Overview of Our Program

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at New Jersey City University has been teaching students whose native language is not English the language skills they need to graduate from the university for over 25 years. The population we serve is as diverse as the surrounding community. Languages spoken by our students include Spanish, Arabic, Gujarati, Polish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, and Chinese. An average of 400 students enroll in our courses every semester.

Testing and Placement Procedures for Credit Students

Students admitted to New Jersey City University whose first language is not English must contact the ESL Testing Administrator, Dr. Marian Leonor for testing and placement into the ESL Program. (This applies to freshmen as well as students who transfer to New Jersey City University without English 101 and 102 credits from another accredited institution).

Students are administered a three-part placement test: a standardized grammar test, a written composition, and an oral interview. Based on the exam results, students are placed into one of many ESL courses offered by the ESL Program.

For questions related to testing times and location, or any general information questions regarding the ESL Program, please contact Dr. Marian Leonor at (201) 200-2174 or mleonor@njcu.edu.

Course Offerings

Based on the results of the ESL Program placement test, students are placed into one of our many courses ranging from beginning to advanced. Each course is designed to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as general academic preparation and career development. Most ESL courses meet 6 hours a week for a 15-week semester. The Program offers day, evening, and Saturday courses. The specific ESL courses are:

 

Elementary ESL Level One
Basic ESL Level Two
Intermediate Expository Writing: ESL Level Three
English Composition-1: ESL Level Four
Advanced Expository Writing: ESL Level Five
English Composition-2: ESL Level Six
Intermediate Spoken English
Computer as a Tool-ESL

Click here to view a complete description of our course offerings

 

Registration for Non-credit Students

Our courses are also available for non-credit (for those students who have not been admitted to the University). Any student interested in taking ESL courses for non-credit should contact Dr. Marian Leonor at (201) 200-2174 or mleonor@njcu.edu for registration and placement procedures. The cost of a non-credit ESL course is $300.