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Frequently Asked Questions:
Where and when do classes meet? Where do students live? Can students take other college courses? How do students know what courses to take? What is the JSRCC ESL placement test? How long does it take to finish the ESL program? How much do classes cost? Can students get financial aid for ESL courses? Course Information For more Information Contact: Laurie Weinberg (ESL Program Coordinator) Or Jinky Davis (Student Support Specialist) Phone: (804) 523-5020 |
Where and when do classes meet? [Back to top]
Day and evening ESL classes meet on the Parham Road Campus at 1651 East Parham Road, near Exit 83B on Interstate 95. (US Postal Zip Code 23228) ESL classes follow the college calendar:
The number of credits for a class determines how many hours it meets. For example, during spring and fall semesters, a six-credit class meets two or three times each week, totaling almost six hours of instruction per week. Summer classes meet three or four times per week.
Where do students live? [Back to top]
JSRCC does not have student housing, but students can rent apartments or houses nearby.
Can students take other college courses? [Back to top]
Most ESL students can take other academic classes while they are completing their ESL courses. Below we have listed the types of courses ESL students are allowed to enroll in at each ESL level. Some courses have other requirements as well. These requirements are true for ALL college students and appear in the catalog as “prerequisites.” As you can probably guess, PRE / REQUISITE means courses you are required to take before registering for a particular course. The other guidelines for ESL students come from the specific departments or from the ESL advisors.
>> ESL Students Co-requisite Eligibilities
How do students know what courses to take?[Back to top]
Students whose native language is not English must take the college's ESL placement test before registering for any courses, even if they have graduated from a U.S. high school or attended another college or university. You may check with the Admissions Office or the ESL Program Director to get information about exemptions.
The ESL placement test
shows how well students use English in reading, writing, and conversation. ESL instructors use the test
to decide what courses each student needs. Students can take courses
from different levels during the same semester if their skills are stronger
in some areas than others. For example, a student may need Intermediate
writing and oral communication but High Intermediate reading. Advisors
will help student choose classes. Registration for any student
still requiring ESL coursework must be done in the ESL office.
The JSRCC ESL Placement
Test [Back to top]
The JSRCC ESL Placement Test consists of three parts: Writing
Sample (40 minutes), Reading Comprehension (untimed), and an Oral Interview.
Students must make an appointment to take the test. For a test appointment,
call (804) 523 - 5020. The test is given at the Parham Road Campus, Burnette
Hall, Room 232. The exam will take approximately two hours. There
is a $6.00 fee for the test, which must be paid in 204 Georgiadis Hall.
For Sample Reading Items, see http://www.act.org/esl/pdf/sample.pdf
SAMPLE ESL Reading Placement Test
>> Act
ESL Reading
How long does it take to finish
the ESL program?[Back to top]
Many students
complete one ESL level in one semester. Some students advance
faster; others need more time. To progress quickly, students should take
as many ESL courses each semester as they can.
How much do classes cost? [Back to top]
Current tuition rates and payment information can be found at the following site: http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/jsr_ar/Paying_for_College.htm. Tuition prices do not include the cost of textbooks.
Some visas do not allow students to qualify for in-state rates. Visit the Admissions Office Web Site or call the Admissions Office at (804-523-5029) to find out about visas and residence requirements.
Can students get financial aid for ESL courses? [Back to top]
Several types of financial aid are available to ESL students who qualify. Some financial aid programs pay the entire cost of tuition and books. Applications for financial aid are available from the Access Centers at any JSRCC campus. Visit the Financial Aid Web Siteor call the Parham Road Campus Financial Aid Office at (805-523-5368)
ESL Students Co-requisite Eligibilities [Back to top]
Most ESL students can take other academic classes while they are completing their ESL courses. Below we have listed the types of courses ESL students are allowed to enroll in at each ESL level. Some courses have other requirements as well. These requirements are true for ALL college students and appear in the catalog as “prerequisites.” As you can probably guess, PRE / REQUISITE means courses you are required to take before registering for a particular course. The other guidelines for ESL students come from the specific departments or from the ESL advisors.