Noncredit ELL

​​​​​​​​​​Noncredit English Language Learner (ELL) courses, formerly called ESL or English as a Second Language (ESL), consist of multi-level English instruction for anyone 18 years or older.  The courses move learners from a beginner level to a solid intermediate level of proficiency. The classes cover the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as improving pronunciation and building vocabulary. The primary goal of the course is to teach communicative competence, that is, the ability to communicate in English according to the situation, purpose, and roles of the participants. The CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System) is used to appraise the students' English reading and listening skills and to place them in the appropriate learning level.

Testing, Registration & Attendance Requirements

Testing

  • Please allow up to 2 hours for testing. 
  • You MUST bring a photo identification. 
  • Please make arrangements for childcare - children are NOT allowed.

Registration

  • Following your testing session, staff will meet with you to determine the appropriate ELL class level.
  • IF your schedule allows and IF there is space available, staff will register you for a class.

Attendance

If you register for a class, you must come to class.  If you don't come to class, you will be dropped from the class. View the attendance policy. 
 

FAQs

​Testing Locations & Dates

​Ames Hunziker Center

Fall, 2019 Testing & Registration Date:

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Classes Schedule
Fall Session 1 dates​: August 26 through October 17, 2019​. Time of class will depend upon class level determined at testing. 

Day classes are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Evening classes are:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For information contact:    
Christine Baker: 515-290-4775, clbaker12@dmacc.edu​

​1420 S. Bell Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
515-663-6700
Directions to Ames Hunziker Center

​Ankeny Campus​

Fall Testing & Registration Date:
Testing and registration will be done on the first day of class. No appointment is needed.

Class Schedule

Morning Class
August 26 - October 17
Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mixed-Level Class
Building 24, Room 207

Evening Class
August 27 - October 17
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Mixed-Level Class
Building 24, Room 203

For information contact:
John Windheuser, jbwindheuser@dmacc.edu,  515-697-7764​
OR
Rhonda Smith, rlsmith34@dmacc.edu,  515-697-7762​​​
*Office located in Building 3, Urban Campus (1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314)​

2006 S. Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50023
Directions to Ankeny Campus

​Carroll Campus​

Fall Testing & Registration Date: 

August 22, at 6 p.m.

Class Schedule
August 27 - October 17
Tuesdays/Thursdays from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

For information contact:
Joel Lundstrom, (712)792-8308, jtlundstrom@dmacc.edu  or
OR  
Christine Baker: 515-290-4775, clbaker12@dmacc.edu


​906 N. Grant Road
Carroll, IA 51401
712-792-1755
Directions to Carroll Campus

​Des Moines First Christian Church

Fall 2019 Testing & Registration Date:

By Appointment only on August 19, 2019 at 9 a.m.
You must contact Deb Sheehy at dcsheehy@dmacc.edu to make an appointment for testing.

Class Schedule
Fall Session 1 dates: August 26 through October 17, 2019.

Classes are:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Time:  9:30 a.m. -11:30 p.m.

For information contact:
 Lori Rice, lsrice@dmacc.edu, 515-287-8723​​

​2500 University Ave,
Des Moines, IA  50311
Directions to Des Moines First Christian Church

Newton Campus

Fall Testing & Registration Dates:
September 10, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.

Class Schedule
September 10 - November 28, 2019

Classes are Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

For more information please contact:

Jennie Doke-Kerns, Ph.D., jadokekerns@dmacc.edu, 641-791-1716​

600 N. 2nd Ave. W.
Newton, IA 50208
Directions to Newton Campus

Perry VanKirk Center​

Fall Testing & Registration Date:

August 21, 2019 at 6 pm

Class Schedule:
Fall Session 1 dates: August 26 through October 17, 2019.

Classes are: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings
Time:  6:00- 9:00pm

For information contact:
Lori Rice, lsrice@dmacc.edu, 515-287-8723

​1011 2nd Avenue
Perry, Iowa 50220
515-428-8100
Directions to Perry VanKirk Center

​Southridge Center

Fall Testing & Registration Date:​

August 20, 2019 at 9 am, 10 am, 11 am and 6 pm and 7 pm

You must come to the front desk at the Southridge Center BEFORE August 20, 2019, to fill out the form for testing.  You will select a testing time when you complete the form.  Testing spots are first come, first serve so you should come to sign up as soon as possible.

Class Schedule:
Fall Session 1 dates: August 26 through October 17, 2019.

Morning classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  and
Evening classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

For information contact:
 Lori Rice, lsrice@dmacc.edu, 515-287-8723

ELL Southridge Website

​ ​

​1111 E. Army Post Road
Des Moines, IA 50315
Directions to Southridge Center

​Urban Campus

​Fall New Students ​​
All new students must make a testing appointment prior to registration day.
​Please visit us in Building 3, Urban Campus to make a testing appointment. Summer ELL office hours are Monday-Wednesday, 8am-1pm and Thursdays, 3pm-6pm.
​Fall testing appointments​ and regi​stration for new students will be Wednesday, August 14, 2019 (Building 1, Urban Campus).​​​
  • ​​​Please allow up to 2 hours for testing and registration.
  • You MUST bring photo identifcation.
  • Please do not bring children - no childcare will be available.​​

Class Schedule:

Fall Session 1 dates: August 26 through October 17, 2019
  • ​​​Day Classes: 
    • Monday through T​​hursday, 8:15am – 10:15am and 10:30am – 12:30pm.
  • Night Classes
    • ​Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6:00pm –8:30pm.​

For more information, please contact:
John Windheuser, jbwindheuser@dmacc.edu, 515-697-7764, Building 3.
OR
Rhonda Smith, rlsmith34@dmacc.edu, 515-697-7762, Building 3.​​​​​​​​​​
 

​1100 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
Directions to Urban Campus

Walnut Creek Church

This class has been relocated to Urban Campus.

For information contact:
Rhonda Smith, rlsmith34@dmacc.edu, 515-697-7762, Urban Campus, Building 3.
OR
John Windheuser, jbwindheuser@dmacc.edu, 515-697-7764, Urban Campus, Building 3.

Urban Campus
1100 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
Directions to Urban Campus