English Language Acquisition

Get to Know ELAC

Our ESL program is English Language Acquisition (ELAC), which supports you in your development of academic English. ELAC classes are not basic skills or remedial. They are for students who are multilingual and studying English as a second or foreign language at intermediate to advanced levels.

The classes you take here will focus on all English communication skills necessary to be successful in college level work as well as how to navigate your way through college in the United States. You can earn transferable credit to CSUs and UCs in our highest level class, ELAC 145.

Interested in taking ELAC classes at City?

Click on the "Get Started" tab below! And be sure to take the ELAC Guided Self-Placement to know which classes to register for.

Contact the ELAC Chair, Professor Jennifer Boots (jboots@sdccd.edu) with questions about our program or for more information.

Important note: Due to Covid-19, in spring 2022, some ELAC classes will be held on campus and some online. Most of our day classes will be on campus and have a vaccine or exemption requirement and evening classes will have online live sessions. All classes will be fun and engaging! The required class times will be during the days and times listed in the class schedule. Please click on "ELAC Classes" below for a more detailed schedule.

Want to join our mailing list for the latest ELAC news and updates?
Sign up here! View our Fall 2021 Newsletter here.

Are you a new student and not sure which ELAC classes to take?
Complete the ELAC Guided Self-Placement to determine your skills level.

Get Started

We're excited that you are taking the first steps on your journey to expanding your academic English with us. If you have any questions or get stuck on any of the steps below, please contact Professor Jennifer Boots (jboots@sdccd.edu). We're here to help you!

Step 1: Apply Online to San Diego City College through CCC Apply

All new students must register through CCC Apply before beginning classes at City College.

Step 2: Watch the Online Orientation Video

The Online Orientation video will help you get to know the campus and learn about the resources at City College that will help you succeed.

Step 3: Take the Online Guided Self-Placement

This online guided self-placement will let you know which ELAC classes we recommend you take. If you think the recommended classes are too difficult (placement is too high), you can register for any classes below your level. If you think the recommended classes are too easy (placement is too low), you can contact the ELAC Chair, Jennifer Boots (jboots@sdccd.edu ).

Step 4: Watch the Education Planning Workshop Videos and Meet with a Counselor to Plan your Schedule

Learn more about City College and what your Milestone levels mean through the series of videos in the online Education Planning Workshop. Then meet with a counselor to create a 1-2 semester Education Plan so that you know which classes to register for. Call the Counseling Department (619-894-6118) or schedule an on campus or online appointment today!

Step 5: Register for your Classes As Soon As Possible!

If you have trouble with registering for your classes, you can contact the Peer Advocate Center (619-800-2739). We know it can be a complicated process, but we're here to help!

Step 6: Attend your Classes (on campus and online options for spring 2022)!

The first day of spring 2022 ELAC classes is Monday, February 7th.

Still not sure what to do or where to start?

Join us at our ELAC Information Sessions where you can get to know more about the ELAC program, talk with your future professors, and learn about some of the work you will do in your ELAC classes.

ELAC Classes

Spring 2022 Schedule

For spring 2022, some ELAC classes are taught on campus and some are taught fully online with required live online sessions during the scheduled remote times. For on campus classes, there is a vaccine or exemption requirement.

ELAC 7 - English Grammar - 2 units

Online: Fri 8:45am-11:00am; 2/14-5/28/2022 (80691)

ELAC 15- Introduction to English Literacy and Communication - 9 units

Online: Tu/We/Th 6:00pm-7:30pm + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87117)

ELAC 23- Academic Listening and Speaking I - 6 units

Online: Mo/We 6:00pm-7:35pm + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87121)

ELAC 25- Integrated Reading, Writing, and Grammar I - 6 units

Online: Tu/Th 6:00pm-7:35pm + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87129)

ELAC 33- Academic Listening and Speaking II - 3 units

On Campus: Tu/Th 9:30am-11:00am; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87131)

Online: Mo 6:00pm-7:35pm + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87130)

ELAC 35- Integrated Reading, Writing, and Grammar II - 6 units

Online: Tu/Th 6:00pm-7:35pm + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87133)

ELAC 145- Integrated Reading, Writing, and Grammar III - 6 units

On Campus: Mo/We 9:35am-11:00am + WEB; 2/7-5/28/2022 (87135)

Core Classes

ELAC 15 - All skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar)

Read a text and compose a paragraph using information from the text in the response.
Comprehend and respond to multi step instructions appropriately.

