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College of Marin English as a Second Language Noncredit Levels
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Levels of Noncredit ESL

All levels of ESL teach vocabulary and grammar using all skills:

Reading and Writing, Listening, Speaking and Pronunciation

Level 10

  • Maybe you can’t read and write in your own language
  • Maybe you don’t know ANY words in English.
  • Maybe you know a few words, but you have no idea how put them together to
    ask or answer a question....
  • Maybe you are beginning to put sentences together but don’t have confidence yet.

Level 20 – 25

  • You know how to ask and answer basic things and know vocabulary to describe
    everyday people, places and things.
  • You want to express yourself better about yesterday, today and tomorrow.
  • You want to tell people what you want or need or can do.
  • You want to tell people about what you have to do.
  • You want to say what you like better.

Level 30

  • You want to talk about your experiences in life and work.
  • You want to describe how your life was before.
  • You want to learn more verbs and verb forms.

Level 35

  • You know the vocabulary and grammar basics, but you make mistakes.
  • You will have more practice using what you know in all skill areas.
  • You will read more and begin to create longer sentences and simple paragraphs!

Level 40

  • You will review everything you have learned so far.
  • You might read an entire book in English!
  • You might learn how to use an English-English Dictionary!
  • You will learn skills needed to go on to credit ESL classes including writing
    simple paragraphs, using computers for research and giving oral presentations.

Pronunciation:
The following additional classes are open to all students including level 10 who
have completed at least one semester of ESL:

  • Pronunciation (in the morning and the evening)

Vocational ESL Classes (funded by a grant from the Marin Community Foundation)

The following additional classes are open to all students

English for Hotel and Restaurant Workers

This course will emphasize English language skills to communicate clearly with customers and colleagues in the hotel and restaurant business. Level 30 and up.

English for Childcare Workers A

This course will focus on developing language skills for anyone working with children – parents, babysitters, au pairs, and childcare workers. Topics covered: childcare settings, language development in children, social interaction, communication with parents and co-workers, and safety. Level 20 and up.

English for Childcare Workers B

This course will focus on developing language skills for anyone working with children – parents, babysitters, au pairs, and childcare workers. Topics covered: role of childcare givers, communicating with children, conflict resolution, discipline strategies, communicating with parents and co-workers, vocabulary for safety, and preventing and responding to accidents. Level 20 and up.

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English as a Second Language webpage
Technical Contact: Sara McKinnnon, Noncredit ESL Coordinator, ext. 7924
Content Responsible: Barbara Bonander, Chair of College Skills Department, ext. 7351