Bakersfield College

Bakersfield College Administration Building

EMLS (English for Multilingual Students)

The English for Multilingual Students (EMLS) program welcomes local bilingual/bicultural students seeking to improve their language skills, as well as English language learners from around the world. The program is designed to equip English learners with language skills required for academic work at the college or university level. The EMLS program also offers a transfer-level composition course that is designed to support Bakersfield College's multilingual student population.

The mission of the English for Multilingual Students (EMLS) Department is to help our students develop critical thinking skills as well as become fluent speakers, listeners, readers, and writers of the English language in order to succeed in and contribute to the academic, professional, and social settings of their choosing.

When you are ready to start improving your English, the Adult Education team can assist you with registration, enrollment, and academic support throughout your language learning journey. They are further available to answer questions regarding noncredit options, certificate applications, and other noncredit certificate programs.

We hope to see you soon!

EMLS Courses & Certificates

A list of EMLS courses currently offered at BC is available in the Bakersfield College catalog. You may be interested to also read more about the courses at EMLS Courses.

BC offers several Certificates of Competency.

For the order in which to take English Writing, Reading and Communication courses according to Placement Level see the English for Multilingual Students: Course Progression.


Contact Us!

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit us at room LA 206.

Phone Number: (661) 750-2287

Department Chair: Michael Westwood, michael.westwood@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Adult Education Liaison: Kim Collins, kim.collins@bakersfieldcollege.edu

International Student Counselor: internationalstudents@bakersfieldcollege.edu