Frequently Asked Questions

New Students:  Please contact the Admissions Office, East Campus, now!
You need to complete an application & placement test BEFORE registration.

Can credit ESOL courses be used for other college requirements?

Yes. Some ESOL course credits can be applied toward some degree programs as humanities/foreign language electives.

Is there a certificate in ESOL at CT State Norwalk?

Yes. There is the ESOL Advanced English Proficiency Certificate.

Can students take other courses besides ESOL?

Yes. Students can take other college courses besides ESOL, depending on their ESOL level. The Advising Grid will tell you which classes you can take at your ESOL level. For example, in ESOL 0902 (Integrated Skills I) you can also take math.

What are blended classes?

All credit ESOL courses can be taken as non-credit for reduced tuition. Students must be eligible to take the credit level courses and get a “P” (equal to a “C” letter grade in credit) to pass to the next higher credit ESOL level.

Students planning to get a degree and/or the ESOL Advanced English Proficiency Certificate or take other college courses may need to take credit-level ESOL courses to succeed in English Composition.

What happens in credit ESOL courses?

  • Core courses are based on reading and writing
  • Regular attendance is required
  • Students keep writing portfolios
  • Course work is completed in labs and online
  • At least a C- is required to pass to the next ESOL level
  • Group work and presentations

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of student writing assignments, mostly essays. At the end of the semester, teachers evaluate all work to decide if the student passes to the next level.

Is homework important?

Yes! Students should expect to do 6 hours of work a week outside of class. Not doing assignments could result in repeating a course.

Can a student skip an ESOL level?

Yes. If the student’s writing is strong enough. The professor at the higher level and the ESOL director will evaluate the student’s portfolio to see if the student is ready for the higher level.

What if a student needs help outside of class?

The credit ESOL program has a tutoring program for students who need extra help with their writing or grammar. Please see the tutoring center.

Is there a language lab?

Yes. ESOL 0902, 1202, and 1302 courses require weekly lab practice.

Activities include grammar, listening comprehension, and group projects and discussions.

Al students can use the lab as a study space.

What happens when a student finishes the ESOL program?

After completing ESOL 1502/1512, a student is usually ready to take ENG 1010 Composition (required of all CT State students).

Most college courses require eligibility for ENG 1010. Some require the completion of ENG 1010 first.

I want to study English. What do I do?

First, contact the Admissions Office soon or visit the office on East Campus.  You need to complete an application and an appointment for the placement test.

Placement tests:  Does everyone need a Placement Test?

Yes.  All new students who want to take ESOL classes or regular college credit classes must take the ESOL Placement Test to determine their level. After you complete the application, you will receive a student number. Use the number to make an appointment for the ESOL Placement Test.

Registration: What do I do after the test?

After the test, we will email you the test results.  Then come to the ESOL Office, East Campus Room 206. We will help you choose a class.  ESOL Registration must be IN PERSON – no online registration, no mail, no fax.

Cost:  How much are the classes?

ESOL Non-credit classes (Basic Levels) are usually $399 (58 hours) in the Fall and Spring.  In the Summer, the ESOL Non-credit classes are usually $299 – $399.  (Some classes are shorter and cheaper). ESOL Credit classes (Intermediate and Advanced Levels) cost about $500 – $1,200.  Books cost about $50 – $100 per class.  You can pay with credit card (Master Card or Visa), check, cash or money order.

ESOL Non-credit classes are now offering payment plans to help support you throughout your academic journey. Use the ESL Payment Plan Worksheet (available in English and Spanish) and follow all necessary instructions.

For questions regarding payment plan enrollment, please call the Business Office at 203-857-7046 or email businessoffice@norwalk.edu.

Classes:  Are the classes still available?

The ESOL classes are very popular, so please complete the application and make an appointment for the placement test soon. You can check the enrollment on the course search.

Schedule:  What is the class schedule?

ESOL Non-credit courses usually meet for two times a week for 14 weeks.  The classes meet in the morning, noon, afternoon, evening, or Saturdays in Norwalk.  ESOL Non-credit Summer classes usually meet three times a week in the mornings or the evenings for seven weeks (end of May through July. Some classes are shorter and cheaper).   The ESOL Credit Courses also have more advanced classes at other days and times.

For more information, please watch a short video about ESOL at NCC