ESL FAQs

What types of ESL programs or classes do you offer?
We have a wide range of ESL classes to fit your needs. They generally fit into three categories.

• For resident students, we offer an intensive college credit program. This is a three-level program that runs on the semester calendar (fall, spring, summer) at 15 weeks (or 10 weeks for summer). This program is 12 college credits (non-transferable) and is considered full time.
• We also offer a similar program for International Students. The core ESL classes are the same as the resident program, but there are additional classes to supplement the visa classroom time requirements. These are noncredit courses.
• Our final category consists of all of our noncredit courses. These classes are for nontraditional students seeking to improve their English. There are no requirements to enroll in these classes unless noted in the description. The costs for these classes are much lower, but still maintain a high quality of instruction and outcomes. Many of these classes are offered in a live remote online classroom, or remote synchronous. This means that you can take a high-quality ESL class with a college professor in the comfort of your home. All you need is a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection. These classes are great for Au Pairs (J1 visa), busy families, or students that cannot commit to being a full-time student.

How much do the programs or classes cost?
Colorado residents pay $153.36 per credit (2024 rates) plus additional student fees ($168.85). Our credit classes are 12 credits per semester. These classes are financial aid eligible.

Our noncredit classes vary in cost. Most of the online courses with a live professor cost about $300 per semester. International students will pay an estimated $6000 per semester for the Intensive ESL Program.

Red Rocks Community College offers payment plans for tuition.

For more information: https://www.rrcc.edu/paying-for-college

What are the requirements needed to take ESL classes at RRCC?
If you are interested in the resident core ESL classes, you need to apply to the college   (www.rrcc.edu/apply-now/new-student) and complete the FAFSA (federal financial aid) (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa ) packet. After that you will need to take an ESL assessment to get your English skill level and then you are ready to enroll in classes.

If you are interested in our International Student ESL program, you will need an F1 visa. Make an appointment with the International Student Services for help with that application process. https://www.rrcc.edu/international

Our noncredit classes are very easy to attend. It is a simple one-page registration and a short 10–15-minute ESL assessment. It can all be done online, and you don’t even have to come to campus. Everyone is welcome regardless of immigration status or location in the world.

How long are the classes? Length of semester, days, and times.
It really depends on which program you want. In general, we offer our classes on the semester system that aligns with RRCC academic calendar. Our semesters are 15 weeks long. The fall semester starts in mid-August and ends the middle of December. Our spring semester starts the third week of January and ends in mid-May.

Our 12-credit core class run 3 days a week with classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They are about 3.5 hours per day and start at 9:00 am and end around 12:30 pm.

Our evening classes are generally around 90 minutes per class and run two days a week in the early evening.

How much homework can the students expect?
Before you enroll in any ESL class, please consider the amount of time outside of the classroom you will need to study. It is recommended that you spend about 2 hours per week per credit. So, a 12-credit course would require about 24 hours per week of homework to excel in your class.

If you take one of the noncredit courses, your homework requirement will be less. We created these classes for people with jobs and families with limited time. In these classes you will still have homework, but it will be much less.

How do I know what ESL skill level I am?
After you apply to the college and get a student number (S#), you can make an appointment with our assessment center to take the Accuplacer ESL assessment. This will determine your English level. This test is about 2 hours long and is free of charge. Make an appointment here: https://www.rrcc.edu/assessment

To get your student number, please apply to the college here: https://www.rrcc.edu/apply-now/new-student

Are your classes financial aid eligible?
The only classes that qualify for federal financial aid are the resident core ESL for credit classes. In order to receive this benefit, you must contact the financial aid office and fill out the FAFSA application form. The sooner you can do this, the better for you. These applications can take time to process. Here is the link: https://www.rrcc.edu/financial-aid

Is there anyone to assist with the F1 International Student Visa process?
Yes. Please contact the International Student Services Center to help you every step of the way.

Here is the link: https://www.rrcc.edu/international 

What are the different methods or modalities that classes are taught?
We offer classes two different ways. We have classes on the Red Rocks campus that are taught in person with a college professor. We also offer classes in a live remote modality (or called remote synchronous) which means a professor teaches the class in real time and the students join the class with a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection.

Do you offer classes for Au Pairs or J1 visa holders?
Yes. We offer 3-credit equivalent courses in ESL. Currently, those classes are offered in a live remote online setting. You will have a live ESL professor teaching the class and you will only need a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection. While this type of class is approved by the federal government, not all Au Pair agencies accept live remote online classes. Be sure to check with your agency. We are currently building more non-ESL classes for Au Pairs that don’t need English, but still need to take 6 credits for their J1 visas.

Why should an F1 Visa International Student choose RRCC ESL?
As a smaller program, students will receive more teacher time and more support services. Our student to teacher ratio ensures that our students get the attention they need to succeed. Our teaching staff are highly qualified and very experienced. We have high expectations for our teachers and students to get the best possible outcomes and next level success. Compared to other programs, we do not require a TOFEL score. We will assess your level at our campus (or remotely) and only require a basic level of English for admittance. The cost of our program is substantially lower than other schools and yet we provide a high-quality education and experience. We are committed to your success and view you as valuable individual and just not a number.