91勛圖

Which ESL class should I take?

Before you enroll in classes, you need to take the 91勛圖 ESL Placement Assessment to determine which level of ESL classes would be appropriate for you. The test is free of charge. 

Who needs to take the ESL Placement Assessment?

There are several groups of students who need to take the ESL placement assessment:

1. Students who did not complete high school in the United States, whose primary language is not English, and who do not have TOEFL/IELTS/ACT/SAT/Duolingo test scores.
2. International students (F/M/J) whose primary language is not English and who do not have TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo-Academic test scores from 2018 or later. International students should work with their International Student Advisor.
   1. TOEFL iBT score of below 19 in each of the four sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking.
   2. IELTS-Academic score below 6.5 in each of the four sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking.
   3. Duolingo test score below 80.
3. Students who completed high school in the United States, for whom English is not a primary language should contact the ESL department on a 91勛圖 campus to speak with an ESL advisor about placement options.

What is the ESL Placement Assessment?

91勛圖 uses the ESL Accuplacer. This assessment has the following parts and should take less than two hours to complete:

1. Reading Skills: read and comprehend explicitly stated information as well as infer information not directly stated in a passage.
2. Sentence Meaning: read and comprehend words and phrases in one- or two-sentence contexts by using context clues.
3. Language Use: identify and apply English grammar, usage, and punctuation to a range of English sentence structures on a variety of topics.
4. Essay Writing (dependent upon computerized score): write a response to an open-ended question.

How is my ESL placement assessment scored?

A full-time College ESL or English faculty member evaluates all ESL placement assessments. Your writing will be assessed on fluency, vocabulary, sentence structure,  organization, and evidence of analytical thinking.

How do I take the ESL Placement Assessment?

• First, complete the online 91勛圖 application. Then visit the Testing Center on campus to take the ESL placement assessment. Appointments are recommended but not required. Find locations and hours for the Testing Centers here: 91勛圖 Testing Centers.
• It is important to take the placement assessment at a time you can do your best because you cannot immediately take it again.
• You can email the Testing Center with questions about how to take the ESL placement assessment at 91勛圖Testing@nvcc.edu.

How do I get my results for the ESL Placement Assessment?

• You will receive your assessment result by email. The email will explain which ESL courses you can register for. 
• The results expire after one year.
• Contact the ESL Department on your campus for questions about your placement
• Watch the orientation video to understand class registration information or any other follow-up questions.
• Each ESL class will have a diagnostic test on the first day of class which will assess your academic English language skills related to the focus of the class (e.g., reading and summarizing, writing and grammar, speaking, and listening). Based on the results, Yyour placement may need to be adjusted.

How can I prepare for the ESL Placement Assessment?

You may use any online resources to prepare. Below are some helpful links:

• ESL Review Sheet

How much do the classes cost?

Tuition for College ESL classes is based on the total number of credit hours you register for. If you meet certain Virginia residency requirements, you can pay in-state tuition. Otherwise, you have to pay out-of-state tuition. If you qualify for financial aid, you can use it to pay for College ESL classes.

• For more information about the cost of classes, go to  Tuition and Costs.
• For more information about tuition assistance, go to Financial Aid.

I scored Level I on the ESL Placement Assessment. What should I do?

You should take classes through 91勛圖’s American Culture and Language Institute (ACLI). ACLI offers both intensive and part-time ESL classes at various levels. Please contact ACLI@nvcc.edu for more information.

I am an international student with a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. Can I use that score instead of taking the ESL Placement Assessment?

Yes. 91勛圖 accepts TOEFL, Duolingo, and IELTS scores to issue an I-20 for F-1 visa sponsorship. Depending on your score, you will be placed into the Intensive English, ESL Pathway or Associate degree program.

Go to Steps to Start Your International Student Application and click on "4. English Proficiency Requirements."

If you are placed into the Intensive English program, you will be required to take an additional oral assessment upon arrival at the College.

I took a college composition class at another college or university (or community college) in the United States, and I am transferring that credit to 91勛圖. Do I still need to take the ESL Placement Assessment?

If you earned a grade of C or above for a course equivalent to 91勛圖’s ENG 111 at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, you do not need to take the ESL Placement Assessment. You must show an unofficial transcript to a counselor or advisor. To get credit for ENG 111, have an official transcript from your previous college or university sent to 91勛圖. For more information, go to College Record's Transfer Credit Evaluation and Health Sciences' Transcript Evaluation.

I was tired (or in a hurry) on the day I took the ESL Placement Assessment. I think I can be in a higher-level class. What should I do?

In all ESL classes, on the first day, instructors administer a  diagnostic test that gives students another chance to demonstrate their language skills. Depending on the diagnostic results, your instructor may recommend an adjustment to your level.

I took the ESL Assessment, and I am not happy with the result. When can I retake the ESL Assessment?

• If you are enrolled in College ESL classes now at 91勛圖, do not retake the ESL Placement Assessment. You will be given diagnostic tests on the first day in each of your classes and may be moved to a different level based on the results.
• If you scored in Level 1, you may retest one time after six months of the first attempt.
• If you scored Level 2 or higher but never enrolled in College ESL classes, you may retake the ESL Placement Assessment after one year.
• If you took classes in the past but stopped, you may retake the ESL Placement Assessment one year after the end of your last class.

I completed the ESL program at my high school (or another college). Why do I have to take ESL classes here?

It depends on your GPA and/or your current academic English level. Talking with an advisor about your individual situation will help you decide what is best for you. Contact an ESL advisor on your campus.

Do I have to take all of the courses in one level at the same time?

