English Language Skills
Montgomery College offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. There are three ESL programs for adult learners whose first language is not English.
Note: Non-immigrants who need to show enrollment (F and J status) cannot attend the ESOL program. If you need the I-20 for an F-1 student visa, you must show proof of your English language proficiency level before being admitted to Montgomery College. See English Language Assessment & ESLnew window for more information.
Program Details
This program is for you if you want:
- English for life, work, and the community.
- To learn to read in English.
- Basic Skills development.
- English to prepare for specific jobs or job-training programs in healthcare, customer service, building trades, and technology.
- There are additional programs for computer literacy, citizenship, and Vocational ESOL and job training for refugees and asylees.
Placement test: CASAS tests or other tests. Depending on the class or program there may be additional
entrance requirements.
Locations: Many sites throughout Montgomery County.
Tuition: Most Beginning to Intermediate ESOL level classes are free. This varies by program
and class. Attend Registration or Orientation session to learn more. If you have
a F1 Visa or J1 Visa you may not take these classes.
This program also offers:
This program is for you if you want:
- To work on your reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills.
- Help in building a strong foundation for academic English.
- To improve your English to prepare for the Accuplacer ESL.
- To take a TOEFL preparation course.
Placement test: ESL Assessment (ESLA) or Accuplacer ESL Test and Writing Sample.
Locations: Rockville and Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campuses
Tuition: Yes.
This program is for you if you want:
- Classes that focus on English for academic purposes.
- To study for a degree and take some credit courses while working on your English language skills within an academic context.
- Classes higher in level than most courses in the other two English language programs.
Placement test: Accuplacer ESL Test and Writing Sample
Locations: Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campuses.
