Adult Education ESL/Citizenship

The Adult Education ESL (AESL) program provides six levels of Adult ESL instruction ranging from Basic Literacy to Advanced. Additionally, we offer Citizenship instruction that prepares students for success in their naturalization interview. Adult Education students also have access to free tutoring and bilingual counseling services. We proudly serve approximately 2,000 students per semester.

Saddleback College provides free, non-credit, open-entry AESL classes.

Registration for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters is now open. Sign up now before classes fill up!

View the Summer 2025 AESL Class Schedule

View the Fall 2025 AESL Class Schedule

NOTE: Summer classes are held June 2 through August 2, 2025.
Fall classes are held August 18 through December 17, 2025.

Getting Started

Step 1: Submit a Saddleback College Application *Click "Create an Account" to begin filling out the OpenCCC Apply application. Your Saddleback Student ID number will be emailed to you after completion of the application.
Step 2: Create account for Adult Education Assessment ID Number (Also known as ASAP ID)
- NOTE: Your ASAP Testing ID is separate from your Saddleback College Student ID Number. This number will be used for CASAS testing to identify learning gains that will take place during your AESL course.
Step 3: Use the English Language Learner Guided Self Placement to identify your level of AESL. Based on your identified level, view the AESL Class Schedule (linked above) to see available classes.
Step 4: Register for your AESL Classes in MySite. For help registering for classes in MySite, visit the "Registration Help Center".
Step 5: Attend free AESL classes in-person or online through Canvas!

Classes Offered

All of the following are free, zero-unit, non-credit courses!

AESL 701 - Basic Literacy
AESL 702 - Beginning Low
AESL 703 - Beginning High
AESL 704 - Intermediate Low
AESL 705 - Intermediate High
AESL 706 - Advanced Low
AESL 708 - Citizenship Preparation
AESL 710 - AESL for the Workplace I
AESL 720 - AESL for the Workplace II
AESL 730 - Vocabulary Development I
AESL 740 - Vocabulary Development II
AESL 760 - Digital Literacy I

NOTE: Students can earn CDCP (Career Development and College Preparation) certificates in Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced AESL levels after receiving a passing grade in two consecutive courses.

AESL Certificates of Competency

Saddleback Adult Education now offers Adult English as a Second Language students the opportunity to earn four state-approved Certificates of Competency. For each certificate, students have to complete two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each.

Students are placed within the sequence of AESL foundation courses according to their English abilities and progress through this sequence. Courses may be offered mornings and/or evenings during fall, spring and summer. There are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

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AESL Beginning Level Certificate of Competency

AESL 701 & 702

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Beginning Level Certificate of Competency is designed for students to demonstrate emerging literacy skills in English. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that students can communicate in everyday situations. Emphasis will focus on comprehending simple conversation, communicating survival needs, reading phrases and simple sentences, and performing communicative written tasks.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

Basic Literacy (AESL 701NC)
Beginning Low (AESL 702NC)

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn this AESL Certificate of Competency are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (AESL 708), and may be prepared to enter the workplace.

AESL Intermediate Level Certificate of Competency

AESL 703 & 704

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Certificate of Competency- Intermediate Level is designed for students to demonstrate intermediate English skills. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills so that students can communicate in everyday situations. Emphasis will be on creative oral language, initial critical thinking skills in reading comprehension and performing communicative written tasks as well as beginning academic writing.

To enroll in these courses, students demonstrate the competencies from the AESL Beginning certificate, or have taken beginning level courses; however, there are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

Beginning High (AESL 703NC)
Intermediate Low (AESL 704NC)

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn this AESL Certificate of Competency are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (AESL 708), and may be prepared to enter the Saddleback College ESL Program or CTE job preparation program.

AESL Advanced Level Certificate of Competency

AESL 705 & 706

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Certificate of Competency Advanced Level is designed for students to demonstrate low-advanced English skills. The goal of this level is to build reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and study skills, so that students can continue to communicate effectively in everyday situations and develop the language necessary to work toward career, personal and education goals (including preparation for credit courses).

To enroll in these courses, students demonstrate the competencies from the AESL Intermediate certificate, or have taken Intermediate level courses; however, there are no enrollment limitations or prerequisites for these courses.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each:

Intermediate High (AESL 705NC )
Advanced Low (AESL 706NC)

Click here for information on Program Student Learning Outcomes for this certificate.

Students who earn the AESL Certificate of Competency - Advanced are eligible to take AESL Citizenship (708), and may be prepared to enter the Saddleback College ESL Program or CTE job-preparation program.

AESL Vocabulary Development Certificate of Competency

AESL 730 & 740

The Adult Education English as a Second Language (AESL) Vocabulary Development sequence of courses will constitute a Career Development and College Preparation Noncredit certificate program. This program is designed for high beginning, intermediate and advanced ESL learners. Students will review and use vocabulary words, common idioms and phrases related to life skills, vocational and academic topics. Students will work on mastering 350-450 new vocabulary items through a variety of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Additionally, students will acquire learning strategies and technology skills to support lifelong English development. AESL 730 is a prerequisite for AESL 740.

Students must complete the following two courses with a noncredit grade of P (pass) in each.