Noncredit ELL

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

ELL Classes will resume on August 31, 2020 in an online format.

Please check back on this site August 1, 2020 for information on how to register.

In the meantime, if you have questions, you can contact one of the consultants below:

Christine Baker, clbaker12@dmacc.edu - Ames & Carroll

John Windheuser, jbwindheuser@dmacc.edu - Urban, Ankeny, Walnut Creek

Lori Rice, lsrice@dmacc.edu - Southridge, First Christian Church, Newton, Perry

Last updated 7/6/2020

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

What locations offer classes?

Classes are offered at Ames Hunziker Center, Ankeny Campus, Carroll Campus, Des Moines First Christian Church, Newton Campus, Perry VanKirk Center, Southridge Center, and Urban Campus. Students generally take class at the location closest to their home.

What levels of class are available?

The individual classes that are offered depend on the campus/site. However, in general, the DMACC Non-Credit ELL program offers seven levels of classes (from pre-beginning to advanced). Not all classes are available at all locations and some classes may be mixed-level. Check with your specific campus/site for more detailed class information.

What times of the day can I take class?

Class times depend on the campus/site. In general, classes are offered in early- and late-morning as well as the evening. However, not every campus/site offers classes at all of those times (ex: some sites may only offer evening classes). Please check with the specific campus/site to find updated class schedules

How do I sign up for classes?

Each campus/site has a slightly different process for registration. Generally, prospective students make a testing appointment before registration day. On registration day, the prospective student comes to the site at their appointment time. They then take a CASAS Reading test and discuss the results with a DMACC staff member. The staff member works to find the correct level class at a time that works for the student and registers the student for class. Contact your campus/site for most updated registration information.

How much do classes cost?

Classes are free, but students must buy a textbook. Textbooks cost about $40.

Do I have to attend every class?

We understand that sometimes students need to miss class for appointments, sick children, illness, vacation, etc. However, you should try to come to class as much as possible and, if you need to miss class, please tell your teacher. If you miss three days of class in a row and have not told your teacher that you will be gone, you will be dropped from the class. You will not be able to come back to class until the next session.

Can I bring my kids to class?

No, DMACC does not provide childcare and children are not allowed in classrooms. Please make other childcare arrangements before coming to class.

How do I progress through the program?

Students are assessed with the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) reading and listening tests and with formal and informal in-class assessments carried out by instructors. Students move through the program (move up through the different levels of classes) based on their test scores and the recommendations of instructors. It is not uncommon for students to take the same level of class several times.

What can I do when I finish the program?

Once a student has completed the most advanced levels of the program, they have several options for continued study including:

HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) classes
Credit classes at DMACC (including credit ELL classes)
DMACC Workforce Training Academy

Testing Locations & Dates