Saddleback Adult Education now offers Adult English as a Second Language students the opportunity to earn four state-approved Certificates of Competency. For each certificate, students have to complete two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each.

Students are placed within the sequence of AESL foundation courses according to their English abilities and progress through this sequence. Courses may be offered mornings and/or evenings during fall, spring and summer. There are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

AESL 701 & 702

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Beginning Level Certificate of Competency is designed for students to demonstrate emerging literacy skills in English. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that students can communicate in everyday situations. Emphasis will focus on comprehending simple conversation, communicating survival needs, reading phrases and simple sentences, and performing communicative written tasks.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

  • Basic Literacy (AESL 701NC)
  • Beginning Low (AESL 702NC)

 

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn this AESL Certificate of Competency are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (AESL 708), and may be prepared to enter the workplace.

AESL 703 & 704

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Certificate of Competency- Intermediate Level is designed for students to demonstrate intermediate English skills. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that students can communicate in everyday situations. Emphasis will be on creative oral language, initial critical thinking skills in reading comprehension and performing communicative written tasks as well as beginning academic writing. 

To enroll in these courses, students demonstrate the competencies from the AESL­ Beginning certificate, or have taken beginning ­level courses; however, there are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

  • Beginning High (AESL 703NC)
  • Intermediate Low (AESL 704NC)

 

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn this AESL Certificate of Competency are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (AESL 708), and may be prepared to enter the Saddleback College ESL Program or CTE job preparation program.

AESL 705 & 706

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Certificate of Competency Advanced Level is designed for students to demonstrate low-advanced English skills. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and study skills, so that students can continue to communicate effectively in everyday situations and develop the language necessary to work toward career, personal and education goals (including preparation for credit courses). 

To enroll in these courses, students demonstrate the competencies from the AESL­ Intermediate certificate, or have taken Intermediate ­level courses; however, there are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

  • Intermediate High (AESL 705NC )
  • Advanced Low (AESL 706NC)

 

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn the AESL Certificate of Competency - Advanced are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (708), and may be prepared to enter the Saddleback College ESL Program or CTE job-preparation program.

AESL 730 & 740

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Vocabulary Development sequence of courses will constitute a Career Development and College Preparation Noncredit certificate program. This program is designed for high beginning, intermediate and advanced ESL learners. Students will review and use vocabulary words, common idioms and phrases related to life skills, vocational and academic topics. Students will work on mastering 350-450 new vocabulary items through a variety of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Additionally, students will acquire learning strategies and technology skills to support lifelong English development. AESL 730 is a prerequisite for AESL 740.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each.

  • Adult Education ESL Vocabulary Development I (AESL 730NC)
  • Adult Education ESL Vocabulary Development II (AESL 740NC)

 

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.