PALM DESERT — Bringing classes to residents where they live and work, College of the Desert will offer English as a Second Language courses in the new Coachella Library when the spring semester starts on Jan. 28, 2019.

“College of the Desert is excited to partner with the city of Coachella to expand access and opportunity for adult learners,” Dr. Lindsay Vance, Director of Non-credit and Adult Basic Education Programs at the College, said in a prepared statement. “This new location provides students and instructors with both a modern environment for learning and opportunities for students and their families to connect to the many services and resources offered at this branch.”

Specific Coachella class offerings for Spring 2019 will include Non-credit English as a Second Language (ESLN) foundation and level 1 classes, which are designed to improve English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, according to a News Release.

The full ESLN program includes six levels of English courses, ranging from Foundations to Advanced. The program also offers elective courses in pronunciation, conversation, computer skills, and vocational ESL. Several non-credit certificates are available, and students over the age of 18 are welcome to enroll regardless of prior educational experience. After completing the ESLN Program students are empowered to apply their English language skills to advance their careers or further their education, including High School Diploma completion, GED test preparation and/or enrolling in for-credit college coursework.

“Our classes are taught throughout the Coachella Valley—including Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio and now Coachella,” Dr. Vance said.

Tuition for ESLN Foundation courses is free; however, students do pay a $20 health and service fee each semester.

Prospective students can apply in person by visiting either the Indio or Palm Desert campus, or by calling 760.776.7348, and speaking with a non-credit enrollment specialist.

To simplify this process, the College is offering two special English as a Second Language registration and enrollment events, which will allow prospective students to take an assessment test, meet with a counselor and register for courses in one visit.

  • January 17, 2019, Edward Wenzlaff Education Center, 1625 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs
  • January 24, 2019, College of the Desert, Indio, 45524 Oasis St., Indio

Prospective students should contact the Non-Credit Office at the College of the Desert at 760.776.7348 for more information or to register for one of the upcoming enrollment events.

Established in 1958, College of the Desert, located in Palm Desert, is an accredited community college serving eastern Riverside County, California. The College leads the region in providing quality, higher education, technical training and lifelong learning opportunities, in response to the dynamic needs of our diverse community. The College serves more than 18,000 credit students and 1,000 non-credit students each year and is the number one source of transfer students to California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus. For more information, visit www.collegeofthedesert.edu.