Moraine Valley provides quality English language instruction for students whose native language is not English. We want to help prepare you for further academic study, employment, professional advancement, and personal enrichment. Depending on your needs, you can choose from the English as a Second Language (ESL) program or the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
Assistance is offered to English language learners interested in enrolling in academic English classes who graduated from a foreign high school, college or university where instruction was primarily given in a language other than English and/or were previously enrolled in an American high school bilingual/ESL program and are a community resident.
English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language (ESL) is offered for adult residents whose native language is not English and wish to develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The college has classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced level students. ESL classes are offered free of charge.
While the Intensive English programs focus on language development, ESL programs oftentimes take a more holistic approach and provide students with opportunities to learn English and apply it to academic, social, and cultural situations. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are integrated into a communicative approach curriculum, providing students the opportunity to practice and improve their English language proficiency throughout the six levels.
The ESL department endeavors to assist students with the following level competencies:
Beginning: function in a very limited way in situations related to immediate needs; understand frequently used words in context and very simple phrases spoken slowly and with some repetition; communicate with great difficulty.
Intermediate: satisfy basic survival needs; participate in a conversation in limited social situations; communicate with some hesitation, relying on description and concrete terms.
Advanced: understand and communicate in a variety of contexts related to daily life and work; show control of basic grammar; develop and utilize more complex structure.
Parents as Educational Partners: Moraine Valley partners with elementary and middle schools to provide English language instruction to ESL parents. The curriculum is based on school materials that parents need for their children’s success.
Placement Testing and Registration
ESL is offered for adult residents whose native language is not English. The college has classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced level students. There is no tuition for ESL classes.
It is essential that all ESL students attending class at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills, IL, take part in placement testing and registration. You must have a ticket in order to attend placement testing.
Please call our office at (708) 974-5340 for ticket and registration information.
Students who test out of ESL on the placement assessment have the option of enrolling in Adult Basic Education classes or the Intensive English Language program.
Intensive English Language
Moraine Valley’s Intensive English Program allows students to engage in a rigorous, intentional, and often times short-term study of the English language. Curriculums vary from basic to advanced and often times focus on a particular track such as travel, academic, social, technical, or otherwise specialized English. Similar to ESL programs, Intensive English Language focuses primarily on providing instruction in English vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and usage, but, unlike ESL programs, place less of an emphasis on the social and cultural underpinnings of the society in which the English is spoken.
Our Intensive English Language program is a special academic program designed to serve both international students on F-1 visas and resident students whose native language is not English and who are interested in improving their English skills in order to enroll in academic college classes.
Students need basic English language skills to help them in the classroom and to understand the materials.
While in the program, students can expect classes that meet five days a week with one to four hours of instruction each day. You receive personal attention that helps develop your skills and allows you to practice. Classes are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters beginning in August, January, and June. Students should prepare for enrollment by visiting the English Language Learner Center at least three weeks before the start of each new semester.
The English Language Learner Center assists resident foreign-educated students who were primarily educated in a language other than English to determine if academic English instruction is required before they enroll in academic college classes.
The English Language Learner Center also assists American high school graduates who were enrolled in ESL programs. Some of these students need to continue in academic English instruction upon entering college. Both foreign graduates and American high school ESL graduates are candidates for the program. They are referred to as English language learners or ELLs.
Potential students should possess basic academic English language processing skills that allow for sufficient classroom communication and an understanding of materials. Separate testing (ESL) is required for entry into the program. Tuition is charged for the program and is subject to change. The Intensive English Language program assists students with the following level competencies:
Beginning: function in a very limited way in situations related to immediate needs; understand frequently used words in context and very simple phrases spoken slowly and with some repetition; communicate with great difficulty.
Intermediate: satisfy basic survival needs; participate in a conversation in limited social situations; communicate with some hesitation, relying on description and concrete terms.
Advanced: understand and communicate in a variety of contexts related to daily life and work; show control of basic grammar; develop and utilize more complex structure.
Prospective students should seek advising services from the English Language Learner Center. They are located in Building S, Room S216, or can be reached by telephone at (708) 974-5475.
Permanent residents and citizens enrolling in the IELP may apply for federal financial aid.
English as a Second Language Computer Class
Basic computer skills including keyboard, mouse, email are taught to English as a Second Language learners.
Get Started
Complete this form to learn more about the free English programs available at Moraine Valley.
