Resources & Support for ESL/ELL College Students

Glossary of ESL Terms

When it comes to ESL training, courses, and related terms, the many abbreviations and definitions may look like alphabet soup. Here’s a glossary to clear up confusion.

ESL

ESL, or English as a second language, refers to the programs and act of teaching students who aren’t primary English speakers. These programs are typically for learners who reside in an English-speaking location or country. ESL programs tend to focus on breaking down language concepts and rules and integrating them into common school subjects such as science, mathematics, and history.

EFL

The meaning of EFL, or English as a foreign language, is very close to ESL. The difference here is that students are learning in a country where English is not the primary language. EFL classes may follow more traditional structures, where students learn through increasingly complex grammatical structures. This is largely because EFL students have fewer opportunities to practice English outside the classroom.

ESOL

ESOL stands for English for speakers of other languages. This term is most commonly used to indicate ESL programs in K-12 classrooms, though it can apply to adults and college students as well. ESOL focuses on developing English skills primarily through speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

ELL

An English language learner, or ELL, is a student whose English is limited but who is in the process of developing their skills. This term is commonly used in both general and ESL classrooms to refer to K-12 students and adult nonnative English speakers who are actively learning.

ELP

ELP, or English language proficiency, is the level at which a student can use and comprehend English. Teachers and curriculum developers use ELP when determining skill level and creating learning materials for ELLs.

ESP

When ESL students learn English in the context of classes focused on a particular topic, profession, or academic field, this is ESP, or English for special purposes. If students who are native German speakers are preparing to attend architecture school in the U.S., they may be in a math or design course that includes ESP instruction.

IELTS

IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is a widely recognized test for students planning to live or study in a country that primarily speaks English. IELTS scores are often used by employers, immigration bodies, university admissions, and others to determine a student’s level of comprehension in English.

LEP

LEP stands for limited English proficient. It refers to students with a level of English comprehension that’s lower than what they need to succeed in English-only classes. These students are fluent in one or more other languages but don’t have comparable speaking, writing, reading, or comprehension skills in English.

Language Fluency

Fluency refers to one’s ability to express themselves using spoken or written words with ease and accuracy. Language fluency is measured by one’s ability to use expressions and pauses at a common speed when speaking. Fluency is also concerned with the speaker’s confidence level with a language.

Native Language

Native language, also known as L1 or first language, refers to the language one grew up speaking. This may be what the person spoke in their family or their locale. It is usually the first language a child experiences, but it’s possible for one to claim more than one native language.

Primary Language

For those who speak more than one language, the primary language is the one they prefer or the one in which they are most fluent. Some people consider their primary language to be the one they use most in school, work, or home. In this way, one’s primary language will not always be the same as their first or L1.

TESOL

TESOL, or teaching English to speakers of other languages, indicates a program that’s designed to prepare teaching professionals to provide English instruction to ESL students. Teachers in TESOL study second language learning theory and the best ESL pedagogical practices.

TOEFL

TOEFL, or test of English as a foreign language, is an exam that evaluates a student’s ability to use English in a classroom or academic setting. More than 160 countries and 11,500 academic institutions accept TOEFL scores. The exam covers four skills: reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

• Fun English Designed by award-winning educators, Studycat’s Fun English app best serves 3- to 8-year-olds. The app features 191 lessons with practice activities in reading, grammar, pronunciation, and spelling.
  
• English Media Lab This site includes puzzles and games for ESL learners, including interactive crosswords and pronunciation exercises. The site has K-8 math and science video instruction tailored for ESL learners. Students of all five skill levels take online quizzes about what they’ve learned.
  
• Kids Picture Dictionary App ESL students can take advantage of this app’s alphabetical list of picture flashcards to build vocabulary. It has over 650 flashcards paired with audio recording features so students can record themselves speaking each vocabulary word and check their pronunciations against the app.
  
• Starfall This site features dozens of games for ELLs who are in the beginning stages of English language acquisition. The games are conveniently divided into modules for prek/kindergarten and grades 1-3 students. These highly participatory learning exercises include nursery rhymes, sing-alongs, math songs, and a talking library.

• UniLang Forums The UniLang community consists of a large message board forum with dozens of threads, many of which are dedicated to ESL learners. Students check out discussion threads on pronunciations, study tips, specific language skills, and good writing habits.
  
