Which ESL class should I take?
Before students enroll in classes, they take the NOVA ESL Assessment to determine which level of ESL classes would be appropriate. There is no charge to take a NOVA ESL assessment.
What is the ESL Assessment?
This assessment has three parts and could take up to 2.5 hours to complete:
- In the reading comprehension section, you will read six passages and answer 32 multiple-choice questions based on these passages.
- The writing and response section includes a short reading, which you will summarize and respond to.
- In the writing section, you will receive a choice of two questions and will be asked to write an essay in response to one of these questions.
How is my ESL assessment scored?
A full-time College ESL or English faculty member evaluates all ESL assessments. Your writing will be assessed on fluency, vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, and evidence of analytical thinking.
When and where can I take the ESL Assessment?
The ESL Assessment is administered online. Contact the Testing Center at the campus most convenient to you to take the assessment.
- Alexandria Testing Center – altestctr@nvcc.edu or 703.845.6035
- Annandale Testing Center – antesting@nvcc.edu or 703.323.3833
- Loudoun Testing Center – lotesting@nvcc.edu or 703.450.2508
- Manassas Testing Center – matestingcenter@nvcc.edu or 703.257.6699
- MEC Testing Center – mectesting@nvcc.edu or 703.822.6654
- Woodbridge Testing Center – wotestingcenter@nvcc.edu or 703.878.5787
You can also take the ESL Assessment from a campus testing center.
How do I get my results for the ESL Placement Assessment?
- You will receive your assessment result by email.
- Contact the ESL Department for questions about your placement and class registration information or any other follow-up questions.
How much do the classes cost?
Tuition for College ESL classes is based on the total number of credit hours you register. If you meet certain Virginia residency requirements, you can pay in-state tuition. Otherwise, you have to pay out-of-state tuition. If you qualify for financial aid, you can use those funds to pay for College ESL classes.
- For more information about the cost of classes, go to Tuition and Costs.
- For more information about tuition assistance, go to Financial Aid.