Is the credit ESL Program right for me?

Yes if —

• you want to study at a college or university after or while you take ESL
• you’ve attended a high school in the U.S.
• you attended a college or university in another country
• your English is above a beginning level
• you expect to do homework outside of class

What courses are part of the credit ESL program?
Oakton offers courses in reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening, and pronunciation. Go to course descriptions here.

How do I register?

• Go to the Office of Admission (Room 1539 in Des Plaines; Room A100 in Skokie) to fill out an application.
• In the Office of Admission, ask for a schedule of the placement tests. You can also get a schedule of the tests in Advising and Counseling Center (Room 1130 in Des Plaines; Room A105 in Skokie).
• Take the writing test (WSAT), reading test (DRP), and math test as soon as possible. If you cannot attend any of the testing sessions, you may be able to take the tests in the Testing Center (Room 2409 in Des Plaines or Room A135 in Skokie.) Do not wait to take the tests. If you wait until the last day, the classes you want may be filled.
• Return to Advising and Counseling Center (Room 1130 in Des Plaines; Room A105 in Skokie) to get your test results.
• Register for the appropriate ESL courses, (Room 1260 in Des Plaines; Room A100 in Skokie) or see a counselor or ESL advisor to talk about your results before you register.
• If you want to take courses outside of ESL, you'll probably need to speak to a counselor or ESL advisor. See a schedule of ESL advising times.
  

When and where do the classes meet?
Classes are offered on the Des Plaines and Ray Hartstein campuses at various times during the week and on weekends.

Do I need to take the TOEFL?
Only students attending Oakton on a student visa need to take the TOEFL. More information is available on the International Students Admission page.

Can I take other courses while I’m taking ESL courses?
Probably. If your reading and writing placement is EGL 071/074, 072/075, or 073/076, you’ll need to get approval for non-English courses from an ESL advisor or counselor.

What other programs and services and Oakton can help ESL students?
Oakton offers many programs and services to help you meet your academic and career goals.

• For free tutoring, free conversation groups and other services, visit the Learning Center and Language Lab.
• Do you need to do research or find a good book? Visit the Library.
• Are you interested in exploring career options or finding a job now? Visit Career Services.
• For more information on English classes after ESL, look at the English Department Web site.
• If you need to see a counselor or check on Oakton program requirements, visit Advising and Counseling Center.
  

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Oakton Community College
1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016-1268
7701 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077-2895

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