Cuesta College's English As a Second Language
Program in High Demand

Cuesta College’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program has had a 10% increase in student enrollment this semester. This increase has been attributed to expanded ESL outreach in the community, word of mouth from current students who are happy with the program and the distinctive structure of the program.

English as a Second Language programs prepares students for success by enabling them to participate more fully in the English speaking world, creating even more opportunities for students.

The Cuesta College ESL program is such a success because of people like Estella Vazquez, ESL Outreach Coordinator and Margarita Ramirez, North County ESL Recruiter. Their personal and professional efforts have been instrumental in steering this program toward success. These efforts include numerous radio interviews, personal visits to local businesses, places of work, churches, public libraries and health centers.

The fall 2006 semester has had more student enrollment in the ESL program than ever before. There was such a demand for the ESL program this semester that more classes had to be added to accommodate the students. At the San Luis Obispo campus, an additional Level One class was added as well as a vocational non-credit ESL class. The North County campus added one more class, but still has over 100 students on the waiting list for the program. “There is a shortage of ESL instructors on the Central Coast,” said Ramirez. “We would have added more classes if we had someone to teach them.”