ESL Overview
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English as a Second Language Program Overview
To be placed into the ESL program, students must take the CAMLA test through our campus Testing Center. Placement is based on CAMLA cut scores, though for students who attended U.S. high schools, other factors may be considered. Once enrolled, they must progress step by step through the pathway—students cannot skip levels.
Current students cannot take the CAMLA to skip levels; they must follow the ESL Program path.
ESL classes focus on Reading, Grammar, Writing, and Vocabulary, giving students a strong foundation to succeed in higher education.
There are four main levels in the program:
- First Level
- ESL 31 Reading and Vocabulary
- ESL 41 Writing and Grammar
- Beginning Level
- ESL51 Introduction to College Reading
- ESL71 Foundations of College Writing I
- ESL81 College Grammar I
- Low-Intermediate Level
- ESL52 Improved College Reading
- ESL72 Foundations of College Writing II
- ESL82 College Grammar II
- High-Intermediate Level
- ESL53 Reading
- ESL63 College Writing III
- College Level
- ENG 101 College English I and ENG 100
Note: Program level is determined by CAMLA test score. Review ESL Placement Levels for more information on course placement.
Preparing For The Test
On the day of the test, you must show a physical, valid government issued photo ID to be admitted. The exam has two parts, a computer portion and an essay portion. You can prepare using online practice tests.
Computer Portion
You will begin with the computer portion; it is 80 total questions.
The first page is your instructions for the exam. The first 10 of the 80 questions are listening questions and move quickly. These questions are timed and you will have 15 seconds to listen to the prompt and answer what you hear. If you do not answer in those 15 seconds, it will automatically move on to the next question. You will not hear anything until you hit the arrow in the bottom right corner. If you do not hear anything once you hit the arrow to move to question 1, you should raise your hand for assistance and should not proceed with the exam.
Once you finish all 80 questions, you will hit "End Test" in the top right corner and move on to the essay portion.
Essay Portion
You will choose only one of the 3 essay options and write an essay in English. The essay can be as long or short as you like. Once you are finished, you will return your essay sheet to room 377 to receive your test score.
Scoring
You must receive a minimum score of 21 to begin ESL courses, if you are on a F1 Visa you must receive a minimum score of 50. If you scored below a 21 you can retake the exam for a $10 fee. The fee is put on your student account; you will not need to make a payment the day you retest.
Throughout the entire program, from Level 1 to the highest level, students will progress from basic to advanced grammar. Reading activities will move from simple texts to more complex academic vocabulary, while writing skills will develop from simple sentences to well-structured three to five-paragraph essays. By the end of the program, students are expected to reach a B1-B2 level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Each level of the program lasts one semester. We offer all ESL levels during the Fall (August to December) and Spring (January to May) semesters.
Each semester lasts 16 weeks.
Students can choose their schedules for morning or evening classes. (Morning classes usually go from 9:10 am to 1:40 pm and evening classes from 4:15 pm to 8:45 pm). Each class is 1 hour and 15 minutes two times a week.
Most students take two or three classes of their level on the same two days each week—either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, some students must choose four days depending on availability and personal circumstances.
During the Summer semester (8 weeks), we offer only the High-Intermediate Level, and enrollment is limited to students who earned an A or B in the prerequisite courses.
While students are allowed to take Math starting at the Intermediate Level, most choose
to wait until their English skills are stronger.
After completing the High-Intermediate Level, students are allowed to take ENG 101+100
and other college-level courses, not before. However, we have a few friendly ESL classes
that can be taken alongside High Intermediate courses.
- In-person courses will meet on campus during the listed times. First and beginning levels are mostly in person.
- Hybrid courses meet on campus once per week during the listed time. 50% of the course is in person and 50% of the course work will be completed outside of the class meeting at the students' own pace.
- Online (WWW) classes will never meet on campus. Hybrid and online classes are offered mostly for
low and high intermediate levels.
- Only students with an A or B in previous courses and/or high scores on the CAMLA are eligible for online or hybrid classes.
- Students will be required to complete an Online Course Module before the class starts.
Class enrollment for the Spring semester starts on October 1st for current students and around October 15th for new or returning students. For the Summer and Fall semesters, it starts on March 1st for current students and around March 15th at the ESL office for new or returning students.
Students register for classes in person at the ESL Office (Office hours vary by semester and time of year). New students must complete four steps before they can register for classes at the ESL Office. We will review the test scores and place students in the ESL level according to that test.
Admissions Process
Our online application is free, and it only takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Already applied? Skip to the next step!
To get started, you'll need:
- An email address that we can use to contact you.
- Name and address of the high school you have attended.
- Name and address of any colleges you have attended.
