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. 
  • Please​ 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

Spring Session 1 Testing & Registration Date:

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in Room 223

Classes Schedule
Spring Session 1 dates​: January 6 through February 28, 2020​. Time of class will depend upon class level determined at testing. 

Day classes are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Evening classes are:  Monday, Wednesday, 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​

 Spring Session 1 Testing & Registration Date:
Testing and registration will be done on the first day of class. Morning class registration will take place on Monday, January 13. Evening class registration will take place on Tuesday, January 14. No appointment is needed.

Class Schedule

Morning Class
January 13 - March 5
Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mixed-Level Class
Building 24, Room 207

Evening Class
January 14 - March 5
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​

Spring Session 1 Testing & Registration Date: 

Please check back for Spring 2020 registration information. Thank you!​

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 October 21, 2019 at 9 a.m.
You must contact Deb Sheehy at dcsheehy@dmacc.edu to make an appointment for testing.

Class Schedule
Fall Session 2 dates: October 28 - December 12, 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:

October 23, 2019 at 6 pm

Class Schedule:
Fall Session 2 dates: October 28 - December 12, 2019.

Classes are: Monday & 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

Spring Session 1 Testing & Registration Date:​

December 17, 2019 at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

You can sign up for a testing time one of two ways:

1. Click this registration form link​.

2. Come to the front desk at the Southridge Center BEFORE December 17, 2019, to fill out the registration form.  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:
Spring Session #1 dates: January 13 - March 5, 2020.

Morning classes:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.   
Evening classes:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
6 p.m. - 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​

​Class Schedule:

Spring Session 1 dates: January 13 - March 5, 2020
  • ​​​Day Classes 
    • Monday through T​​hursday, 8:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 12:30p.m.
  • Night Classes
    • ​Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.​

Registration for Spring Session #1 will take place on Wednesday, December 18.

You MUST make a registration appointment to be able to enroll in classes.​ All appointments will be for December 18 (morning or evening).

We will begin to accept registration appointments for Spring Session 1 on Thursday, December 5. You can make an appointment in two ways:

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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Office hours:    ​Monday, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
                       Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
                       Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
                       Thursday, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.​

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

Walnut Creek Church

Class Schedule (both classes)
Spring Session 1 dates: January 14, 2020 - March 5, 2020
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Available classes

  • Mixed Level English – High (for intermediate and advanced learners)
  • Mixed Level English – Low (for basic and beginning learners)

Walnut Creek Church is located at 323 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 (downtown – East Village). Free parking is available for students in the parking lot on the south side of the church.​

To register for class, please contact:

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

DMACC Office Location:

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