English Language Proficiency Requirements
Students must have a certain level of English proficiency to be successful at Las Positas College. We offer 2 levels of admission: full and conditional admission.
Full Admission is offered to students who demonstrate college level English proficiency. Students who are offered full admission may take any academic classes that they meet the prerequisites for. Additional English as a Second Language (ESL) classes may be recommended according to students' English Assessment test results, but are not required.
Conditional Admission is offered to students whose English language proficiency scores indicate the need for additional English language training. Students admitted conditionally take a combination of ESL and academic classes. They are required to take the appropriate ESL classes and may choose other academic classes from a list of pre-approved list of academic courses.
We do not require proof of an English proficiency exam if you:
- are a native citizen of a country where English is a first language (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom), or
- have studied in a high school or college for a minimum of 3 years in which the primary language of instruction is English (with a letter from the school), or
- are eligible for our English 1A (Critical Reading and Composition) course by having passed the equivalent of the Las Positas College course ESL 25, English 104 or 105 with a C grade or higher at another accredited U.S. community college or University (with an official school transcript)
Full admission will be granted to students who submit one of the following English language proficiency test results:
| Test | Minimum Result Required for Full Admission |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet) | 61 iBT |
| TOEFL (paper) | 500 PBT |
| IELTS - Academic | 5.5 |
| iTEP - Academic | Level 4 |
| EIKEN | Grade 2A |
| PTE | 45 |
| Duolingo Test | 95 |
For students currently in the United States, the following option is also available:
| Test | Minimum Result Required for Full Admission |
|---|---|
| Las Positas College ESL Assessment Test | ESL 3A (level 5 out of 6) |
Conditional Admission will be granted to students who submit one of the following English language proficiency test results:
| Test | Minimum Result Required for Conditional Admission |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet) | 45 iBT |
| TOEFL (paper) | 450 |
| IELTS - Academic | 5.0 |
| iTEP - Academic | Level 3.5 |
| EIKEN | Grade 2 |
| PTE | 39 |
| Duolingo Test | 75 |
For students currently in the United States, the following option is also available:
| Test | Minimum Result Required for Conditional Admission |
|---|---|
| Las Positas College ESL Assessment Test | ESL 2A (level 3 out of 6) |
Students admitted conditionally MUST take both required English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as determined by the Las Positas College English Language Assessment Test. In addition, these students MUST take only other courses that are on the Preapproved Course Listing according to their ESL level. The required ESL classes and preapproved list with corresponding unit values is as follows:
ESL 1A - (level 1) Low Beginner
- ESL 130A (3) Beginning Grammar I - Required
- ESL 131A (6) Beginning Reading and Writing I - Required
ELECTIVES:
- ESL 133 (2) Beginning Oral Communication
- ESL 136 (2) Pronunciation and Fluency
- KIN classes (with the exception of KIN FC)
- PCN 28 (1) Orientation for International Students *required during first semester
ESL 1B - (level 2) High Beginner
- ESL 130B (3) Beginning Grammar II- Required
- ESL 131B (6) Beginning Reading and Writing II - Required
ELECTIVES:
- ESL 133 (2) Beginning Oral Communication
- ESL 136 (2) Pronunciation and Fluency
- KIN classes (with the exception of KIN FC)
- PCN 28 (1) Orientation for International Students *required during first semester
ESL 2A - (level 3) Low Intermediate
- ESL 120A (3) Intermediate Grammar I - Required
- ESL 121A (6) Intermediate Reading and Writing I - Required
ELECTIVES:
