Supportive English language learning that builds confidence for work, school, and everyday life

Our ESL program provides practical, real-world language skills for academic, professional, and everyday communication. You’ll build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English through interactive instruction and cultural immersion — gaining workplace-ready communication skills, improved comprehension, and cross-cultural awareness. Supportive faculty and authentic learning experiences prepare you for success in college courses, careers, and community life.

RVCC offers ESL for two goals: learning English for work and everyday life, and earning college credit toward a degree or certificate. Pick the path that fits you below — and if you’re not sure, we’ll help you decide.

Learn English for Work & Daily Life (Non-Credit)

Best for you if:

  • You want to improve your English for a job, your family, or daily life
  • You speak little or no English, or want to build basic skills
  • You want to start quickly without a placement test

Cost: About $395 per course. Materials not included. Non-credit courses are not eligible for financial aid.

Placement test: Not required.

Levels: Basic ESL; Introduction to ESL (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B); Pronunciation & Accent Reduction.

Contact: Maryam Sheikh – maryam.sheikh@raritanval.edu, 908-526-1200, ext. 8462, or 908-218-8871

Earn College Credit (Academic)

Best for you if:

  • You want to take college classes or earn a degree at RVCC
  • You already speak, read, and write some English
  • You want advanced speaking, reading, writing, and grammar

Cost: Tuition by credit — about $1,344 for 6 credits (part-time) or $2,688 for 12 credits (full-time) for Hunterdon/Somerset residents. Payment plans available. Financial aid available for degree-seeking students in an eligible certificate or associate degree program.

Placement test: Required (ESL Placement Test).

Levels: Beginning, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced.

Credential: Certificate of Completion in English as a Second Language.

Contact: Lindsey Hageman · lindsey.hageman@raritanval.edu · 908-526-1200 x8221

Not sure which path is right for you?

Take the ESL Placement Test at the Testing Center — or just ask us. Contact an ESL Advisor and we’ll answer your questions about the program and your educational and career goals, help you understand your placement results, and work with you to build a schedule.

  • Book a placement test online, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8401, or email tcenter@raritanval.edu.
  • Walk in to the Testing Center (arrive at least 2 hours before closing)
  • Still deciding between non-credit and credit? Email Maryam Sheikh (non-credit) or Lindsey Hageman (credit) — no test needed just to ask.

You can place into any level, or place out. From non-credit (Professional Development) ESL you can move up into credit (Academic) ESL when you’re ready.

Non-Credit (for work & daily life)

  • Basic ESL — for those with little English; build communication for work, family, and personal life.
  • Introduction to ESL 1A & 1B — basic pronunciation and vocabulary; simple grammar; write simple sentences and short paragraphs.
  • Introduction to ESL 2A & 2B — continue basic grammar; write simple narrative and descriptive paragraphs.
  • Pronunciation & Accent Reduction — clearer pronunciation and listening for work, school, and daily life. (Prerequisite: Level 2A/2B or high-intermediate proficiency.)

Each non-credit level is 40 hours of instruction.

 

How to Enroll

Credit (for college & careers)

  • Advanced Beginner — advanced beginning skills in reading, writing, grammar, speaking, and pronunciation.
  • Low Intermediate — lower intermediate reading, writing, listening, speaking, and pronunciation tasks.
  • Intermediate — build fluency and comprehensive skills in academic English. Students may also take a math course at the same time.
  • High Intermediate / Low Advanced — build fluency and comprehensive skills in academic English through longer, more challenging tasks. Students may take a variety of non-ESL, major classes at the same time.
  • Advanced — refine grammar and writing to master academic English. Students may take a variety of non-ESL, major classes at the same time.

Academic ESL offers focused courses in English Grammar, Speaking & Listening, Reading & Writing, and Pronunciation to prepare you for college-level English.

 

How to Enroll

  • Apply to the College — online or in person at the Admissions Office. (Allow at least 24 hours after applying before step 2. You should receive an email with your student number, which you’ll need.)
  • Take the ESL Placement Test — book online, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8401, email tcenter@raritanval.edu, or walk in.
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to build your schedule. Register early for your preferred times and to avoid late fees.

When classes run: Fall (late Aug/early Sept–late Dec), Spring (mid-Jan–mid-May), Summer (late May–July). Academic ESL offers morning and evening classes in Fall/Spring and evening classes in Summer; non-credit is mostly evenings, with some morning and Saturday options.

Non-Credit Courses

Basic ESL

LA318 – 40 hours
Instructor: K Carter
Course Fee: $395
Dates: September 15 – November 19
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7–9pm
Registration Deadline: September 14

Designed for learners with little or no prior English experience. Students build foundational speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through practical, everyday communication.

Register here

ESL Level 1A

LA305 – 40 hours
Instructor: Myriam Adyadou
Course Fee: $395
Date: September 14-November 18
Day: Mondays & Wednesdays
Time: 7-9pm
Registration Deadline: September 13

Develop real-world communication skills for work, study, and daily life while building confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Register here

ESL Level 1B

LA307 – 40 hours
Instructor: TBA
Course Fee: $395
Date: September 15 – November 19
Day: Tuesday & Thursday
Time: 7-9pm
Registration Deadline: September 14

Build on the skills developed in Level 1A while expanding vocabulary, strengthening grammar, and participating more actively in conversations.

