ESL Program

IELTS Score	Brooklyn Placement Test	ESL Level	Credit
4.0 or below	Under 40	ESL AO	1
4.5 (no part below 4.0)	40 – 54	ESL BO	1
5.0 (no part below 4.5)	55 – 69	ESL CO	1
5.5 (no part below 5.0)	70 – 84	ESL DO	1
6.0 (no part below 5.5)	85+	ESL EO	1
6.5 (no part below 6.0)	—	ENG3U G11	1
IELTS 6.0 (no part below 5.5) → ESL EO · IELTS 6.5 (no part below 6.0) → ENG4U G12 · Score below 6.0 → Placement Assessment required	ENG4U G12	1

IELTS Score

Brooklyn Placement Test

ESL Level

Credit

4.0 or below

Under 40

ESL AO

4.5 (no part below 4.0)

40 – 54

ESL BO

5.0 (no part below 4.5)

55 – 69

ESL CO

5.5 (no part below 5.0)

70 – 84

ESL DO

6.0 (no part below 5.5)

85+

ESL EO

6.5 (no part below 6.0)

—

ENG3U G11

IELTS 6.0 (no part below 5.5) → ESL EO · IELTS 6.5 (no part below 6.0) → ENG4U G12 · Score below 6.0 → Placement Assessment required

ENG4U G12

Program Overview

ESL Pathway

Brooklyn College's ESL program is designed to accelerate students' academic English development while they actively engage in their secondary school studies. Students strengthen communication, analytical, and subject-specific language skills across courses, supported by personalized guidance to ensure readiness for university, college, and future career pathways.

Students are placed in appropriate ESL levels and supported at each stage of their language development, ensuring steady academic progress and long-term success.

ESL Pathway Outcomes

Develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills using cross-curricular activities
Participate in extra-curricular activities and clubs
Build academic vocabulary and critical thinking skills
Learn English through real coursework, not in isolation
Receive personalized guidance and pathway planning
Transition confidently into mainstream OSSD courses
Prepare for university, college, and career success

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about ESL, EAP, and IELTS at Brooklyn College.

ESL (English as a Second Language) develops core English proficiency across five levels — ESL AO through EO. EAP (English for Academic Purposes) runs concurrently and targets the grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills needed for academic success. Together, they prepare students for the OSSD and university entry.
Placement is based on your IELTS score or the Brooklyn English Placement Test. Students with an IELTS score below 6.0 must complete the Brooklyn English Placement Assessment before enrolling. Each level corresponds to a score range and earns one Ontario credit upon completion.
Yes. Completing ESL EO places you directly into academic English at the Grade 11 or Grade 12 level, depending on your IELTS score. Students with an IELTS of 6.5 or higher (no part below 6.0) may enter ENG4U Grade 12 English without completing the full ESL stream.
An IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0 allows direct entry into ENG4U (Grade 12 English), bypassing the ESL stream entirely. A score of 6.0 (no part below 5.5) places students into ESL EO, the final ESL level before academic English.
Yes. Brooklyn College offers dedicated IELTS preparation through its Skills Track, covering Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Reading. The program includes Fundamental, IELTS-specific, and Advanced WLSR tracks depending on the student's current band score and target score.

ESL Placement Levels

ESL Pathway

ESL Pathway Outcomes

Student Life

Frequently asked questions

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