• ESL Reddit Forum With more than 105,000 members, the ESL forum on Reddit serves as one of the most active on the internet. Students join the forum for free, find links and recommendations for ESL learning tools, and post questions for other users.
  
• Dave’s ESL Cafe In addition to a “find a teacher” feature, the cafe includes active discussion forums. Students find dozens of threads, many of which offer ESL discussions based on location/country of origin. There’s also a dedicated thread for new users so they can get up to speed and take advantage of all the site has to offer.

• Culips ESL Podcast This podcast is dedicated to helping ESL learners improve. Listeners receive coaching in learning English idioms, new study tips, and practicing pronunciations.
  
• Luke’s English Podcast This award-winning podcast boasts more than 740 episodes. The podcast is entertaining while offering stellar ESL tips and instruction to help learners build robust vocabularies. There are also transcripts for each episode to help listeners follow along.
  
• FluentU Podcast List Designed specifically for ESL students, this list of 17 podcasts comes with transcriptions to help learners follow along. Many of the podcasts encourage active participation from listeners, with reading and pronunciation exercises.

• Skooli ESL students find tutors who are separated by academic subject and grade level. Learners choose from coaching in math, the humanities, science, and business.
• English Tutoring Online (ETO) ETO offers remote classes for ELLs ages 3-18. Students take advantage of up to five classes per week during the school year. ETO also offers summer intensives and courses designed for winter holiday breaks. These intensives usually require 5-25 hours of work per week, depending on the program.
• SuperProf This site offers some of the easiest access to online ESL tutoring. With over 4,000 online tutors in the U.S., ELLs can find a tutor that can meet their language learning needs and desired learning styles.
• ESL Tutor ESL Tutor is a great resource for students of all ages and skill levels looking for tutoring. The site includes listings for in-person and online tutors. While students must pay for the tutoring itself, it’s free to sign up and browse options.

• Memrise This free language learning app was created by ESL experts and instructors. Using exercises and mnemonic methods, learners can quickly remember new English vocabulary words. The app boasts more than 60 million learners since its launch and works on phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.
• Busuu Adults and college students will enjoy this ESL smartphone app, which features dozens of exercises for all skill levels. Areas of instruction include grammar, writing, conversation skills, and pronunciation. The app also incorporates an offline mode, which is good for college students who travel or commute without reliable internet or wifi access.
• SpeakingPal Using conversational video clips with lifelike scenarios, SpeakingPal helps ESL students build on foundational English skills. Learners also enjoy the voice recognition feature, which allows the app to provide feedback on users’ word choices and pronunciations. With SpeakingPal, it’s easy to track your progress as you move through levels of ESL instruction.

• Sacred Heart Online ESL Program Sacred Heart offers this noncredit ESL program entirely online. Classes are asynchronous and fit into the busiest of schedules. The school offers four levels of instruction; incoming students take a placement test to determine their entry level.
• ESOL Courses Online These online courses are split into listening, vocabulary, and grammar learning modules. Students take advantage of exciting learning tools such as ESL learning through popular music and songs. ELLs choose classes from any of its six skill levels to quickly find material that meets their educational needs.
• Keystone Academic Courses This convenient list of ESL programs, offered remotely through universities and colleges, includes shorter intensive programs and regularly paced programs so students can work them into their busy schedules or holiday breaks.

• EdX.org TOEFL Test Prep Online students enjoy remote access to this six-week program. Expect to spend 2-4 hours per week preparing with these self-paced materials. While the main service is free, students have the option to upgrade their membership for additional learning features.
• ETS.org TOEFL Prep Materials ETS, which administers the TOEFL exam, offers free self-paced practice tests. The site also features free downloads with practice questions in listening, speaking, writing, and reading.
• IELTS Prep These prep materials for the IELTS come from the British Council. Here students find detailed information on the structure of the exam, prep courses, and free online practice exams. The site also offers live group coaching sessions with experts and one-on-one tutoring.

