ESL - English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language

MCAS offers all levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes during the day and at night to help students become proficient in English. MCAS includes English Learner (EL) Civics units in all ESL classes to assist students so they can better navigate a variety of governmental, educational, and workplace systems. MCAS provides a Citizenship program, to help students pass the Citizenship test and become a U.S. citizen and a Conversation program to improve everyday speaking skills. The MCAS Vocational ESL program gives English Learners the chance to learn English while acquiring knowledge and skills that will prepare them for MCAS Career Technical classes.

Following are the dates for each term / semester:

Day Classes

Spring Term 2:   January 8, 2024 to May 23, 2024

Evening Classes

Spring Term 2:   January 9, 2024 to May 23, 2024

Total Program Fee:   FREE

EL Civics

English Learner Civics is an important component of the MCAS ESL Program. We want our ESL students to understand why ESL Civics is included in our classes and why they should learn Civics content and do well on the Civics tests. The U.S. government believes that immigrants and other limited English proficient persons must not only master English, but be able to understand and navigate governmental, educational, workplace systems and key institutions, such as banking and health care in order to effectively participate in education, work, and civic opportunities in this country.

ESL Levels

In the Appendix of the ESL Student Handbook and on the school website, you will find the Citrus College Adult Education Consortium (CCAEC) Language Proficiency Objectives (LPOs). The CCAEC LPOs are the minimum course objectives our consortium faculty believes a student needs to complete in order to advance from one ESL Level to the next. These LPOs have been created across six skill areas: reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar.

These Proficiency Objectives are very detailed and are the best way for students to understand what they need to learn at each level in order to advance to the next ESL level.

ESL Courses Offered

Below are general descriptions of the ESL courses offered at MCAS:


ESL 1 - Beginning Literacy

ESL 1 is a non-credit, open enrollment course to help students learn very basic English vocabulary, reading, and writing skills. Students who demonstrate proficiency in ESL can read, write and say the letters of the alphabet; can write their name, address and date; and can ask simple questions, and speak statements of basic needs. Instruction includes individual, pair, and group work. Conversations help students become able to ask and answer questions about many aspects of functional everyday life.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

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ESL 2 - Beginning Low

ESL 2 is a non-credit, open enrollment course designed for students who possess some low level basic skills in English. Students in ESL 2 improve vocabulary and learn to read and interpret simple sentences, instructions, forms, directions, signs, maps, and menus. Students who demonstrate proficiency in ESL 2 learning objectives can read common transportation and workplace signs, make sense of simple notes and messages, interpret simple forms, locate familiar information in simple lists, discuss simple sentences and communicate simply with various members of societal systems.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

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ESL 3 - Beginning High

ESL 3 is a non-credit, open enrollment course designed for students who already have low beginning reading and writing English skills. Students develop high beginning reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in their roles as family and community members, workers, and citizens. Students learn to read and interpret basic written instructions, simple charts, schedules, graphs, diagrams, and a basic payroll stub, perform basic calculations, fill out basic forms, write simple notes and satisfy basic survival needs and routine social demands. Extensive development of conversational skills comes through pair and group work.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Come in to enroll  

ESL 4 - Intermediate Low

ESL 4 is a non-credit, open enrollment course designed for students who already have high beginning reading and writing English skills. Students build vocabulary and improve reading, writing, and computational tasks related to life roles. Students continue to build grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills and practice high levels of practical conversation in pairs and small groups. Students learn to follow complex oral directions, learn new phrases with familiar vocabulary, know basic computer app terms, fill out basic medical information forms and job applications, and begin to write paragraphs.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Come in to enroll  

ESL 5 - Intermediate High

ESL 5 is a non-credit, open enrollment course, which is designed for students who already have low intermediate reading and writing English skills. Students in ESL 5 learn to communicate comfortably in English, build confidence in speaking and listening skills, and enhance their ability to read and write. Students can function independently in most familiar personal and work situations, show better control of grammar, and can read and interpret authentic health and job materials. Students begin to show some creativity in order to produce language. The instructor also provides help with more complex accent reduction and pronunciation.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Nights: Tue and Thu
Times: 6:00pm-9:30pm

Come in to enroll  

ESL 6 - Advanced

ESL 6 is a non-credit, open enrollment course, which is designed for students who already have high intermediate reading and writing English skills. Students in ESL 6 integrate language functions and language forms with informational sources, necessary skills, and real world topics. Students can function independently in familiar personal and work situations, show very good control of grammar, and can read and interpret most authentic forms and materials they encounter in the world. Students often use creativity to produce language. Students address topics in ESL 6 that coincide with their learning goals: general, vocational, or academic.

Days: Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu
Times: 8:15am - 11:45am

Commencement Ceremony

Students who successfully master the learning objectives of MCAS ESL Level 6 will be invited to participate in the MCAS Commencement. Taking part in this ceremony is a great honor! Students will take part with high school students who have earned a diploma and medical students who have received their certification and medical pin. We hope that many students work hard to achieve this honor!

Certificate awarded for program completion

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Vocational ESL

Vocational ESL is designed for ESL students who wish to accelerate English learning in the context of earning employment. The Vocational ESL course is a hybrid class: a combination of online and direct instruction. While learning English, students also learn soft job skills and introductory knowledge about one of the vocations for which MCAS provides career technical training. Students learn how to make a resume, interview skills, life skills, job search skills, and career-specific knowledge while learning and improving English.

Certificate awarded for level completion

Days: Mon and Wed
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

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Citizenship

This course prepares students for the citizenship interview and written/oral exams. Topics include U.S. history, U.S. government, written dictation practice, interview questions, and filling out the N-400 application form. MCAS suggests that Citizenship students are able to speak, read and write English at an intermediate level or above.

Certificate awarded for program completion

Days: Mon and Wed
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Come in to enroll  

ESL Conversation

In the English Conversation class, students will build confidence in speaking about everyday topics, current news issues, and other subjects of interest to the class. Students will have the opportunity to improve their fluency through individualized pronunciation practice. For ESL Levels 3 - 6.

Days: Tue and Thu
Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Come in to enroll  

For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.



Career Technical Education Programs


Learn new career skills and start a new career!

Monrovia Community Adult School offers numerous short-term vocational programs that help your earn certifications and give you the skills you need to start a new career. MCAS teachers are experienced professionals who share their industry knowledge to give you a solid foundation for success in a new profession. These teachers also have significant industry contacts and resources to ensure that students who successfully complete our vocational programs have a high rate of job attainment.


Academics & Arts Programs


In addition to our world class vocational programs, MCAS offers excellent Non-Technical Programs. Our English as a Second Language faculty is passionate, caring and committed to helping our students become proficient in English as quickly as possible. The MCAS Academic Lab offers a rigorous high school diploma program that prepares students for postsecondary education. Students seeking assistance with basic skills or test prep for the GED or HiSET can receive assistance from highly qualified instructors. And MCAS arts and crafts classes are taught by talented, successful artists.
Enroll today! Click below!

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