Take ENGL 1A or ESL 1A in your first year
College Composition English or English as a Second Language (ESL) 1A is required for all degrees. All students are eligible to take transfer-level English in the first year. No classes below this level are required. Cabrillo offers this course in three (3) unique class formats, they are all the same level and degree applicable.
This course is a building block for your academic success; you will use the writing and research skills taught in this class in every other class you take. You will learn how to take a point of view, support your position with cited research, write and revise clear, accurate papers. Cabrillo offers this class in three formats, they are all the same level and degree applicable.
Main Course OR Main Course PLUS Corequisite Support Course
How do I choose?
Your class format recommendation is based on your grade point average. However, you decide for yourself the format that is best for your needs and academic success. When choosing, trust yourself and think about how you learn, how you need to manage your time and what support you need in the classroom. All three meet the same requirement.
English 1A Main Course only
Recommended for students with a high school GPA of 2.6 or above.
Two (2) Required Classes
Plan for four (4) units total, four (4) hours in class per week.
- ENGL 1A: College Composition
- Library 10: Information Research
For students who are comfortable with the writing process and prefer to seek help with assignments as needed, outside the classroom.
What to expect:
- Write and revise expository essays and research papers
- Learn research techniques and academic annotation
- Critically analyze sources
- Develop and refine your writing process
As needed, seek academic support outside of the classroom:
- Meet with your instructor during office hours
- Visit the Writing Center or the ILC
- FREE Tutoring in the HUB or ILC
English 1A Main Course PLUS Corequisite Support Course
Recommended for students with a high school GPA of 2.59 or below.
Three (3) Required Classes
Plan for six (6) units total, six (6) hours in class per week
- ENGL 1A: College Composition
- ENGL 101A: College Composition Plus
- Library 10: Information Research
For students that prefer in class support with writing assignments. This format allows time in class to build your confidence as a writer to ensure your academic success. What to expect:
- More time with your instructor
- Additional help with writing skills and the revision process
- Learn what to do when you get a paper back and are asked to revise.
- Strengthen reading skills with group discussions about the assigned texts
- Expand your academic vocabulary
- Learn to use research techniques and academic annotation
- Find and critically analyze sources
- Dedicated time to explore assignment expectations
- Write and revise expository essays and research papers
English as a Second Language 1A PLUS
Recommended for students whose first language is not English AND who want additional support in English vocabulary and usage OR who have not completed high school where the primary instructional language was not English.
Three (3) Required Classes
Plan for seven (7) units total, seven (7) hours in class per week:
ESL 1A: College Composition for English as a Second Language
ESL 1s Linguistic Analysis Plus
Library 10: Information Research
What to expect:
Class taught in English
More time with your instructor
Learn advanced, academic vocabulary, grammar, structure, usage
Learn what to do when you get a paper back and are asked to revise
Strengthen reading skills and refine conversational skills in group discussions about the assigned texts
Learn research techniques, academic annotation and how to critically analyze sources
Dedicated time to explore assignment expectations
Write and revise expository essays and research papers