Information for Counselors/Advisors and Students

• English as a Second Language (ESL)*
• English as a Second Language for Academics (ESLA)*
• English for Academic Purposes (ENGA)

* All but one of the ESL courses that are offered during the day are cross-listed with ESLA courses. All evening courses are just ESL. See the complete schedule of classes.

English language learners (ELLs) register for ESL (non-credit) classes if they:

• have to pay out-of-state tuition;
• have an F-2 J-1, or J-2 visa;
• want to improve English skills for training or employment opportunities; and/or
• plan to take ESLA after they have in their possession, documents and/or evidence of a high school diploma, residency, etc.

ESLA (credit) classes if they:

• want to improve their reading, writing, grammar, and listening/speaking skills for college-level courses; and
• have an F-1 visa; or
• are *U.S. citizens or permanent residents who wish to continue their education at SAC, transfer to university programs or pursue professional careers.

(*NOTE: ESLA students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may also qualify for financial aid; however, they should consider taking non-credit ESL classes. Read the Important Note under "How much do I pay?")

Upon completion of the ESLA sequence of courses, ESLA students register for English for Academic Purposes (ENGA) courses.

• When students complete all requirements for ENGA, they also meet the English/reading basic skills prerequisite to enroll in college-level courses;
• The ENGA courses are specifically designed for English language learners (ELLs) and are fast-paced, 8 weeks for each course.

Students who have completed ENGA and have enrolled in English 1301 have a success rate (A, B, or C grade) of approximately 92%, and 70% of the students receive an A or B grade. (1)

ENGA 0353 and 0363 (Reading and Vocabulary)
ENGA 0351 and 0361 (Composition and Grammar)

Note: All students who register for ENGA for the first time must enroll in ENGA 0351 and/or ENGA 0353. All ENGA courses are only available as credit classes.

Students complete the English placement test (no charge) in the Oppenheimer Academic Center (OC) 119.

They may need to enroll in one or more ESLA courses (based on a student's score on the English placement test) before they qualify for ENGA.

They must complete AlamoENROLL and the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam.

Note: An administrative aide in OC 119 will give you a referral form. Take it with you when you go to the testing center and show it to a clerk there. After you take the TSI, you must immediately return to OC 119, give the referral back to an administrative assistant, and register for ENGA (or level 4).

Are you a U.S. resident? If so, and if you are currently taking CE ESL level 4, you must do the following immediately:

1. Send your non-US high school transcripts to a foreign credential evaluation & translation service approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
2. Complete the college application: Apply Texas. (You should receive an electronic letter in a week.)
3. After you receive the letter, go to Oppenheimer (OC) 119 and ask an administrative assistant for a referral form for the TSI.
4. Go to the testing center in Fletcher (FAB) 112 and show the referral form to an administrative assistant (keep the referral).
5. Complete AlamoENROLL.
6. Complete GoFARR and Test Prep (2 hours) before you start the TSI.
7. Take the TSI exam (3 ½ hours).
8. Immediately go back to OC 119, give the referral back to the administrative aide, and register for ENGA.

If you are not a U.S. resident and you want to register for ENGA, you may want to apply for an I-20 to be an international student. This process may take several months, so start immediately.

For more information about how to apply for an I-20, contact the International Student Services in Oppenheimer 220.