Information and Study Guide for the ESL Assessment at Las Positas College
Congratulations on taking this important step toward your goal of improving your English!
The ESL Assessment is a test that we use at Las Positas College to help us choose the best ESL
courses for you. The Assessment has two parts. Each part is important. We combine your
results to choose the best level course for you:
Part 1: The CELSA (Combined English Language Skills Assessment)
 It is a 75 question multiple-choice test.
 You will have 45 minutes to complete it.
 You will take it on a paper form using a pencil to fill in your answers.
 It measures reading, vocabulary, and grammar.
 ESL Grammar textbooks and websites can help you review important material for the
CELSA.
 Grammar Express Basic and Grammar Express Intermediate are helpful textbooks.
 The English Page (www.englishpage.com) and The English Language Centre Study Zone
(www.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/) are helpful grammar websites.
 Each assessment booklet has three stories. Read each story from the beginning to
understand what the story is about. There are four possible answers for each question.
ONLY ONE ANSWER IS CORRECT. Here is a sample:
John is a student. 1.
His teacher is very 3.
A. He
B. He’s
C. She
D. Him
studies English. He 2.
A. is
B. go
C. likes
D. happy
A. work.
B. school.
C. good.
D. day.
Part 2: A Writing Sample
 You will be given a topic to write about.
 Read the topic carefully and try to respond to it.
 You will have 30 minutes to write a response.
 Write as much as you can.
 Try your best to use correct grammar.
 If you can, try to organize your response as an academic essay.
his class.