Northern Essex Community College is offering a fee-based Basic English as a Second Language (BESL) course for non-native English speakers who want to improve their language skills. It will be offered, beginning in May, at NECC Riverwalk, 360 Merrimack St. Lawrence.

Testing dates for admission to the program are Mondays, April 8, 22, and 29 and May 6 and 13 from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Two levels of classes will be held May 28 through July 18.

This eight-week course is designed to prepare individuals to transition into Academic English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at Northern Essex.

The cost is $150 and an additional $60 for books.

For more information, contact Marsha Parinussa Flynn, coordinator of the program at mparinussaflynn@necc.mass.edu