Frequently Asked Questions

English Language Acquisition (ELA; formerly ABE ESL) - English classes are partially funded by the U.S. government. Each state gets money to help pay for classes that teach basic skills (reading, writing, math, and English as a Second Language) so that adults can be productive workers, family members, and citizens in the United States.

Anyone who:

• is over 18;
• is a refugee, immigrant, resident or citizen of the United States;
• lives in Washington state;
• is a non-native English speaker; and
• places into ESL Level 1-6.

We also accept students with the following visas type A, E, G, H, I, K, L, or R.

There are a few exceptions. Please email us your question esladvising@edmonds.edu.

If you are in the United States with an F, M, TN, J, or B visa, call the Office of International Programs at 425.640.1518 for information about other ESL programs.

Go to edmonds.edu/start-ela to sign up for an Advising Orientation Session.

ELA (ESL) classes cost $25 per quarter. If you can't pay the tuition, you may be able to get a waiver (permission not to pay). The waiver is valid for one quarter; then, you must reapply.

If the $25 is difficult for you to pay (for example, EBT card, WIC, unemployed), please ask your teacher or advisor for help.

To be placed at the appropriate level, all students who want to register for in-person, hybrid, or online classes must take a speaking and listening test.

Students who want only in-person or hybrid classes must take the mandatory CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) test. There are exceptions for students who are not familiar with technology, and they can be able to take a paper CASAS test. The CASAS test is used to determine a person’s skill level and aptitude. The CASAS tests your abilities in math and reading as you’ll apply them in the classroom or workforce.

Email your teacher to withdraw from the class. If you withdraw during the first 10 days of instruction, you will be refunded your $25.  Pay attention to the withdrawal and refund deadlines in the academic calendar.

No. Registration for the next quarter will happen with your teacher at the end of the quarter. However, if you stop attending or take some time off, you must restart the registration process.

Through our Services for Students with Disabilities office (SSD), resources are available for students who are deaf, blind, or visually impaired, have mobility or language issues, have learning disabilities, or have chronic health, neurological, psychological, or emotional issues. Services offered include one-on-one tutoring, test scribes, readers, recorded books, large print materials, and braille. We also help students work with outside agencies and other programs to ensure they succeed in college. Please contact the SSD Office for more information.

College communications, including financial aid, registration, graduation information etc. will be directed to your preferred email address in your ctcLink account. This may be your personal email address from any email provider (Google, Yahoo, etc.).

All new Edmonds College students will have a Triton Email account created 24-48 hours after registering. You must activate your Triton ID to access your new Triton Email account. Learn more on the Triton Email information page.

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) used at Edmonds College for online, hybrid, and web-enhanced classes. Canvas is used for assignments, checking grades, student collaboration, and more.

Learn more on the Canvas Access information page.