• The Center for Global Education For students planning on attending an educational institution in the U.S., this site offers excellent resources. You’ll find information on financial aid, visas, and immigration. You’ll also get access to guides for student-athletes, cultural competency, and U.S. laws.
• EducationUSA For international students interested in learning about student life in the U.S., look no further than this extensive site. You’ll find tips on how to locate services on or near your campus, information on applying for a student visa, and a list of school rankings. Most importantly, the site includes a search engine to help international students find educational counseling services.
• Boundless Schools-How to Apply Are you an international student who’s concerned about applying to colleges in the U.S.? From choosing a college and applying for a visa to financial aid, Boundless offers great advice for international students who want to make sure they have all their bases covered.

Most colleges offer lots of resources on campus for ESL students, but sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. Who should be your first point of contact? Is it better to get help in person or online? Do you have to officially enroll in a program?

First, bear in mind that most colleges and universities offer ESL student support services free of charge. These are included in your tuition and fees, so there’s likely no additional cost to you. Check for offices on campus that have titles like student support services, international student center, writing center, or tutoring center.

Writing centers on campus are one of the most likely places to find ESL resources. These centers employ writing experts and graduate students to help students with a variety of academic challenges—especially writing-heavy assignments. While you’ll still need to do all the work on your own, the writing experts and tutors at campus writing centers can make sure you’re handing in your best work.

Schools may have dedicated programs to help ESL students with challenges they face or to simply help ELLs further develop their English skills. For example, the University of California San Diego’s English-In-Action Conversation Program provides ELLs with conversation partners for 1-2 hours each week. Other on-campus examples include Tennessee State University’s Intensive English Center, Binghamton University’s English Language Institute, and East Los Angeles College’s English Club and ESL Club.

If you’re having trouble finding dedicated ESL resources or student clubs, check with your academic advisor or international student center. Also, be sure to ask around school to see if your fellow ELL students have found services they feel are beneficial.

• Intercambio Classes Online and in-person classes are available through Intercambio on seven skill levels. In-person classes take place in Boulder, Colorado, while remote options are available to adult learners nationwide.
• Topica Native This organization caters to ELLs from Southeast Asia, offering online students access to more than 2,000 teachers who help adult students improve their conversational English.
• ESOL Courses for Work If you’re looking for ESL lessons that are specifically designed for working adults, check out ESOLcourses.com. This site helps you better understand English communication in the workplace, as well as common documents that employees encounter while applying for jobs and learning about company safety protocols.
• LINCS Learning Center LINCS connects you to free online learning resources that focus on helping adult ELLs learn to read, apply for jobs, gain U.S. citizenship, and tackle academic subjects like science and math.
• ImmigrantInfo.org This site connects adult ELLs with local resources and ESL classes. Users also find information on immigrant legal services, housing resources, care for people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ resources, and more.
• USALearns.org This site offers free online ESL classes for beginner and intermediate adult learners. You’ll also get information on becoming a U.S. citizen and preparing for a naturalization interview.
• English in Action With individual tutoring and small-group workshops, English in Action has been helping adult ESOL students further develop their writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills since 1994. In-person tutoring takes place in Colorado, but the organization offers Zoom classes and office hours for out-of-state English learners.
• Region 11 Instructional Services For adult English learners residing in Texas, this organization offers free ESL classes in Fort Worth and the surrounding counties. Some classes are dedicated to learning English for adults in the workplace, developing reading skills, and improving conversation skills.

• Community College Classes for Adults The American Association of Community Colleges offers this free community college finder. With over 1,200 community colleges in the U.S., adult ESL learners can typically find one in their area with on-campus English classes.
• ESL Directory This database includes information for more than 1,000 ESL schools around the globe. Adult ESL students locate classes in their area by conducting a search in their state or city.
• Literacy Mid-South This organization provides in-person English tutoring for adults (typically those who read at a 6th-grade level or lower). One-on-one tutoring services are available for ESL adult learners in the Memphis area or online. Students pay a $10 one-time fee for 1-2 tutoring sessions per week.
• TakeLessons In-person and online ESL tutors are available for adults through TakeLessons. Lessons cost as little as $15/lesson.
• Berlitz Private Instruction Berlitz offers in-person ESL lessons for adults at learning centers in D.C., Maryland, Florida, New Jersey, and New York. Remote ESL tutoring is also available.
• ABC Adult School This institution helps you prepare for a job, citizenship interview, and college-level learning with in-person adult ESL tutoring services. The campus is in Cerritos, California.
• CUNY Adult Literacy/High School Equivalency/ESL With 14 campuses across New York City, CUNY offers easy in-person access to ESL classes for adults living in eastern New York. The program serves more than 10,000 students per year in conjunction with the New York State Education Department.
• Belmont United Methodist Church Local churches, like this one in Nashville, Tennessee, often offer ESL classes for adults. Classes at Belmont United Methodist are offered from September through May and cover seven skill levels.
• City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) ESL Classes CCC offers free ESL classes, along with professional certificate and citizenship classes, for adults living in Illinois. Any student age 18 or older can participate. Currently all coursework is online.

