English as a Second Language
Registration for Spring & Summer 2022
ESL In-Person and Online Courses Opens on Monday, March 14!
International students can travel to New York and begin studying as early as May! See “Immigration Form I-20” below.
Spring & Summer 2022 include a selection of in-person and online courses.
Spring 2022 Course Schedule Summer 2022 Course ScheduleTo Register please call: 914-606-6656. You can also start your registration using the pre-registration form:
We will call you after we receive the form to help you complete your registration and answer your questions. You can pay by phone by credit/debit card (Mastercard/Visa/Discover).
ELI/ESL Covid Information
To attend in-person classes, students must provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination or have received an approved exemption BEFORE the start of class.
About Us
Westchester Community College serves over 5,000 English as a Second Language students annually, more than any other educational institution in Westchester county. Eight levels of ESL instruction are offered in our English Language Institute. Each level provides balanced instruction and active practice in all English language skills: listening, speaking (including pronunciation), standard grammar, reading, and writing. New students take an examination to determine the level at which they begin study. An English-only environment for all activities maximizes practice and learning. These courses serve the needs of the general learner and learners preparing for college/university study. Our instructors are professionals in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). English courses are offered in Spring (January–April), Summer (May–August) and Fall (September–December).
| Hours of Operation: | |
| Monday - Thursday: | 9:00 am — 8:00 pm |
| Friday: | 9:00 am — 5:00 pm |
| Saturday: | 9:00 am — 4:00 pm |
| Sunday: | CLOSED |
Contact Information
For further information, please call 914-606-6656 or visit us in Room 243 of the Gateway Center.
English Language Institute
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Rd.
Gateway Center, Room 243
Valhalla NY 10595-1698 USA
English Language Institute Staff
Claudia Carco
Interim Assistant Dean
Claudia.Carco@sunywcc.edu
914-606-6651
Robert Nechols
Director
Robert.Nechols@sunywcc.edu
914-606-6198
Katherine Graf
ESL Program Coordinator
Katherine.Graf@sunywcc.edu
914-606-6163
Lesley Painter
Acting TESOL Program Coordinator
Lesley.Painter@sunywcc.edu
914-606-7743
Justin Smith
ESL Program Coordinator
Justin.Smith@sunywcc.edu
914-606-7744
Amy Tobin
ESL Program Coordinator
Amy.Tobin@sunywcc.edu
914-606-6607
Maria Gama
Administrative Assistant
MariaElena.Gama@sunywcc.edu
914-606-8503
Ines Abeijon
Office Assistant
Ines.Abeijon@sunywcc.edu
914-606-7889
Intensive English Program
Intensive English Program
5 days, Mon-Fri. This 15-hour per week course allows motivated learners of English to advance rapidly, starting at any level from beginner to advanced. The Intensive English Program meets the needs of serious learners, such as preparation for university study or to increase career possibilities. All students take three classes: Intensive Grammar & Reading 2 days per week (M/Th), Intensive Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation 2 days per week (T/F), and Intensive Writing 1 day per week (W). Accent on Fluency, open to all IEP students, supplements the Intensive English Program with an additional 5 hours per week of instruction and practice in one or more particular skill or content areas. Students who have F-1 visa/ status (have an I-20 form) meet the full-time study requirement by also enrolling in Accent on Fluency.
STUDY 5 MORNINGS per WEEK: 9:00 am-12:00 pm In-Person
English as a Second Language Programs
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, In-Person
6 hours per week:
Eight levels (0 to 7): A multi-level 75 hour program in English as a Second Language providing balanced instruction in all language skills.
Accelerated Immersion ESL, In-Person
12 hours per week:
Eight levels (0 to 7): A multi-level 75 hour program in English as a Second Language providing balanced instruction in all language skills.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, REMOTE
9 or 15 hours per week:
Eight levels (0 to 7): A multi-level 75 hour program in English as a Second Language providing balanced instruction in all language skills.
Specialized ESL Courses
Accent on Fluency
The substantial additional speaking and listening practice of this course supplements the Intensive English program (or another ELI English course) and helps accelerate progress towards language learning goals through immersion in English. Also provides additional pronunciation activities to enable learners to improve the clarity of their communication.
Business English for Internationals
A contextualized, advanced level, ESL pathway course providing learners with the opportunity to develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in preparation for study in academic business programs. Participants build fluency and knowledge through participation in activities related to business communication.
Prerequisite: ELI Level 6 proficiency
English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP)
Prepares students for matriculated college study through a contextualized academic curriculum that integrates English language skills with academic content. English for Academic Purposes offers an introduction to academic literacy with a focus on building academic vocabulary and reading/writing skills applied to academic tasks. The course also develops independent study skills, test preparation, and communication skills needed for college readiness.
Prerequisite: ELI Level 6 proficiency.
Pronunciation: The Sound System of English
Students will learn the difference between similar English sounds and become better at articulating them. Participants will also identify problematic areas in their speech related to the production of vowels and consonants.
Prerequisite: ELI Level 4+ spoken proficiency
TESOL Certificate Program
This intensive, 12-week, non-credit program prepares you to teach ESL to adults, in-person or remote, in the U.S. or abroad. Practical classroom instruction integrated with observation and discussion of ELI classes allows for development of knowledge and teaching skills, which you apply and hone by practice teaching through the ELI’s ESL classes which span a broad range of proficiency levels. Details at www.sunywcc.edu/TESOL. *Immigration Form I-20 is available for TESOL students.
