4.3

John Kinney

English As A Second Language - Northern Virginia Community College (all campuses)

4.3
Quality
2.6
Difficulty
80%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
4.3
Quality
2.6
Difficulty
4.3
Helpful
4.3
Clarity

80%

Would Retake

83

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
83 total ratings

5

58

4

10

3

5

2

4

1

6

What Students Say

The worst teacher I have ever seen at NOVA

ESL42 - 1.0 rating

He is nice but too much homework

ESL52 - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

96%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 24 grades
Most common grades:
A (17)
A+ (5)
Pass (1)
Grade Distribution
A(22)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 28 reported grades
A: 17
A+: 5
Pass: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (12)
Amazing lectures (6)
Get ready to read (5)
Group projects (5)
Participation matters (4)
Inspirational (3)
Hilarious (3)
Caring (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.29 avg change
Nov
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

42

5.0

(1)

FALL012A

5.0

(1)

41012A

5.0

(1)

ESL31

5.0

(3)

ESL33

5.0

(1)
+10 more courses
Difficulty by Course

EEL51

5.0

ESL51061

4.0

ESL32

3.0

ENG111

3.0

ESL41

2.7

Reviews (50)
5.0
2.0
ESL42
Jan 21, 2010

For me he was easy to follow. He gave good advise on my papers and was fair. He is fun in class too. I wish I took him two dayss instead of one.

5.0
2.0
ESL42
Jun 15, 2010

Good. But he only teaches ESL. I wish I could have Mr. Kinney for ENG 111.

5.0
2.0
ESL41
Dec 2, 2010

No complaints. He can make the class laugh and relaxed. Good activities.

5.0
3.0
ESL41
Jul 12, 2011

Very good teacher

5.0
3.0
ENG200
Aug 9, 2011

easy to follow and likes the subject. linguistics can be a little tricky, but he makes it REALLY clear. sometimes a little picky on homework, but is fair.

4.0
3.0
ESL41
Jan 7, 2012

He is a nice teacher but pretty fair for scores. IF u do his work you'll pass otherwise nooooooo.I had his class for fall semester and i fail his class .Because he is a good teacher and it was my bad and im taking his class again for spring.Remember You need to do your test and hw well to order to pass.

5.0
2.0
ESL51
Apr 13, 2012

he is very good teacher and helpful and u can improve a loot with him. i took esl 42 with him and then i took esl 51 cuz he is the best teacher in esl classes. i strongly recommend him for u

5.0
2.0
FALL012A
Dec 22, 2012

He is good teacher, I will give you advice that you need. I have being attending NOVA last 3 Years and no one told me what I need to improve. He is the best teacher, you need to take his class believe me!

1.0
5.0
EEL51
May 13, 2013

I have taken other ESL classes but this teacher is one of the worest one his teaching methodology is zero I have a B.A degree from other country in chemistry, I don' t recommended him at all.

5.0
1.0
ESL42
May 15, 2013

He is an excellent teacher who always has methodical ways of explaining the English language well.He may not be easy on grades and though or writing you comments that sometimes hurt your feelings!

3.0
5.0
ESL42
May 21, 2013

one of the worst teacher gives lot of homework and make 60% student fail

5.0
2.0
ESL41
Jul 6, 2013

Good class. The hybrid format is good for me.

5.0
1.0
ESL42
Jul 19, 2013

Fun teacher. Explains what you need to know!

4.0
3.0
ESL51
Dec 13, 2013

U need extra time for HW. He likes when u email him and hate if you arrive 2min late. You can improve a lot.Some parts of the hw were posted just on fridays (classes mo/we) You always need to check your email or BB to be sure about the hw. First you write the essay,then he explain what to do.Weird method. good person. do not be late. do everything!

5.0
2.0
41012A
Grade: A
Apr 5, 2014

He is good at explaining and helps you to make sure you pass the class. he does not tolerate tardiness or laziness. In class he likes to stay on topic and not talk a lot about other topics not related to the class. overall I would recommend his class.

5.0
3.0
ESL41
Apr 29, 2014

He is great! My writing improved!

5.0
1.0
ESL42
Grade: Pass
May 20, 2014

Interesting class discussions. I was never bored.