ELAC 23 - Academic Listening and Speaking I

Effectively collaborate and express personal opinions in a small group.
Accurately identify and express the central idea of an audio text/presentation/discussion.

ELAC 25 - Academic Reading, Writing, and Grammar I

Effectively organize and compose a multi-paragraph written piece.
Accurately summarize and effectively reflect on the written work of another.

ELAC 33 - Academic Listening and Speaking II

Discuss and effectively defend a position in a small group setting.
Accurately identify and summarize the main points of an audio text/presentation/discussion.

ELAC 35 - Academic Reading, Writing, and Grammar II

Compose an organized, multi-paragraph piece that effectively responds to the work of another.
Interpret and evaluate a full length novel or memoir.

ELAC 145 - Academic Reading, Writing, and Grammar III

Analyze and synthesize the written works of others and compose an organized, multi-paragraph piece in response.
Revise and reflect on own written work that demonstrates an advanced level of reading, writing, and critical thinking.

Electives

ELAC 5A - English Language Grammar

ELAC 5B - English Language Grammar

ELAC 7 - Pronunciation

ELAC 16 - Accelerated class (must also be enrolled in ELAC 15)

Revise and expand on own written work that demonstrates an intermediate level of reading, writing, and critical thinking.

ELAC 26 - Accelerated class (must also be enrolled in ELAC 25)

Revise and expand on own written work that demonstrates an intermediate-high level of reading, writing, and critical thinking.

After successfully completing ELAC 145, we recommend you register for English 101x.

ELAC Program Learning Outcomes

Read and comprehend texts, recognize author strategies, purpose, perspective and argument, and use critical thinking to evaluate a variety of writing.
Organize ideas and information and express them clearly and effectively in writing for both academic and workplace contexts for different communicative purposes.
Describe, explain, and analyze multiple perspectives on issues in ways that demonstrate global awareness and appreciation of diversity in its many manifestations.
Apply strategies both inside and outside the classroom that reflect an understanding of the reading and writing processes in order to become life-long learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens.
Develop effective verbal and presentational skills for a variety of communication situations.

