English as a Second Language Courses (ESL)

This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

ESL Courses

This is a list of courses with the subject code ESL. For more information, see Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog.

ESL:1000 First-Year Seminar 1 s.h.

Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities).

ESL:1005 ESL Special Topics 1 s.h.

Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings). Same as CLAS:1005.

ESL:1006 Independent Study in Academic Language and Skill Support 1 s.h.

Academic language skills and resources to achieve academic success including writing, effective reading strategies, vocabulary building, listening and note taking, speech fluency and clarity; exploration of study skills and strategies; cultural expectations in U.S. academic settings including academic integrity; culture shock; time management skills; techniques to stay motivated and manage stress; overcoming barriers to student success; assignments emphasize demonstration of language skill development and self-reflection. Requirements: completion of all ESL requirements.

ESL:4006 Individual English Language Support 1-4 s.h.

Foundational English language skills and resources to achieve academic success including writing, effective reading strategies, vocabulary building, listening and note-taking, speech fluency and clarity; exploration of study skills and strategies; cultural expectations in U.S. academic settings including academic integrity; culture shock; time management skills; techniques to stay motivated and manage stress; overcoming barriers to student success; assignments emphasize demonstration of language skill development and self-reflection.

ESL:4050 Focused Academic English Language Support 1 s.h.

Academic language skills and resources to achieve academic success; overcoming barriers to student success; assignments emphasize demonstration of language skill development and self-reflection.

ESL:4100 English as a Second Language: Academic Oral Skills 3 s.h.

Speaking skills for the U.S. academic setting and society; pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary; structured opportunity to develop fluency.

ESL:4130 English as a Second Language: Academic Listening Skills 3 s.h.

Development of listening skills for students whose first language is not English; focus on listening skills necessary for success in a U.S. academic setting; academic lectures, note-taking skills, fast-paced classroom discussions. Requirements: undergraduate standing.

ESL:4180 English as a Second Language: Academic Writing and Grammar for Undergraduates 4 s.h.

Exploration of iterative steps of drafting and revising academic writing; emphasis on the need to ultimately produce writings that communicate clearly and meet required standards; process oriented; students improve writing fluency (comprehensibility and cohesion) and their ability to select from a variety of appropriate grammatical functions (at word and clausal level) to produce a fluent and accurate result to succeed in all requirements of academic writing and communication.

ESL:4200 English as a Second Language: Academic Reading Skills 3 s.h.

Increasing reading speed and comprehension of university-level writing and vocabulary; exercises, discussion, and note-taking assignments to develop critical analysis skills.

ESL:6200 English as a Second Language: Academic Writing and Grammar for Graduates 3 s.h.

Students learn how to be confident, fluent, and independent writers, and become proficient with conventions and requirements of academic writing in their respective disciplines; selection of appropriate grammatical functions—at the word and clausal level—for success in academic communication.