There are no foreign language requirements for admission. The Community College of Rhode Island offers two programs in English as a Second Language. The first program, offered by the Office of Community Services, is designed to help non-native speakers develop basic communication skills in the English language. The second program, offered by the English Department, is designed to help students master the cognitive, academic English needed to pursue degree programs taught in English. The Community Services ESL program consists of non-credit courses developed in response to community needs.
Placement testing is utilized to organize homogeneous groupings.
Both of these courses meet for six hours a week for a semester. The courses are scheduled at the same time slots so that students can be placed in one or the other depending on their level of proficiency. Successful completion of ENGL 1080 or equivalent preparation as measured by a placement test is a prerequisite. This class meets for three hours a week during a semester and serves as the composition course for non-native speakers. The course meets for three hours a week for a semester.