English as a Second Language
If you want to improve your English to become a better parent, worker, and community member, this program can accommodate you in day or evening English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at the Kirkland campus.
Note
The ESL/ABE Program is intended for Citizens, Immigrants and Refugees. It is not intended for F1, M1, J1, B1 and B2 visas. The ESL/ABE Program does not require and/or process any documentation related to visas or immigration status. If you need to apply for a student visa, please contact International Programs.
Get Started Today!
All prospective ESL students need to follow these steps
Make an appointment for a placement test
Come to the Academic Support Center, Technology Center, T217, or call (425) 739-8100 x8656.
Take a Placement Test
Take a placement test at the Academic Support Center, Technology Center, T217.
Attend a Program Orientation Class, Enroll and Pay $25.00
All ESL and ABE classes cost $25.00 per quarter, regardless of the number of credit taken.
Six Levels of English as a Second Language
Day and evening ESL classes are offered to immigrants and refugees at Lake Washington Institute of Technology's (LWTech) Kirkland campus. Day classes usually are 9 a.m. to noon, and evening classes are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Depending on the level and the schedule, classes can meet from six (6) hours a week to 15 hours a week (3 hours a day). At each level, students work on improving all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
Level 1
EASL 015
Beginning ESL Literacy
Level 2
EASL 016
Low-Beginning ESL
Level 3
EASL 030
High-Beginning ESL
Level 4
EASL 040
Low-Intermediate ESL
Level 5
EASL 050
High-Intermediate ESL
Level 6
EASL 065
Advanced ESL
Online Writing
Under the Basic Skills program, on-line classes help students practice grammar and improve their reading and writing skills. Each quarter, LWTech offers special Orientation sessions. After taking a session, students submit weekly online assignments.
Two online classes are currently available to ESL and ABED students:
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EASL 057 - online Writing for High-Intermediate ESL
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ABED 054 - online Grammar and Writing for Advanced ESL Learners
All ESL and ABE classes cost $25 per quarter, regardless of the number of credits
taken.
College Transition Classes
The Basic Skills program offers special classes to assist ESL/ABED student transition to technical programs. Higher-level ESL and ABED students interested in the college's technical programs have the option to co-enroll in:
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EASL 080 - ESL/ABE College Transition
Additional course work is available to ESL/ABE students who are interested in Healthcare occupations and in the future plan to enroll in one of the Allied Health programs on campus. Instead of taking the regular class sequence, ESL 4 and 5, students (after completion of level 4, respectively 5, or placement into level 5, respectively ABED 045/046) may choose to take special focus ESL/ABED classes under the two classes of the Healthcare Bridge. The two Healthcare Bridge classes cover the same language skills as the regular ESL 5 and ESL 6/ABED 046 but in the context of Health/Science instead of a general context. Students may choose to take the Healthcare Bridge class only, or the regular ESL 5 (morning or evening) plus the Healthcare Bridge class:
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EASL 053 - Healthcare Bridge I
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ABED 054 - Healthcare Bridge II
All ESL and ABE classes cost $25 per quarter, regardless of the number of credits taken.