Come and study English as a Second Language in the United States. Even if you have lived in the USA, you may need to improve your English skills. The ESL classes at Hocking College can help you. We have taught students from various backgrounds and ages to improve their language skills in our classes. ESL classes have academic benefits, which include a better understanding of teachers, other students and the material in traditional classes; improving job prospects and work relationships; and, better life experiences as a result of stronger English skills.

The students who take ESL classes come from many countries and first languages. Since 1990, we have taught students from the following areas:

Argentina, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Siberia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.

Levels

ESL classes offer several levels. After a student is tested, he or she can register for ESL classes. See the ESL Calendar for testing and other start dates. ESL courses are credit bearing. The ESL faculty will assess, evaluate and place students into one of five levels. If a student does not pass classes on a level, he or she will need to repeat it.

If you need to leave Hocking for a term or longer, when you return, you will be re-tested before you can register for classes. This way, if your level has changed, you will be in classes that best fit your level.

ESL Certificates: Participation, Completion and Excellence

Students who would like to receive an ESL Certificate of Participation must register for and complete 13 or more ESL credits in any particular term, and on any level. This certificate shows proof of attendance and work. It is not dependent on passing final grades for that term.

Students who would like to receive an ESL Certificate of Completion must be tested eligible to enroll in the Intermediate II or higher classes. He or she must register for and complete all the classes on that level and pass each class with a 70 percent or higher. This certificate shows proof of attendance, work and a passing level of achievement.

Students who would like to receive an ESL Certificate of Excellence must be tested eligible to enroll in the Intermediate II or higher classes. He or she must register for and complete all the classes on the levels and pass each class with a 90 percent or higher. This certificate shows proof of attendance, work and a strong level of achievement.