Prerequisite: B.A Degree, No teaching experience required
TOEFL Preparation Workshop
This course is designed to help learners improve their English language skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in preparation for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). This is achieved through TOEFL practice tests and focused instruction and practice in academic reading and listen- ing comprehension, grammatical accuracy, and clarity in speech and writing. Additionally, students develop valuable test-taking and critical thinking skills necessary for successful performance in regular college credit programs.
Prerequisite: ELI Level 6 proficiency.
Q: How do I register for ESL classes?
If you are ready to register for a course, you may use the Pre-Registration Form. After we receive it, we will call to help you select your course and to assist you with completing the registration and making payment. If you prefer, you can call 914-606-6656 to register.
Q: Do I need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend classes?
For in-person classes, you must have proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination, a medical exemption, or a religious exemption. For online classes, no proof is required.
Q: Do I need to purchase books?
Books are necessary for most courses and cost from about $55 (non-intensive) to about $170 (intensive). eBooks cost about $25-$35. Your teacher will assist you with book buying.
Q: How many levels of ESL instruction are offered?
Eight levels (0 – 7) of ESL instruction are offered.
Q: How do you determine my level?
Testing is required if you are new to our program or did not take the ESL final test during the past two semesters. Registration is required to take the placement test. The placement test is given online using Zoom at the first session of all programs with levels. Testing information is provided when you register.
Q: Do you offer specialized courses?
In addition to general multi-level ESL classes, the ELI offers a variety of specialized courses offering instruction in one or more skill areas. All specialized courses are designed for specific proficiency levels. New students must obtain administrative approval, which may require a test or short interview, to register for any specialized course.
Q: Which specialized courses do you offer?
We offer Accent on Fluency, Business English for Internationals, English for Academic Purposes, Pronunciation, and TOEFL Preparation Workshop.
Q: Can I study if I live outside of Westchester County?
Residents have been in New York for one year or more. Students who are not residents of Westchester County are welcome but pay a 166% non-resident surcharge in addition to the regular tuition. For non-Westchester County residents to qualify for the resident rates, an Application for Certificate of Residency form must be completed, notarized, authorized by your New York State county of residence, and then submitted to the English Language Institute. Call 914-606-6656 for information. (Note: These courses do not pay the non-resident surcharge: 3000, 1210, 1420, 1524.)
Q: I would like to begin a college program or get a certificate. Where do I begin?
If you have completed or are now completing ELI level 5 (or have an equivalent level of English proficiency) and are considering enrolling in a college/university program, call the ELI at 914-606-7889 to make an appointment with a TESOL specialist to discuss your future studies. We will help you answer the question: Am I ready for college? We will evaluate your English language ability and, if appropriate, provide a referral necessary for entrance to Westchester Community College.
Q: How can I become an F-1 International Student?
Immigration form I-20 is available to ESL students who would like to study full-time in the Intensive English Program or the TESOL Certificate Program. Please contact Justin Smith at Justin.Smith@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-7744, and he will assist you with important F-1 information and application.
Testimonials
“I always enjoy the class with my teachers and classmates. The teachers are enthusiastic, patient, and knowledgeable.”
“This is a wonderful experience in my life. In my humble opinion, this college has the best program to learn English.”
“I want to thank [my teacher] for his/her devotion to teach, not only English, but also important lessons about life and how to handle our new experience in the United States.”
If you would like to come to the United States on an F-1 (student) visa, you may apply for immigration form I-20 through the English Language Institute. F-1 students study full-time (18 hours per week) in the Intensive English Program of the English Language Institute. The Intensive English Program is appropriate both for students who are interested in preparing for college study and for those who want to improve their English for personal or professional reasons.
There are two situations under which you may apply to be an F-1 international student:
- If you wish to apply at US Consulate in your country and enter the United States with an F-1 student visa, download the ESL 1-20 application packet in PDF format
- If you are already in the United States and would like to change your immigration status to F-1 without returning to your home country, please call us at (914) 606-6656 to discuss your situation before completing this application. (Note: Not all students are eligible to change their status).
For more information, or to request that an application be mailed to you, please call (914)606-6656.
How To Register for an ESL Course
Register before the courses start because they may be full and closed.
After taking your information and answering your questions, our ELI staff will assist you with making a payment for your course. Mastercard, Visa, and Discover cards are accepted, credit or debit. Cash registration is not possible. Proof of COVID-19 Immunization is required unless you have a medical or religious exemption.
Registration
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- ELI Main Number: 914-606-6656
- Call/Text: 914-216-7380
- Call/Text: 845-440-5297
- Visit the ELI in GTW-243 during Hours of Operation
Placement Testing
Testing required if you are new or did not take final exam in the preceding semester. Placement test is given at 1st session of Saturday ESL, Evening ESL and Intensive ESL. You must already be registered for a class to take test. Testing information is provided at time of registration.
Pre-Registration
You can also start your registration using the pre-registration form. We will call you after we receive the form to help you complete your registration and answer your questions. You can pay by phone by credit/debit card (Mastercard/Visa/Discover).
NY / Westchester County Residency
All ESL tuition rates stated are resident rates. Residents have lived in NY State at least 1 year. If you have been in NY for the past 12 months, but live, or lived outside of Westchester County, call 914-606-6656. Non-residents are welcome, but pay tuition plus a non-resident surcharge of 166%.
USA Citizenship Classes
The college offers regularly scheduled U.S. Citizenship Exam Preparation classes in the Welcome Center located on the 1st floor of the Gateway Center. For course availability and schedules, call Eileen McKee, Welcome Center Director, at 914-606-5626.
Contact Information
For further information, contact 914-606-6656 or come to the English Language Institute in Room 243 of the Gateway Center.
English Language Institute
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Rd.
Gateway Center, Room 243
Valhalla NY 10595-1698 USA