In 1988, a longitudinal study was conducted of 1,000 students entering San Jose City College's (SJCC) English as a Second Language (ESL) Program between fall 1982 and spring 1987. Data for the study were collected from randomly selected student information profiles completed by students during ESL placement testing and from student academic records at SJCC and selected transfer institutions. The study sought to determine trends in students' age, gender, national/ethnic origin, linguistic background, place of residence within the district, length of residence in the United States, previous educational background, attendance at U.S. high schools, educational objectives at SJCC, number of semesters at SJCC, associate degree recipients, and transfer rates. Study findings included the following: (1) in fall 1981, 86% of the ESL students at SJCC were Vietnamese, with the remainder coming from 10 other countries; (2) 79% had been living in the United States for 2 years or less, 53% lived in downtown San Jose, and 84% were between 18 and 39 years old; (3) 65% spoke Vietnamese and 21% spoke Chinese; (4) 90% were refugees and 21% had had more than 12 years of education in their home countries; (5) by fall 1987, only 35% of the ESL students were Vietnamese, with the remaining students coming from 76 different countries; (6) 63% had lived in the United States 3 years or longer, and only 17% lived downtown; and (7) 24% of the entire group of 1,000 students were still continuing their studies at SJCC in fall 1987, 1.66% had earned associate degrees, and 4% had transferred to four-year institutions. A history of the ESL program at SJCC and recommendations for its improvement are included in the report. (AAC)