Know your surroundings

• ESLteacherEDU.org Teacher Training and Degree Programs ESL teachers are in demand in U.S. public schools. Prospective preK-grade 12 teachers in public school settings need ESL credentials; this site offers a detailed look at graduate and undergraduate programs.
• American College of Education (ACE) Master’s Program For ESL teachers looking to take their skills to the next level, ACE offers one of the top master’s programs. Consider its MEd in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education, which takes only 16-17 months to complete.
• ColorinColorado.org-What ELL Students Need to Know This guide focuses on helping current ESL teachers better serve students preparing for college. It offers tips on boosting morale, building on students’ strengths, and assisting ESL learners in exploring the differences between college programs. There’s also a section on preparing ESL students for standardized tests and college entrance exams.
• Bridge Universe-Professional Development for ESL Teachers Looking for ways to bolster your resume as an ESL teacher? Bridge Universe offers information on career development opportunities and strategies, including TEFL/TESOL certification, specialized certificates, workshops, educator-to-educator networking, and online conferences.

Materials and Lesson Plans for ESL Teachers

• Busy Teacher For teachers looking for ready-made assignments and worksheets for ESL students, Busy Teacher is a great resource. Find quick reads on developing fun games for the classroom and how to use participatory learning in ESL classes.
• ESL Teen Stuff From online learning tools and printable worksheets to PowerPoint slides and PDF textbooks, ESL Teen Stuff and ESL Kid Stuff is a membership-based service that can save you hours of ESL lesson preparation time. Materials are available for beginner to advanced learners, so you know you’ll be able to find skill-appropriate lessons when you’re in a pinch. Members pay $34-$49 per year.
• ESLSpeaking.org-Games for Teenagers This site offers great tips on keeping ESL learners engaged in the classroom. Teachers can use resources available on the site or sign up for the mailing list. The weekly list delivers more than 40 games and exercises to help you get less-than-enthusiastic ESL students excited to read, write, and speak English.
• ESL Library This subscription service comes with more than 1,000 lesson plans for ESL teachers. The $145-$180 per year subscription comes with lessons at seven skill levels. Materials are easy to access and broken down into helpful categories such as English in business, young learners, adult literacy, holidays and travel, and everyday English.

• Office of Civil Rights School systems in the U.S. have civil rights obligations to ESL students and limited English proficient parents. Learn more about school-to-parent communication requirements, discrimination, and equality in education.
• ESL-Languages.com-Courses for Families This site offers information on study abroad programs for ESL students and their families. Parents can set up 1- to 4-week trips for themselves and their ESL children ages of 5-17. Five study abroad destinations are available: Noosa, Australia; Brighton, England; London, England; St. Julian’s, Malta; and Jersey, England.
• Understood.org-ESL Myths Parents of ESL students may be worried about things they’ve read or heard about student experiences in the U.S. public school system. This site addresses several myths about ELLs and special education students and offers fresh perspectives on how to deal with challenges children might encounter in the classroom.
• Lisa Academy Resources for Parents For parents with limited English skills, transitioning to life in a primarily English-speaking location, especially with young children, can be challenging. This site includes links to journal articles and sites that focus on helping parents prepare for this transition and become more involved in their child’s schooling.
• Ideas and Resources for Parents of ESL/ELL Students If you’re looking for some materials to provide your ESL learner with extra help at home, TeachersFirst.com has you covered with games and activities that build children’s English language skills.
• YourDictionary-ESL Parents YourDictionary offers quick tips for parents of ESL students. These methods focus on helping parents motivate their students, get them prepared for class, and communicate effectively with teachers.
• ColorinColorado.org This site includes a “For Families” section with extensive information for parents of ESL students. Entries in this section include tips for engaging young and teenage ESL students in learning at home and how to take advantage of local resources and libraries.