Students who want to enroll in ESL courses MUST complete the ESL Guided Placement process before registering for any ESLW (credit) or NCEL (noncredit) course.
Students with a goal of a degree or transfer who are seeking further ESL instruction have a right to access academic ESL courses.
ESL students are required to have access to a computer in order to complete assignments and take the placement assessment. If you don鈥檛 own a computer and can鈥檛 afford one, some loaner computers may be available 鈥� please email [email protected] before the semester begins.
Process to Take ESL Classes at West Valley
Step 1: Apply to the College
- Earn units
- Pay fees
- For degree-seeking students
- Earn letter grades
- Financial Aid recipients
- EOPS students
- No units
- Free
- Take for pass/no pass
- May earn a certificate
- Repeatable
Within a few days, look for your West Valley Student ID number and WVM username/email in an email from the college. If you do not receive your ID number, email [email protected]
Step 2: Complete Guided Placement Tool
The placement process will take about 10 minutes. It is not a test. You are the best judge of what you can and cannot accomplish in English. You need to think about what you can do now in English in your reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Then you will choose the appropriate level for your skills in the ESL program.
To access the guided ESL placement, you need to sign into the Portal. Find your username and password.
For more assistance after your ESL self-placement, visit the ESL homepage or the Welcome Center.
Step 3: Register for Classes
Register for credit (ESLW) or noncredit (NCEL) classes.
Please note: If the class you want is full, you should add your name to the waitlist. When enough students are on the wait list, the college may open a new class section.
Wait .
Step 4: Pay Fees
Pay tuition fees for credit classes.
Choose classes that fit your schedule 鈥� take one or both classes (LS and RW) at each level.
Step 5: Attend an Optional ESL Information Session
Attend an optional ESL information session on Tuesday, August 20 from 1:00 PM 鈥� 3:00 PM in SSC 105A.
Step 6: Attend Classes
Attend the first day of class starting on Saturday, August 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
ESL may not be repeated. Please attend the class you were placed into and review the course content with your instructor before challenging.
ESL Students: Log back into the .