Typically, community colleges offer academic English classes, and they may choose to offer basic ESL classes as well. Some community colleges also offer adult basic education courses and GED preparation courses for those who want to earn their high school diploma equivalent. Tuition for basic English classes is often very low, as it also is for adult education or GED courses.
ESL teachers in community colleges often have degrees in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language. Many of them have at least a Master's degree in this subject. Teachers in community colleges generally have more training than those who teach in private English language schools and community-based ESL programs.
Most English as a second language courses are not for college credit. Some of them at the higher academic levels may be, but this is not always the case. For example, ESL courses at Georgia Perimeter College do not count toward students' graduations or in their grade point averages. However, students must earn at least a 70 in the classes to pass them, and they cannot repeat any one class more than four times.
Community college ESL courses are often cheaper than those offered at private ESL schools. For example, Highline Community College in Des Moines, Washington, offers $25-per-semester ESL courses as well as tuition waivers in some cases. International students are not eligible for these ESL courses, however, because they are adult basic education classes that do not focus on academic English.