Registration on August 23 and August 24 is ONLY for students who attended ESL classes regularly in May and June of 2010. This early enrollment gives returning students first chance to get into classes. Returning students must go back to their old classroom to register, pay $30 for each class and take a placement test. There will be afternoon registration from 12:30-3:30 P.M. on these days.

What to do?

  • Fill out the registration form with your name, address, etc.
  • Pay $30 to register for each class (cash or credit cards only, no checks)
  • Take a placement test and receive a class assignment
  • Begin classes within a week of the class assignment or you will lose your place


New ESL Students
Registration from August 25 to September 2 is for all students.
Students must come to the Main Office 8:00-10:30am, or 6:00-7:30pm.
Registration after September 2 is on Mondays or Tuesdays only, same hours as above.

What to do?

  • Fill out the registration form with your name, address, etc.
  • Pay the non-refundable fee of $30 to register for each class (cash or credit card, no checks)
  • Take placement tests (1 to 2 hours)
  • Schedule an orientation session (3 hours) on a Thursday, 10:00am-1:00pm, or 6:00-9:00pm (Orientation is required before starting classes, except for students who attended regularly in May/June 2010.)
  • Begin classes within one week of getting your class assignment
  • Note: Don't register or take an orientation session until you are ready to start classes


Regular Placement/Assessment Hours

  • Monday-Tuesday: 8:00am-10:30am, or 6:00-7:30pm
  • Note: No testing on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday


Regular Orientation Classes
Orientation is ONLY on Thursdays, 10:00am-1:00pm, or 6:00-9:00pm. To take an orientation class, students must be already assessed. Please arrive on time. Late entry is not permitted.


ESL Class Hours
Morning ESL Classes
Monday-Friday
8:30-11:30am
Afternoon ESL Classes
Monday-Friday
12:30-3:30pm
Evening ESL Classes
Monday-Thursday
6:30-9:30pm

ESL Community Interest Classes
Berkeley Adult School offers ESL Community Interest Classes:
• Advanced English as a Second Language • American English Pronunciation • Understanding & Using Informal Spoken American English • ESL Writing for Intermediate Students. Visit the Languages page for details.


ESL Staff
Andrews • Baraz • Barison •Buist • Datz • Flores • Hart • Hsu • Hubbard • Jain • Jerves • Lang • Kalmar • Martynn • Miller • Numaguchi • Perry • Pitetti • Ross • St. Aubin • Sweenie • Takaki • Takefuji • Urry • Weikel • Woolery