Welcome to the English/Reading Department
Welcome to the Cypress College English/Reading Department. Our courses provide opportunities for students to improve their reading, writing, critical thinking and study skills. Some of our courses are designed to make you successful in English 100, but others fulfill transfer-level requirements. We offer flexible course scheduling, which includes daytime, evening, Saturday and online classes.
Within the English course offerings, we teach the following specific classes:
- English 27: Basic Study Skills
- English 57: Reading and Writing I
- English 58: Reading and Writing II
- English 96: College Reading Strategies
- English 106: Critical Thinking
- English 137: College Study Strategies
If you have any questions concerning our department, or if you have questions regarding placement in our program, please contact any of our full time faculty members. We would love the opportunity to answer your questions, and we are available to meet with you in person, through email or by phone. We are here to help.
We invite you to take a few minutes to get to know us better.
Commonly Asked Questions
How do I know which English/Reading course to take?
The first step in deciding which English courses to take is completing the placement test in the Assessment Center. Based on your test results, a counselor will determine which English courses you should take.
English is my second language. I don’t think the ESL (English as a Second Language) courses will prepare me for English 100. Shouldn’t I take English courses?
ESL courses are especially designed for English language learners and lead to English 100 just as quickly as the path for native speakers.
I earned A’s in my high school English classes. Why do my placement scores indicate that I need to take English 57 or English 58?
The expectations and level of difficulty in college courses differs dramatically from high school courses. You need to develop specific skills to be a successful, independent learner.
I want to complete my English classes as quickly as possible. Shouldn’t I begin with English 100?
It may be hard to believe, but the fastest way to complete English classes is to take the courses determined by the placement test. Every student is screened by his or her instructor to verify placement. If you start at the wrong level, you will risk wasting time repeating courses.
I placed into English 100. What courses can the English/Reading Department offer me?
- English 96: College Reading Strategies will help you master college level texts and academic journals and satisfies the Cypress College reading requirement for the AA Degree.
- English 106: Critical Thinking meets the CSU critical thinking requirement and the Cypress College reading requirement, and prepares you to think critically about everything you read and hear.
- English 137: College Study Strategies will teach you to take better notes, manage your time, and improve your test scores, among other critical college success skills.
I need to take a critical thinking course. Why should I take English 106?
English 106 meets the critical thinking requirement and is perfect for students who plan to attend a CSU. It focuses on improving analytical skills and covers contemporary topics and current events as well as classic texts.