Students must submit official high school transcripts with graduation date listed. For more information on how to submit transcripts, check out our First-Time Freshman page.
Permanent residents, refugees, parolees, asylees, and Cuban-Haitian entrants (who have applied for residency after the one year requirement) are eligible to apply for federal financial aid.
Jefferson School Code: 006961
Don't forget to apply for scholarships!
Resources
Jefferson Financial Aid Office, Jefferson Education Center, Room 400
(855) 246-5282
You will need to take our free Michigan-EPT (CAMLA) to determine the best place to start! The test will include writing, reading, grammar and listening. You can find information on schedules and required documents on our Testing Center page. Take a look at the "CAMLA Test Information" section above for more information.
Set up your KCTCS User Account.
To get started, you'll need:
- Your student ID number (sent in your initial application confirmation email)
- A phone number or email address you can receive messages on for your security code
To get started, visit the User Account Center.
- Choose Setup Your User Account/Profile.
- Enter your birth month and day.
- Enter your KCTCS Student ID, you will have received this in your admissions email. Once this is entered, click Next.
- Verify your identity by having a code sent to your personal email or cell phone.
- Once you’ve verified your identity, choose and answer three security questions.
- Finally, you’ll receive your user name and create your password!
Note: Your user name will be the first letter of your first name, your last name and a series of four numbers. For example: bsmith0012.
Once your account is set up, you’re ready to log in!
Go to MyPath. This link is also in the top left corner of our website.
Use your new username and password to log in.
If you have any questions or need help, please visit our 24/7 Student Service Center
or call (855) 246-5282.
Once you’ve activated your User Account, you will need to complete your Student Financial Agreement in your student self-service portal under "Tasks".
Check out our help guide for step-by-step instructions!
This task MUST be completed before you may meet with an advisor and enroll in courses.
Students will meet with an ESL advisor to select their classes for the upcoming semester.
Find ways to afford college.
- Be sure to check the current tuition rates. Tuition may change from year to year.
- Learn how to set up a payment plan for your classes.
- For any questions about tuition or payment, you can contact the Bursar's Office.
Our online application is free, and it only takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Already applied? Skip to the next step!
To get started, you'll need:
- An email address that we can use to contact you.
- Name and address of the high school you have attended.
- Name and address of any colleges you have attended.
Permanent residents, refugees, parolees, asylees, and Cuban-Haitian entrants (who have applied for residency after the one year requirement) are eligible to apply for federal financial aid.
Jefferson School Code: 006961
Don't forget to apply for scholarships!
Resources
Jefferson Financial Aid Office
Jefferson Education Center, Room 400
(855) 246-5282
All new students take this test before registering for classes. The test will include writing, reading, grammar and listening. You can find information on schedules and required documents on our Testing Center page. You will need to take our free Michigan-EPT (CAMLA) to determine the best place to start!
Set up your KCTCS User Account.
To get started, you'll need:
- Your student ID number (sent in your initial application confirmation email)
- A phone number or email address you can receive messages on for your security code
To get started, visit the User Account Center.
- Choose Setup Your User Account/Profile.
- Enter your birth month and day.
- Enter your KCTCS Student ID, you will have received this in your admissions email. Once this is entered, click Next.
- Verify your identity by having a code sent to your personal email or cell phone.
- Once you’ve verified your identity, choose and answer three security questions.
- Finally, you’ll receive your user name and create your password!
Note: Your user name will be the first letter of your first name, your last name and a series of four numbers. For example: bsmith0012.
Once your account is set up, you’re ready to log in!
Go to MyPath. This link is also in the top left corner of our website.
Use your new username and password to log in.
If you have any questions or need help, please visit our 24/7 Student Service Center or call (855) 246-5282.
Once you’ve activated your User Account, you will need to complete your Student Financial Agreement in your student self-service portal under "Tasks".
Check out our help guide for step-by-step instructions!
This task MUST be completed before you may meet with an advisor and enroll in courses.
Students will meet with an ESL advisor to select their classes for the upcoming semester.
Find ways to afford college.
- Be sure to check the current tuition rates. Tuition may change from year to year.
- Learn how to set up a payment plan for your classes.
- For any questions about tuition or payment, you can contact the Bursar's Office.
Questions about Kentucky residency should be directed to the International Admissions Office at the Jefferson Education Center, Room 216, or (502) 213-2496.
Students seeking an F-1 international student visa should visit the F-1 Student Admissions page. Please note that Jefferson Community & Technical College requires English proficiency in order to issue an I-20 for the F-1 Visa.
Contact Information
Questions about the process? Visit ESL Contacts for the best ways to connect with ESL faculty and staff!