5.0
1.0
ENG200
Grade: A
Jul 17, 2014

Professor K is very knowledgeable, intuitive, and funny. He gives homework handouts after every class to get you prepared for the test. For the final paper, you can send the draft to him for suggestion. I got an A on my paper instead of a C by doing that.

5.0
1.0
42
Aug 4, 2014

Professor Kinney was an excellent teacher. I am glad I took his class last semester. If you want to learn! take his class. Very resourceful and always gives hand outs for extra materials to learn. Very understanding as well. We all have family emergencies and he is the one professor didn't give me a hard time about pressure on my work.

5.0
3.0
ESL52
Aug 22, 2014

I took professor Kinney class about 3/4 years ago since then I took eng 111, 112 and 205. He thought me more than any of those other classes. Very kind, helpful and clear.

3.0
3.0
ESL32
Grade: B+
Jan 2, 2015

This was one a very peaceful class, I do not have any complain. He gives I will say the average homework, but at the same time he doesn't get crazy if you do not doit, at the end he grate the homework but he is very kind. The same with the test and he is kind of funny too. I really recommended him.

3.0
2.0
ESL52
Grade: A
May 7, 2015

Not bad. Not very interesting, but do the homework and you pass. Lectures are long, but do have breaks. Easy.

5.0
2.0
ESL41
Jul 7, 2015

He is the best teacher!!! Professor Kinney has passion for his classes. very helpful and kind. I strongly recommend him!

5.0
2.0
ESL31
Grade: A
Nov 15, 2015

If you want to ask anything, don't hesitate to ask him or email him. He will answer or reply to you immediately. You will have a tons of assignments but it will help you improve your E very quick. I will take his class again if I have a chance.

5.0
3.0
ESL31
Grade: A
May 16, 2016

His class is fun.

1.0
1.0
ESL42
Jun 20, 2016
Wouldn't take again

Do not take class with him, easily gets annoyed if you challenge him. He is only interested to be seen as a tough teacher but he is out of touch. unnecessary pressure and work load just for no reason. He does not test you in Academic vocabularies instead only fiction vocabularies test. The worst teacher I have ever seen at NOVA .

5.0
3.0
ESL42
Grade: A
Jun 29, 2016
Would take again

A great teacher who gives you all the tools to pass the class.

5.0
3.0
ESL42
Grade: A
Jul 30, 2016
Would take again

Great teacher. He will give you the help you need!

4.0
3.0
ESL42
Dec 15, 2016
Would take again

If you just do the assignments he gives, you will be fine.

Get ready to read
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
ESL51
Grade: Audit/No Grade
Jun 19, 2017
Would take again

The most amazing professor at NOVA. Highly knowledgeable along with being humorous. Take him, you won't regret. :)

Gives good feedback
ACCESSIBLE OUTSIDE CLASS
Amazing lectures
4.0
4.0
ESL51061
Grade: A+
Nov 16, 2017
Would take again

He is a good professor, gives amazing lectures but he gives a lot of homework.

Tough Grader
Participation matters
SO MANY PAPERS
5.0
1.0
ESL52
Grade: A
May 22, 2018
Would take again

Professor Kinney is amazing, he is so funny, he makes you relax and enjoy the lectures. Gives good feedback with fair grading. He always makes sure you understand the lesson before he move to the next lessons. I took with him ESL 41 and 52. I learned a lot with summery writing an essay. take his class you will enjoy his lectures and learn a lot.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Inspirational
2.0
4.0
ESL52
Grade: Rather not say
Dec 22, 2018
Wouldn't take again

He is nice but too much homework. Tell us to write too many papers in 8 weeks class. Need to work hard.

Tough Grader
LOTS OF HOMEWORK
BEWARE OF POP QUIZZES
4.0
4.0
ESL41
Grade: A
Dec 22, 2018
Would take again

Very understanding and very clear. You will know what you need to do.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
GROUP PROJECTS
5.0
3.0
ESL31
Grade: A
Apr 15, 2019
Would take again

He is really great! You will really like him.

Gives good feedback
Group projects
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
ESL52
Apr 18, 2019
Would take again

He will work with you if you need help. He understands the needs of international students. Your best choice!

Gives good feedback
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
3.0
ESL51
Grade: Not sure yet
Jun 20, 2019
Would take again

He knew what students need to improve their skills. He also gave clear feedback to your essay, so you can revise it and get a better grade. Get ready to read packet and spend more time for homework which is a little bit heavy. But at the end, you will realize your writing skills much better than before. Take him if you take your studying seriously!

