Garden City Community College

Discover English as a Second Language (ESL) at GCCC

 

At GCCC, we want our English Language Learners (ELLs) to be successful in all of their courses and to graduate as soon as possible. To do this, many language learners will need to upgrade their English skills to meet the college's challenging academic reading and writing requirements. Therefore, GCCC offers college-level English as a Second Language (ESL) sections of courses that many college students need:

ENGL 090: Basic English

ENGL 101: English I

READ 092: Reading Improvement

The ESL sections of these courses are equal to the sections designed for native English speakers and have the same student learning outcomes. The ESL sections, along with their companions, are designed to provide the just-in-time English language support ELLs need to move more quickly and successfully through required course sequences.  

 

 

Courses Designed for English Language Learner Success

 

Course	Course Description	Class Schedule	Placement Requirements (Students must meet ONE of the following)
ENGL 090 Basic English 3 Hours	This course introduces students to writing. The main objective of this class is to teach students how to write complete sentences, develop paragraphs and five-paragraph essays, and learn the basic grammar of standard written English. Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in the course in order to enroll in English I. Students may advance directly to English I dependent upon instructor and English Department recommendations. Students may retake the placement test to earn a score qualifying for English I. This course does not meet degree requirements. Co-enrollment in ENGL 0883 is required.	Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30-9:23 a.m.	High School Transcript: GPA < 2.49 GED Test Score: 145-154 ACT Test Score: 0-14 SAT Test Score: 0-360 Accuplacer Score: 200-236
ENGL 0883 Basic English Companion 3 Hours	This course is designed to support the writing process for English Language Learners concurrently enrolled in ENGL 090: Basic English. This course assists students' understanding of ENGL 090 assignments while guiding them through sentence composition, paragraph and essay composing processes, formal vocabulary building, grammar, punctuation, editing techniques, and presentation basics. A grade of C or higher is required to enroll in English I. This course does not meet degree requirements. Co-enrollment in ENGL 090 is required.	Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-10:23 a.m.	High School Transcript: GPA < 2.49 GED Test Score: 145-154 ACT Test Score: 0-14 SAT Test Score: 0-360 Accuplacer Score: 200-236
ENGL 101 English I 3 Hours	This course applies the various modes in the writing process in expressive and expository writing. Students refine skills in diction, sentence structure, organization, and development of ideas, grammar, mechanics, and critical thinking. A grade of C or higher is required to enroll in English II. This course meets degree requirements. Co-enrollment in ENGL 0983 is required.	Monday Wednesday and Friday 10:30-11:23 a.m.	High School Transcript: GPA  < 2.5-3.0 GED Test Score: 155-164 ACT Test Score: 15-17 SAT Test Score: 370-420 Accuplacer Score: 237-254
ENGL 0983 English I Companion 3 Hours	This course is designed to support the writing process for English Language Learners concurrently enrolled in ENGL 101: English I. This course assists students' understanding of ENGL 101 assignments while guiding them through sentence composition, essay composing processes, formal vocabulary building, grammar, punctuation, source citation, editing techniques, and presentation techniques. A grade of C or higher is required to enroll in English II. This course does not meet degree requirements. Co-enrollment in ENGL 101 is required.	Tuesday and Thursday 10:30-11:53 a.m.	High School Transcript: GPA  < 2.5-3.0 GED Test Score: 155-164 ACT Test Score: 15-17 SAT Test Score: 370-420   Accuplacer Score: 237-254
READ 092 Reading Improvement 3 Hours	Reading Improvement is designed to improve basic reading skills. The focus of the course is on the improvement of comprehension skills, vocabulary development, and strategy use. Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in the course in order to enroll in READ 093. This course does not meet degree requirements.	Monday Wednesday and Friday 9:30-10:23 a.m.	High School Transcript: GPA < 2.49 GED Test Score: 145-154 ACT Test Score: 0-13   SAT Test Score: 0-350 Accuplacer Score: 200-236

 

If you are interested in taking college-level classes, please follow these steps:

1. Complete a college application in the Admissions office on the first floor of the Student and Community Services Center building or complete the online application here.
2. Provide the college with information that will help us to place you in the courses that best match your skills. Choose one of the following options:
1. Call (620) 276-9654 or go to the Assessment Center on the second floor of the Student & Community Service Center building to take the Accuplacer Placement Test.
2. Provide us with a copy of your GED scores (must be less than three years old)
3. Provide us with a copy of your High School transcript (must be less than three years old)
4. Provide us with a copy of your ACT or SAT scores (must be less than three years old)
3. See an advisor to help you enroll in courses based on your test results.

 

Meet the Instructor

Jean Louise Ferguson is the instructor for the college-level ESL courses. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics with a specialization in teaching ESL from The Pennsylvania State University. During her career, she has tutored and taught all levels of ESL in Connecticut, Japan, Pennsylvania, and here at GCCC.

 

If you have more questions, please contact
Dr. Jean Ferguson
ESL Instructor
1060 Academic Building
(620) 276-9639
jean.ferguson@gcccks.edu

 

If you are interested in ESL courses that prepare students with workplace and social English skills below the college level, please visit the Garden City Career Connection Academy page for more information.