ESL Guided Placement
Welcome, ESL students!
The fourth step of the registration process is course selection for math, English, and ESL. This process begins with completion of the Guided Placement Tool.
ESL Placement Process
Cypress College uses a Guided Placement process for ESL course placement. All students should complete the Cypress College Guided Placement process in myGateway.
| ESL Placement Process |
| Step 1: Guided Placement Tool To use the tool: Log in to myGateway Scroll down the left navigation list to select CC StudentTools Select Cypress College Guided Placement Complete the Guided Placement tool. |
| Step 2: Counseling Appointment Students should meet with a counselor for ESL placement questions or help. E: mharo@cypresscollege.edu E: dtharani@cypresscollege.edu (for international students) |
If you experience any problems using the Guided Placement tool, seeing ESL course options, selecting a course, and/or registering for an ESL course, let us know, and we will help you through the process! Email esl@cypresscollege.edu.
Pathways for English Language Learners
Pathway for U.S. High School Graduates or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, CHSPE)
These students have the right to access any ESL course, including ESL 110C, as well as ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E.
Pathway for All Other New ESL Students
ESL or multilingual students who have not earned a U.S. high school diploma (or equivalent) should use the Guided Placement process (see above) to review the ESL courses descriptions and samples and select the best ESL course that matches their skills.
For a quick reference or preview, please review the courses below.
Guided Placement: ESL Course Selection Process
When you log into myGateway to complete the Guided Placement process, you will review ESL course descriptions as well as sample readings and student writing for each course level. After reviewing this information, you will select the ESL course that best fits your level.
The following chart is merely for reference. New students must use the Guided Placement to select a course and receive clearance to register for that course.
| Level | Placement | Writing | Reading | Listening | Speaking |
| Proficient | ESL 110 | Write 5 to 7 page essays in academic English with little or no help. | Read college level readings/articles in English, including a 300-350 page novel or nonfiction with little or no dictionary help. | Fully understand and take notes during a college lecture in English on academic topics such as psychology and sociology. | Communicate fully in college, at work, or in the community with native speakers of English with little or no confusion. My oral English is or is almost as good as my native language. |
| High Advanced | ESL 109 | Write 3 to 5 page essays in academic English with some help. | Read college-level readings/articles in English, including a 250-300 page novel or nonfiction with some dictionary help. | Mostly understand and take brief notes a college lecture in English on academic topics such as psychology and sociology. | Communicate in college, at work, or in the community with native speakers of English. There are a few times when I can’t say what I want to say in English. |
| Advanced | ESL 108 | Write 2 to 3 page essays in academic English with some help. | Read short college-level readings/articles in English, including a 150-200 page novel or nonfiction with dictionary help. | Mostly understand a college lecture in English on academic topics such as psychology and sociology. | Communicate in college, at work, or in the community in English. There are some times when I can’t say what I want to say in English. |
| Low Advanced | ESL 107 | Write a paragraph or a few paragraphs in academic English with some help. | Read short readings/articles and multi-paragraph articles in English. I occasionally need to use my translator to understand academic words. | Understand some parts of a college lecture in English on academic topics such as psychology and sociology, but I often have trouble following the professor. | Communicate in college, at work or in the community in English. There are many times when I can’t say what I want to say in English, especially in academic topics. |
| High Intermediate | ESL 106 | Write a paragraph in English with help. | Read several pages in English about a familiar topic and understand most of the ideas. I often use my translator to read in English. | Understand most general conversations in English in social situations, but sometimes I can’t understand everything. | Communicate in English in most social situations. There are often times I can’t say what I want to say in English. |
| Low Intermediate | ESL 105 | Write a group of sentences in English with help. | Understand simple readings with short sentences, but sometimes I do not know all of the words. I use my translator to read most things in English. | Understand a slow-paced conversation in English on a familiar topic or in practical everyday situations, such as shopping or the weather. | Communicate in English about familiar topics or practical everyday situations, such as shopping or the weather. There are often times I can’t say in English what I want to say. |
For more information about the credit ESL program at Cypress College, visit the ESL web page. For questions or help with ESL course placement and registration, email esl@cypresscollege.edu.