- ESL 123 (2) Intermediate Oral Communication
- ESL 126 (2) Pronunciation of English
- ARTS 2A (3) Introduction to Drawing
- CIS 8 (2) Essential Computing Skills
- CIS 71 (1) Computer Typing
- KIN classes
- MATH classes
- MUS 16 (1) College Orchestra
- MUS 20 (1) Elementary Guitar
- MUS 21A (1) Beginning Piano
- MUS 21B (1) Beginning Piano: Intermediate
- PCN 28 (1) Orientation for International Students *required during first semester
ESL 2B - (Level 4) High Intermediate
- ESL 120B (3) Intermediate Grammar II - Required
- ESL 121B (6) Intermediate Reading and Writing II - Required
ELECTIVES:
- ESL 123 (2) Intermediate Oral Communication
- ESL 126 (2) Pronunciation of English
- ARTS 2A (3) Introduction to Drawing
- CIS 8 (2) Essential Computing Skills
- CIS 50 (3) Introduction to Computing and Informational Technology
- CIS 71 (1) Computer Typing
- ECD 50 (3) Early Childhood Development Principles and Practices
- GDDM 48 (0.3) Introduction to Design Studio
- GDDM 50 (2) Visual Communications/Process of Design
- GDDM 51 (3) Color Theory of Design
- GDDM 52 (3) Introduction to Typography
- HLTH 1 (3) Introduction to Health
- HUMN 44 (3) Narrative Film Music
- INTD 50 (3) Residential Space Planning
- KIN classes
- LIB 5 (0.5) Introduction to General Research Database
- LIB 7 (0.5) Introduction to Internet Research
- LIB 8 (2) Introduction to Library Research
- MATH classes
- MUS 4 (3) Jazz in American Culture
- MUS 5 (3) American Cultures in Music
- MUS 6 (2) Basic Music Skills
- MUS 16 (1) College Orchestra
- MUS 20 (1) Elementary Guitar
- MUS 21A (1) Beginning Piano
- MUS 21B (1) Beginning Piano: Intermediate
- PHTO 50 (3) Introduction to Photography
- PHTO 58 (2) Introduction to Videography
- PCN 10 (2) Career and Educational Planning
- PCN 13 (3) Multicultural Issues in America
- PCN 15 (2) College Study Skills
- PCN 30 (3) Student Success and the College Experience
- PCN 28 (1) Orientation for International Students *required during first semester
Las Positas College has a comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. It includes six levels of instruction: two semesters of beginning, two semesters of intermediate and two semesters of advanced courses. The program focuses on academic language skills: reading, writing, grammar, and listening and speaking. To complement the instructional program, the College provides assessment, counseling, orientation and special support services, such as tutoring for all ESL and International students.
Lower Beginning - Level 1A
- Beginning Grammar 130 A - 3 units
- Beginning Writing/ Reading 131 A - 6 units
- Beginning Oral Communication (elective) 133 - 2 units
Upper Beginning - Level 1B
- Beginning Grammar 130 B - 3 units
- Beginning Writing/ Reading 131 B - 6 units
- Beginning Oral Communication (elective) 133 - 2 units
Lower Intermediate - Level 2A
- Intermediate Grammar 120 A - 3 units
- Intermediate Writing/ Reading 121 A - 6 units
- Intermediate Oral Communication (elective) 123 - 2 units
- Pronunciation of English (elective) 126 - 2 units
Upper Intermediate - Level 2B
- Intermediate Grammar 120 B - 3 units
- Intermediate Writing/ Reading 121 B - 6 units
- Intermediate Oral Communication (elective) 123 - 2 units
- Pronunciation of English (elective) 126 - 2 units
Lower Advanced - Level 3A
- Advanced Reading/ Composition 24 - 6 units
- College Grammar 23 (elective) - 3 units
Upper Advanced - Level 3B
- Advanced Reading/ Writing 25 - 6 units
- Advanced Editing 26 (elective) - 3 units
For more information on the ESL program at Las Positas College go to the ESL Program Website.
International Student
International Student Program
Building 1600, Second Floor
Room: 1658
Cindy Balero
Program Coordinator
Phone, email and appointments
925.424.1548
925.424.1877 (fax)
lpcglobal@laspositascollege.edu
Student Support Hours
Drop In Hours
Monday - Thursday:
- 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Appointments available
Monday - Thursday:
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Closed or services not available on the following days or times:
- September 2 -6, 2024