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ESL Students
English as a Second Language (ESL)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) department at College of San Mateo (CSM) is a diverse community of faculty, staff, and learners coming from over 50 different language backgrounds.

Our mission is to help multilingual learners improve their English-language skills to achieve a variety of goals. Some learners are improving their English skills to earn a certificate/degree at CSM or transfer to a university to improve job prospects and earning potential. Others want to improve their language for everyday life. No matter what your reason is for improving your English skills, we can help you reach your goal!

The department offers a core curriculum of intermediate and advanced courses in reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as supplemental courses in grammar review and pronunciation. The ESL department also has its own learning center on campus, the ESL Center, which provides free tutoring and support for ESL students and offers lab-only, independent-study courses in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To learn more about our ESL program, please enjoy this introductory video:

ESL Course Sequence

Program Skill Levels Grammar & Writing Listening & Speaking Reading & Vocabulary
Level 5
High‑Advanced
ESL 400
(Transfer)
ESL 401
(Transfer)
 
Level 4
Low‑Advanced
ESL 828 ESL 848 ESL 858
 
Level 3
High‑Intermediate
ESL 827 ESL 847 ESL 857
 
Level 2
Low‑Intermediate
ESL 826 ESL 846 ESL 856
     
Level 1
Beginning
Level 1 classes currently only offered at Cañada College

ESL Supplemental  Courses

Program Skill Levels Grammar & Writing Listening & Speaking Reading & Vocabulary
Level 3+
High‑Intermediate+
Grammar Review
ESL 898
Pronunciation
ESL 888
ESL 887
 

ESL Lab-Only Courses

Program Skill Levels Grammar & Writing Listening & Speaking Reading & Vocabulary
Multiple Levels ESL 908
ESL 907
ESL 849
ESL 865
ESL 895
ESL 899
ESL 897