It is recommended but not required. Each level of College ESL has two or three courses. You can choose to take one, two, or three ESL classes in one semester. However, to complete the level, you must pass all of the courses at that level.

Can I take courses at two different levels at one time?

If you don’t complete a level in one semester, you can enroll in one course at that level and one or two courses at the next level. Be sure to ask a College ESL faculty member to help you make a plan.

Can I take ESL classes on different campuses at the same time?

Yes, you can. However, if you can take all of your classes on one campus, you will benefit from instructors working as teams and becoming part of a learning community with other students on that campus.

Can I take classes in College ESL and ACLI at the same time?

Yes, but remember that the two programs serve students with different educational and professional goals. If you have an F-1 visa, please consult with your international student advisor to ensure you meet your visa requirements. For more information about the two programs, see our program comparison.

I received an “R” grade in an ESL class. Can I retake the placement test to get to a higher level?

No. If you received an “R” grade, you need more time in the class to develop the academic English skills to succeed in the next-level class. The ESL Placement Assessment does not determine whether students have the skills to pass a particular class.

I only want to take one ESL class. Which class should I choose—reading or writing?

In most cases, we recommend that students take the reading class first to help them increase their academic vocabulary and become more fluent. However, the choice of classes depends on your needs. Contact us to discuss which class you should take.

How long does it take to finish the ESL program?

The time required to complete the program depends on your placement level, schedule, and other obligations. Most full-time students complete a level within one semester. On some campuses, we offer intensive 7-week hybrid classes at higher levels, allowing students to complete two levels within one semester.

How many levels are in the ESL program?

There are four levels in the College ESL program and six in the ACLI ESL program.

Can I audit ESL classes?

Legal residents of Virginia may audit 91勛圖 classes, and those over 60 can audit and receive free tuition. 

What is a “hybrid” ESL class? How do I know if this kind of class is good for me?

If you take a hybrid class, you will generally meet 50% of the class time with your classmates and teacher and spend at least 2.5 hours a week working online through a course website. In addition, students in hybrid classes will receive the same amount of homework as regular face-to-face classes.

Students who take hybrid classes need basic computer skills and reliable Internet access. If you like to learn with computers and are an active independent learner, a hybrid class might be a good choice for you.

If you have F-1 visa status, consult your international student advisor before enrolling in hybrid, virtual, or completely online classes to make sure that you meet your visa requirements.

For more information, go to Video: ESL Program Overview, scroll down to "Types of Classes", and watch the "What is a Hybrid Class" section.

Are virtual/remote classes available?

Yes, virtual or remote learning ESL classes are available in the College ESL program. These classes meet on Zoom during the days listed in the class schedule. In addition, students are expected to complete homework assignments through Canvas, a learning management system. To take virtual classes, you need to have a laptop or desktop computer with a working microphone and a web camera, and you need to have reliable internet access. If you do not have a computer, talk to your instructor or check with the Student Services on the campus closest to you to see which options are available.

For more information, go to Video: ESL Program Overview, scroll down to "Types of Classes", and watch the "Where can I take my classes" section.

Can I take an ESL class that is completely online?

Yes, we offer completely online classes in the College ESL program. These classes do not meet; instead, students work independently while receiving feedback from instructors, who are available to meet with individual students if needed. 

For more information, go to Video: ESL Program Overview, scroll down to "Types of Classes", and watch the "What is an 'independent study' (91勛圖 Online) course?" section.

To succeed in these classes, you have to be able to work independently and organize your time well. 

Talk to an ESL advisor about whether a completely online class would be a good fit for you. Contact the ESL department on your campus.

How do I register for my classes?

Please watch the section “Registering and Getting Started with Classes” in the ESL Program Overview video with a tutorial on registering for your class in SIS. If you need help with registration or see an error message that you don’t understand, contact the ESL department on your campus.

I need to register for ENG 111-ESL 95. How do I do that?

ENG 111-ESL 95 courses are taught by the same instructor and scheduled back to back, so they have the matching section numbers. Be sure to find the ESL 95 class first in the 91勛圖 class schedule. Choose the class that works for you and note the section number (e.g., S01N). Then you will need to add the class to your cart in SIS and add the ENG 111 class that has the same section number (e.g., S01N). After you add both of these classes to your cart, be sure to hit “enroll” to finish registration. .

I am trying to register for my ESL classes, but the computer is blocking me. What is the problem?

You may have a hold on your record that is preventing your registration. This means that you need to take an action before you can enroll. Click on View Holds to see the instructions on how to view your hold and understand what you need to do.

I’m an au pair with a J-1 visa. Which 91勛圖 classes are available to me?

If you are placed into Level 1, you may take only ACLI classes. If you are placed into Level 2 or higher, you may take College ESL courses at the recommended level. In addition, if your placement is Level 4 or higher, many 91勛圖 credit classes are available to you. Remember that with your visa status, you will have to pay out-of-state tuition for College ESL or other credit classes. Both College ESL and ACLI classes fulfill the academic requirements of the J-1 visa.

When can I begin taking courses related to my major?

This depends on your ESL placement level. It’s recommended that students on ESL Level 2 and 3 do not take courses related to their major. Level 2 and 3 ESL courses give students a full load and prepare them for academic success in college. Students on Level 4 and 5 can start taking courses that don’t have ENG 111 as a prerequisite. If you are interested in taking courses in a particular department, contact that department for guidance on their  prerequisites for particular courses.

How do I move out of College ESL into ENG 111?

You must pass ESL 51: Composition III (or ESL 58) and ESL 52: Reading III before registering for ENG 111 with ESL 95.

How can I get more information about ESL classes?

Call or visit the ESL office on a 91勛圖 campus.