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English as a Second Language Noncredit

Sacramento City College English as a Second Language

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Department serves multilingual students, non-native speakers, long-term residents and international students who need instruction in the English language.

The courses in English as a Second Language Noncredit are part of our Noncredit Education offerings.

Dean Jon Hanson
Department Chair Joanna Prado
Meta Major Arts and Communication
Program Details English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Details
Phone (916) 558-2324
Email AguirrS2@scc.losrios.edu

English as a Second Language - Noncredit (ESLNC) Courses

ESLNC 9011 Noncredit ESL Grammar Foundations 2

Units:0
Hours:108 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is for new English language learners who want to know more about basic grammar and how to put sentences together in English. We will review the alphabet, as well as the simple present, simple past, and present continuous verb tenses. We will practice using this grammar by applying it to everyday situations, such as introducing yourself, talking about your past, and/or talking about what you are doing now. This is for students who are very new to English and want to become more comfortable writing and speaking simple sentences. This is a repeatable non-credit course which is free for students.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

write messages and descriptions.
copy information.
fill out basic forms.
write answers to personal questions and descriptions.
produce short written passages to practice grammar structures.
read and understand grammar structures in short written passages with basic vocabulary.
identify grammatical parts of speech.
recognize and use certain verbs in basic verb tenses.
recognize and use certain modal verbs.
recognize and use certain grammatical features at the Foundations 2 level in appropriate word order and context.
use the basic mechanics of English (the alphabet, words, numbers, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling, as well as American writing conventions regarding legibility, page orientation, and letter/word orientation on lined paper).

ESLNC 9012 Noncredit ESL Communication Foundations 2

Units:0
Hours:108 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is for non-native speakers of English, and would be helpful for people who are new to the United States. In this class students will learn how to have simple conversations in English for everyday situations. For example, students may role play checking out at the grocery store, answering questions at the doctor’s office, or ordering at a restaurant. The lessons will center on building communication skills through simple conversations about family, work, community, and everyday needs, with an additional focus on American culture. Students will also review the English alphabet and learn the sounds of English. Students should be prepared to talk to everyone in the class, as the main focus will be on speaking skills. This is a repeatable non-credit course which is free for students.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

speak and respond to common courtesy and introduction expressions.
indicate communication problems in a number of ways.
describe matters related to personal experiences and feelings.
tell a short story about an everyday activity.
comprehend spoken requests for repetition and clarification.
identify expressions used to ask for and grant permission.
follow basic oral instructions and requests.
comprehend basic information from a listening text.

ESLNC 9021 Noncredit ESL Grammar Foundations 3

Units:0
Hours:108 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course focuses on fundamental grammar skills, including parts of speech, sentence structure, and basic verb tenses necessary for writing. Students will learn to make sentences and questions in the simple present, simple past, and simple future tenses. This course is ideal for students who are forming a basic understanding of English grammar. Students in this class should already feel comfortable using the alphabet and writing basic sentences such as “My name is Bob” or “I live in Sacramento.” We will build on those skills in this class so that by the end, students are also able to write questions and statements, and name parts of speech. This is a repeatable non-credit course which is free for students.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

identify basic grammatical parts of speech.
identify basic verb tenses.
identify Student Services, the ESL counselor, and related resources.

ESLNC 9022 Noncredit ESL Communication Foundations 3

Units:0
Hours:108 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is for non-native speakers of English and would be helpful for people who are new to the United States. In this class students will learn how to speak English for everyday situations, for example making a doctor’s appointment, or meeting new people at work. The lessons will center on building communication skills through simple conversations about family, work, community, and everyday needs, with an additional focus on American culture. The sounds of American English and basics of pronunciation will also be covered. Students should be prepared to talk to everyone in the class, as the main focus will be on speaking skills. This is a repeatable non-credit course which is free for students.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

demonstrate understanding of short, previously learned words or phrases, particularly when the situation strongly supports understanding; demonstrate understanding of short phrases or sentences about topics that refer to basic personal information or the immediate physical setting; demonstrate understanding of presented vocabulary and common social phrases required for everyday conversations connected to biographical information, describing people, weather, time, food, clothing, housing, shopping, and daily activities.
use vocabulary and short, learned phrases sufficient for meeting simple needs and for expressing basic courtesies; tell a personal experience story; speak with accuracy using presented vocabulary and structures required for everyday conversations connected to biographical information, describing people, weather, time, food, clothing, housing, shopping, and daily activities.
state the names of various occupations; state the names of various careers and match them to a description; interview classmates about their jobs and career goals; differentiate personal qualities and skills needed for presented jobs; perform basic conversations about looking for work; fill out basic registration forms; state personal short-term and long-term goals.