Welcome to the English & ESL Department
The English & ESL Department at Los Angeles City College offers a variety of transfer-level courses in literature, composition, creative writing, and linguistics.
The Credit ESL (English as a Second Language) Program offers low-intermediate through advanced classes for non-native speakers of English.
Announcements
Calling All English Majors!
Please contact Professor John Lynch at lynchjj@lacitycollege.edu to learn more about special opportunities and events for English Majors.
Introducing Our New "Science Writing" Course!
English 103, Special Topic: “Science Writing” (Spring 2025: Class Number 21750)
This course is thematically organized on the topic of scientific writing, exploring critical thinking through the lens of the scientific method. This course helps students prepare for writing in science disciplines, and it satisfies Composition & Critical Thinking Requirement (IGETC Area 1B, CSU Area A3). Enrollment priority provided for STEM majors.
Please email Dr. Wendy Witherspoon, @email, for a permission code to enroll.
Creative Writing Associate of Arts Degree
The English & ESL Department proudly announces the launch of its Associate of Arts degree in Creative Writing this fall.
This degree is ideal for students aspiring to careers requiring creativity, artistry, and a command of language.
Composition Courses
The English & ESL Department offers the general education English courses you need to earn an associate degree as well as to transfer to a four-year bachelor's program. To learn more about English 101, 102, and 103, visit this page.
Flexible Schedules
We offer a variety of courses to meet the needs of our students:
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In-person classes at our LACC campus
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Remote synchronous classes on Zoom
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Asynchronous classes with instruction on Canvas
Students can attend face-to-face or online classes that are scheduled for every day of the week, except Sundays, and from as early as 8:00AM until 10:00PM.
Writing Support for All Students
The Writing Center, located in the Administration Building (room 100), provides assistance to all writers on campus, in every subject, at any stage of the writing process. The ESL Center in JH 318 serves students enrolled in ESL classes at LACC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All freshman students are required to take one of the following composition courses: ENG 101, ENG 101z, or ESL 110. It is recommended that students take these courses in their first semester. To prepare for transfer to a UC or CSU, students must also take either ENG 102 or ENG 103 depending on their major and/or transfer school.
We offer Associate Degrees in English and Creative Writing. We also offer Certificates of Achievement in Creative Writing and Linguistics as well as two ESL Milestone Certificates.
We offer a number of scholarship awards to students taking English or credit ESL coursework. As for employment opportunities, we encourage students with excellent core writing skills to consider applying to work at our Writing Support Center.
Our faculty includes professors who have published poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and critical work, award-winning screenwriters, and linguistics experts. Their bios are available on our English Faculty and Staff and our Credit ESL Faculty and Staff pages.
All students working on something creative or just curious about creative writing are welcome at LACC’s Creative Writing Club (CWC). Run by students for students, this is a chance to learn and grow in your writing journey. The CWC meets every Wednesday at 2:30 PM in Jefferson Hall 316 during the Fall and Spring semester.If you have any questions, email Faculty Advisor Professor John Lynch at LynchJJ@lacitycollege.edu. Everyone is welcome! No experience necessary!
The English & ESL Department facilitates a speaker series, The LACC Book Program, which brings notable writers and scholars to campus to interact with students and engage with topical issues.
Students are encouraged to submit their creative writing to The Citadel, LACC's longstanding literary journal. Since 1962, The Citadel has published creative work by students and has fostered community growth and engagement. Students are also welcome to submit original creative work to the English & ESL Department's Annual Writing Contest.
An expertise in languages, critical thinking, reading, and writing is critical to all college paths. When you pursue and complete an English or Linguistics degree a number of career opportunities become available, from advertising director, to screenwriter, to corporate copywriter, to college professor! For more information about salary, growth, and careers, visit our English, Creative Writing, Linguistics (English / ESL) and Linguistics (Modern Languages) Pathways pages.
Mission Statement
The LACC English and ESL Department is committed to educating our diverse student population and preparing them for the multifaceted challenges of today’s world through methods of critical thinking, reading and writing.
English/ESL
Contact Us
Jeffrey
Nishimura
Department Chair — English/ESL
(323) 953-2706 ext.2706
Thi Thi
Ma
Vice Department Chair — English/ESL
(323) 953-2700 ext.2700
Location and Hours
Office
Location
Jefferson Hall, Room 301
Hours
Monday: 8:00am - 4:00pm Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Online
Online Info
Hours
Monday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Tuesday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Wednesday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Thursday: 8:30am - 3:00pm Friday: 8:30am - 3:00pm
For office closures, visit the Academic Calendar.
Notes
The Department Chair usually attends meetings in the afternoon. Please call the office (323-953-4000 Ext. 2700) if you'd like to make an appointment with him.
Online Zoom Hours: Daily 8:30AM - 11:00AM; 1:00PM - 3:00PM.
Come find us on social media!