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Amazing lectures
5.0
2.0
ESL33
Grade: A
Dec 18, 2019
Would take again

A very respectfull Professor. I highly recommend him for any classes. I enjoyed being in his class. He always comes with a very clear criteria and very fresh and most updated materials.

Respected
Inspirational
Amazing lectures
5.0
1.0
ESL51
Grade: A
Dec 26, 2019
Would take again

This professor is funny, hilarious, respectful towards others cultures and an amazing professor and person. I did good in his class. Get ready for a lot of reading but trust me,he makes the class fun and interesting. It is a relaxing class and you will learn a lot in this class. He always tries to put students in groups so they can communicate.

Group projects
Beware of pop quizzes
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
ESL24
Grade: A+
Apr 21, 2020
Would take again

This was a great class. You will improve your speaking for sure!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Hilarious
5.0
2.0
ESL51
Grade: A
Apr 28, 2020
Would take again

Will go out of way to help. Gives alot of feedback on writing. The class is great. He follows up with you!

Gives good feedback
Accessible outside class
Caring
5.0
2.0
ESL24
May 3, 2020
Would take again

You won't regret taking his class. Very clear.

Inspirational
Caring
4.0
2.0
ENG200
Grade: A
Nov 23, 2021
Would take again

Coursework seemed intimidating but it was not bad overall. Minimal teaching happens so you have to make sure youre learning the correct info. Exams were easy and multiple choice, final was the hardest but still easy. If youre interested in Linguistics, take this class and take Professor Kinney.

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Participation matters
5.0
2.0
ESL51
Grade: A+
May 20, 2022
Would take again

If you want to improve your writing in English, take his class. Get ready to write essays (it is not that hard since he is not a tough grader). He also gives clear and good feedback for every essay you write.

Group projects
Gives good feedback
Respected
2.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Jun 10, 2024

Professor is nice, but I would not recommend him to my worst enemy. too much homework for 3 credit class. flexible with dates and understandable.

Tough grader
Get ready to read
Lecture heavy
5.0
3.0
ESL52
Grade: A+
Jul 15, 2024
Would take again

Really interesting reading and class discussions. Fun assignments that connect to the real world.

Group projects
Amazing lectures
Respected
1.0
5.0
ESL51
Grade: F
Aug 5, 2025

Worst ESL class experience. Lectures like AI bot. He rarely answered questions. He was also a tough grader. I had an emergency and missed some assignments. He said I could submit them late, but after I completed the final exam, he never graded them and ended up failing me. which also impacted my financial aid and messed up my next semester.

Tough grader
Lecture heavy
Test heavy
5.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A
Aug 21, 2025
Would take again

He lets students write about what they are interested in. That was new for me at NOVA. I liked that.

Clear grading criteria
Gives good feedback
Online Savvy
3.0
4.0
ENG200
Grade: A
Dec 15, 2025

Had this guy for Linguistics. He was okay, but a tough grader for that class. Also the book he uses for ENG 200 specifically is useless at times. So if I couldn't rely on the textbook or the professor to explain things well for specific topics. Again not a really bad professor but maybe a poorly designed course. Beware if you ever take linguistics.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Lots of homework
4.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A
Dec 21, 2025
Would take again

Very nice class! I liked the projects and class discussions.

Group projects
Gives good feedback
Hilarious
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

96%

Textbook Required

50%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

95% confidence
Based on 24 grades
Most common grades:
A (17)
A+ (5)
Pass (1)
Grade Distribution
A(22)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(1)A-/B+(1)
Based on 28 reported grades
A: 17
A+: 5
Pass: 1
B+: 1
Common Tags
Gives good feedback (12)
Amazing lectures (6)
Get ready to read (5)
Group projects (5)
Participation matters (4)
Inspirational (3)
Hilarious (3)
Caring (3)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.29 avg change
Nov
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

42

5.0

(1)

FALL012A

5.0

(1)

41012A

5.0

(1)

ESL31

5.0

(3)

ESL33

5.0

(1)
+10 more courses
Difficulty by Course

EEL51

5.0

ESL51061

4.0

ESL32

3.0

ENG111

3.0

ESL41

2.7

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