Meet your Professors

	Jennifer Boots, ELAC Chair Hi! I am Jen. I have been teaching ELAC and English at City College since 2006. I enjoy working with my classes on projects that raise awareness and affect change in our communities. Similar to many of my colleagues, I have lived abroad teaching English - for me, in Japan - and have a passion for traveling to new places. I also enjoy camping, hiking, and trying out new restaurants. I look forward to working with you! Welcome to City College! jboots@sdccd.edu
	Dailyn Brown I love traveling and learning more about other cultures and languages. I realized that when I work with the diverse population of students here at City, I get to "travel" all over the world without ever leaving San Diego. It is exciting to get to know so many interesting people every semester. I enjoy helping students find out more about how they learn best and what they are passionate about to help motivate them in their language learning journey. I also enjoy growing fruits and vegetables and cooking as much as I can with what we grow at our own home, which we call "The Urban Nest." In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 33 and 35. dbrown001@sdccd.edu
	Michelle Chan When I started teaching as a Language Assistant in France back in 2007, I knew I had found my passion. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to meet and learn from some AMAZING students and fellow teachers who continue to inspire me today. I joined the City College ELAC family in 2017 after serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan (marHaba!) and teaching college and university students in the Washington, D.C. area. When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy reading, watching TV, going camping with my husband, and playing with my two dogs, Peanut and Cashew. mchan001@sdccd.edu
	Daniel Craig Hello, San Diego City College students! I have been teaching ELAC and English at City College since 2007. Before that, I taught English in South Korea for two years. I truly enjoy teaching because of the many different perspectives and experiences that my students bring to the classroom. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, playing tennis, running, reading, listening to music (especially live music!), and spending time with my wife and my dog. In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 145. Welcome to the City College ELAC program! dcraig@sdccd.edu
	Christina Fithian My name is Christina, and I am passionate about linguistics, particularly grammar/syntax and how our minds process language. I enjoy studying non-standard dialects of English, and I worked on dialect and bilingualism research in Miami, Florida where I did my graduate studies. I have been teaching English and ELAC classes here at City College since 2013. In my free time, I enjoy being active—running, hiking, biking, gardening, and generally doing anything that involves being outside. In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 7. cfithian@sdccd.edu
	Aileen Gum Welcome new and returning students! In the past, I was a French teacher, but after I spent time helping elderly refugees with English, I went back to school to learn how to teach English as a Second Language. I love meeting people from different countries and cultures, so I look forward to working together with you. I wear many "hats," at our school (I teach different subjects), so if you have questions about English, ESL, or learning technology, please feel free to reach out with any questions. In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 33. agum@sdccd.edu
	Kelly Metz-Matthews I teach English Language Acquisition (ELAC), English, and teacher education. I am especially fond of teaching ELAC because I am a second-language speaker myself. Prior to teaching, I spent a decade as a writer and editor. I am obsessed with reading; if you can't find me, I'm probably hiding out under a pile of books. I live in La Mesa, California in an eclectic little library masquerading as a house. kmetz@sdccd.edu
	Sean Perry Hello, City College students! I love to talk about grammar and language with interesting people from around the world. I'm a local boy who graduated from San Diego High School, UCSD, and SDSU. Outside of class, I spend time with my wife, daughter, and two dogs. For fun, I study languages, make music, watch TV and documentaries, play video games, and eat. My classroom is always fun and interactive, and I will teach you skills you will use for the rest of your life. I hope to see you soon! In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 23. sperry@sdccd.edu
	Natasha Tricoche ntricoch@sdccd.edu
	David Walsh Hi everyone. My name is Professor David Walsh, and I am originally from the Boston area; however, San Diego has been my home for the past 35 years. San Diego City College is also home because I have been teaching here since 2010. I am a proud graduate of San Diego City College and San Diego State University with a B.A. in English and a M.A. in Applied Linguistics for teaching college-level English courses for non-native speakers. I teach all levels of English and ESL (ELAC) courses on our campus. Some of the topics we have explored in my courses include immigrant and refugee experience, literacy in the digital age, education, identity, mental health in the Western world, success, The American Dream, technology, free-speech, and so much more. I always do my best to select topics and texts that are relevant to current events and our specific classroom community. I am also a member of the English Center support staff, providing workshops for our students and tutors, so please stop by to say hello. Some of my likes are books, kindness, generosity, and humor. My dislikes are borders (of any kind), cruelty, and inequality. I look forward to meeting and working with you. dwalsh@sdccd.edu
	Leslie Werren I have been teaching ESL for 20 years and I am passionate about my job. In addition to teaching at several community colleges in San Diego, I also taught ESL in Switzerland for three and a half years and learned to speak German. I joined the ELAC department at SDCCD in 2005. The best part about my job at City is working with City College's wonderful mix of students from all over the world. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy being in nature and spending time with my family. I also like cooking and the picture on the left is of my herb garden. Welcome to the ELAC program at City and I hope to meet you in one of my classes soon! In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 25. lwerren@sdccd.edu
	Kori Zunic I have been a teacher for the past 17 years and it has been my absolute passion and calling. I earned my B.A. in International Studies from the University of Little Rock at Arkansas and my M.A. in TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) from City University of New York, Hunter College. My first teaching job was in a high school in Queens, New York, where all the students were newcomers. I loved working with this population of students, but life brought me to the West Coast where I started teaching in all of the local community colleges, such as Southwestern, City, Mesa, Palomar and Grossmont. For the past 5 years, I have been blessed to call City my forever home. I usually teach ELAC classes in addition to English 47A and 101. In my free time, you can find me spending time with my mom, husband, and just-turned-teenage son. I am originally from Croatia, a small country in Europe, but have been living in the States for the past 30+ years. In spring 2022, I am teaching ELAC 15. kzunic@sdccd.edu

Resources for Current Students

Need homework help?
Meet with a tutor on campus or online through The English Center. They can help you with homework and planning and revising your essays and other school work.

Hungry?
Due to COVID-19, the Food Pantry is currently closed. However, you can still pick up a bag of food on Hunger Action Days, which takes place twice a month. Click here to sign up to receive a free box of food.

Need help from a librarian?
The LRC/Library has limited hours due to Covid-19. Librarian are ready to help on campus and online! Visit the LRC/Library website for more information.

Planning to transfer or wondering about
your career options?
Get help from the amazing counselors at the Transfer and Career Center.

Need help planning your classes next
semester?
Meet with an Academic Counselor on campus or online to create your Educational Plan (Ed Plan).

Feeling stressed and need someone to talk to?
The Mental Health Counseling Center is there to help. You can speak with a counselor privately. The counselors can also refer you to helpful resources in the community, such as housing and food.

mental health

Need Help? Contact Us!

If you have any questions about enrolling in our ELAC program, don't hesitate to contact us.

We are here to help!

Jennifer Boots

ELAC Chair and Professor

jboots@sdccd.edu