We have an exciting program. Our classes are based on an
innovative curriculum and the instructors use a variety of
current methods and techniques. The faculty are all highly-trained
with Master's degrees in the field of TESOL, enthusiasm, dedication
to improving the program even more and most importantly, friendly
smiles. We are a serious academic ESL program with a fresh,
fun approach.
We are growing quickly and attracting international students from many countries around the world partly because of our prime location in the heart of the California Gold Country and close to many famous places such as San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley.
We also have hundreds of resident ESL students from areas of the former Soviet Union, Central and South America, the Middle East and many other areas. Class size is limited to 15 to 25 students so there is plenty of opportunity for student participation and contact with the instructors.
Our facilities include classrooms equipped
with TVs, VCRs and overhead projectors as well as 1 smart classroom with an instructor computer and a projector and internet. We also have two state-of-the-art
ESL Computer classrooms with nineteen software programs for practicing
English language skills. There is Internet access and ESL
Internet links with hundreds of Internet activities. Additionally,
we are also very proud of the ESL Extensive Reading Collection
that has hundreds of books at a range of ability levels. Students
can borrow them from the library.
We have a 7-level ESL Program beginning at the Novice (beginner)
level and progressing up to the Advanced College level (the
equivalent of English 1A or English 101 at most universities).
At least one year of ESL adult education is recommended for
resident students entering at the novice level. There are
4 classes at most levels: Writing, Grammar,
Reading/Vocabulary and Listening/Speaking.
All Sierra College
ESL classes are credited college classes of 3 units each.
ESL 30W, 40W and 40L have degree and transfer
credit for Community Colleges, California State Universities,
The University of California (they do not meet the composition
requirements at the University of California though) and private
universities and colleges. In addition to 3 hours of classroom
instruction for each class,
there is a 50-minute laboratory class requirement for Grammar, Reading/Vocabulary and Listening/Speaking courses at all levels except 500 that is competed
in one of the ESL Lab classrooms at scheduled times.
The Writing classes blend explanation and
practice with academic and real-world writing tasks that utilize
the grammar being studied. The Grammar classes cover the rules, but also how to use the forms in speaking and writing. The Reading/Vocabulary strand emphasizes
developing reading and vocabulary skills including prereading
strategies, comprehension and reading speed development. Students
do a lot of outside reading. The Listening/Speaking courses
develop students' skills and confidence so they can communicate
and understand others in all situations from daily life to
academic lectures. Class activities include presentations,
surveys, skits, speakers and much more.
Please look at this chart of our program to get a better idea of how the classes in our program are organized.
Contact us by e-mail or call (011) 916-660-8042.
DIVISION OFFICE: W 107
FACULTY COORDINATOR: Kaye Foster
FACULTY: R. Persiani, S. Trant, M. Brock, J. Schamber
LIAISON COUNSELORS: C. Axton, P. Neal