Register here

ESL Level 2A

LA325 – 40 hours
Instructor: Guillermo Reina
Course Fee: $395
Date: September 16 – November 16
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 7-9pm
Registration Deadline: September 15

Strengthen sentence structure, broaden vocabulary, and develop more independent communication skills through interactive practice and real-life topics.

Register here

ESL Level 2B

LA326 – 40 hours
Instructor:Karla Vega
Course Fee: $395
Date: September 16 – November 23
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 7-9pm
Registration Deadline: September 15

Continue developing grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills while preparing for higher-level ESL coursework and workplace communication.

Register here

Pronunciation & Accent Reduction

Pre-requisite: ESL Level 2A/2B or a high intermediate level of English proficiency.

LA902 – 40 hours
Instructor: Karla Vega
Course Fee: $395
Date: TBA
Day: Monday & Wednesday
Time: 6-9pm
Registration Deadline: TBA

Pronunciation & Accent Reduction is a 40-hour program with guided practice, listening activities, individualized feedback, participants will develop clear pronunciation, improve listening comprehension, and gain practical communication skills for work, school, and daily life.

Register here

FAQ

How many levels are there?

Non-credit (Professional Training Course) has Basic plus Introduction to ESL Levels 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. Academic (credit) ESL has five levels: beginning, low intermediate, intermediate, high intermediate, and advanced. You can place into any level, place out, or start below our program in a community program.

What’s the difference between Academic and Professional Training ESL?

Choose Academic (credit) if you want to take college classes or earn a degree, already speak/read/write some English, or want advanced grammar and writing. Choose Professional Training (non-credit) if you want English for a job, speak little or no English, or want conversation and accent-reduction practice. Not sure? Take the placement test.

Is financial aid available?

Yes — but only for Academic (credit) ESL, and only if you’re enrolled in an eligible certificate or associate degree program. Apply for aid online or email finaid@raritanval.edu. Professional Training (non-credit) courses are not eligible for financial aid, because billing isn’t based on credit hours.

How much does it cost?

Academic (credit): about $1,344 for 6 credits or $2,688 for 12 credits (Hunterdon/Somerset residents); payment plans available. Professional Training (non-credit): about $395 per course.

Can I earn a credential?

Yes — a Certificate of Completion in English as a Second Language, earned through the Academic ESL program, on its own or added to any major.

Do I need to take college classes in English right away?

No. Many students begin in Professional Training ESL and move into Academic ESL as their English grows.

Prefer another language?

Use the accessibility toolbar button at the bottom right of the page to translate this page in your language. Or click the following link to translate into Spanish: En Español

Questions about enrolling? Email Maryam Sheikh (maryam.sheikh@raritanval.edu) or call 908-526-1200 x8462 — no placement test is required for non-credit ESL.

Full-Time Faculty

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Cheryl Bell
Cheryl Bell

Cheryl Bell

Professor

Professor Cheryl Bell has taught English to Speakers of Other Languages for 30 years, including over 20 years at Raritan Valley Community College, where she specializes in innovative, student-centered approaches to language acquisition. A National Writing Project Teacher Consultant and conference presenter at TESOL International and regional venues, she is passionate about empowering multilingual students to succeed academically and professionally.

Degrees:

  • M.A.,TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Bilingual Education, University of Findlay
  • B.S., King’s College
Andrea Vaccaro
Andrea Vaccaro

Andrea Vaccaro

Professor

Professor Andrea Vaccaro has been teaching advanced ESL composition for over 20 years. She has written two editions of a textbook titled Masterful Essays in Academic English: A Language Learner’s Handbook and has another book that will be published in the summer of 2027 titled The Cyborg and the Luddite: A Memoir.

Degrees:

  • M.A. in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), University of San Francisco
  • B.A., Women’s Studies, Rutgers University
Lindsey Hageman
Lindsey Hageman

Lindsey Hageman

Instructor, ESL Program Coordinator

Lindsey is the ESL Program Coordinator and a tenure-track ESL instructor at Raritan Valley Community College. She has 8 years of teaching experience across multiple language levels. Her interests include inclusive pedagogy, career competencies, process-writing, and literature in the language classroom.

Degrees:

  • MS TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany
  • BA, English Literature, McGill University

Contacts

Non-Credit / Workforce ESL (Basic & Introduction to ESL)
Maryam Sheikh
maryam.sheikh@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200, ext. 8462

Academic / Credit ESL
Lindsey Hageman
lindsey.hageman@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200, ext. 8221

Andrea Vaccaro
andrea.vaccaro@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200, ext. 8575

Placement Testing
tcenter@raritanval.edu
908-526-1200, ext. 8401

Upcoming Academic ESL Advising Hours

  • September 2: 12:30 – 2:30 pm in Room S223-A
  • September 8: 2:30 – 4:30 pm in Room S223-A
    *This is the last day to register for full semester courses.
  • September 17: 12:30 – 3:30 pm in Room S-223-A
  • September 21: 12:00 – 2:00 pm in Room L-029 (Ayuda en español)
    *This is the last day to register for late-start courses.