Academic English as a Second Language (ESL)
Students: Ready to improve your academic English language skills to succeed in college and beyond?
letter of interest (english & espanol)
ABOUT AESL
- The Academic ESL Program has four levels of classes (Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5).
- The Academic ESL classes include reading, speaking, and listening, writing and grammar.
- Level 2 classes are free and non-credit. Levels 3, 4, and 5 classes offer college credit that can be used toward a college degree or certificate.
- Academic ESL students taking level 4 and level 5 classes can take other college courses like math, computer applications, and more.
- Students in our program can use up to 15 ESL college credits toward their degree or certificate. To learn more about the requirements for your specific program of study, click here or speak with your advisor.
- Free of charge, all Academic ESL students receive tutoring, student success advice, academic advising, and more. Click here for the tutoring schedule.
Follow these steps to apply to HCC's ESL program.
- Apply to HCC. Contact the HCC Admissions office at 413.552.2321, or click here.
- Apply for financial aid. Contact the HCC Financial Aid office at 413.552.2150, or click here.
- Contact the ESL Support Program office and provide your email, HCC ID #, and phone number. Schedule an online appointment to complete your ESL interview and writing assessment.
- Gladys at 413.552.2553, gmontero@hcc.edu (Spanish/English)
- Marina at 413.552.2234, mkorchevska@hcc.edu (Russian/English)
- Attend your scheduled online appointment with the ESL Support Program to complete your assessment and register for classes! You will learn more about additional orientations.
Academic ESL Full Program
| ESL LEVEL 2 | Grammar 2, Speaking & Listening 2, and Reading & Writing 2 (FREE classes!) |
| ESL LEVEL 3 | Reading, Speaking & Listening 3, Writing & Grammar 3 |
| ESL LEVEL 4* | Reading, Speaking & Listening 4, Writing & Grammar 4 |
| ESL LEVEL 5* | Reading, Speaking & Listening 5, Writing & Grammar 5 → Learning Communities ESL RW5 & English 095 |
*Level 4 and 5 students can take other hcc college classes.
You can view upcoming course offerings online with Course Finder.
In 1991, the Faculty Senate of Holyoke Community College voted to grant academic credit for all ESL classes. The motion accepted on that day reads as follows: "Students should be able to earn a maximum of 15 credits of liberal arts elective credits for ESL classes taken at any level (beginning through advanced). The actual amount of credit that a student could apply toward a degree would depend on the number of liberal arts or general electives that the student's degree program accepts."
WHEN I CAME HERE, MY ENGLISH WAS ZERO. I WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE IN ENGLISH. THANKS TO HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S ESL PROGRAM, I AM THE WOMAN THAT I AM TODAY."
DEYDAMIA RODRÍGUEZ
