ESL Program
The ESL Program at IU South Bend provides support classes for non-native speakers of English. Admission to IU South Bend is necessary in order enroll in courses provided by the ESL Program.
Admission to IU South Bend
Non-native speakers of English applying for admission to IU South Bend should contact the Office of International Student Services for information regarding admissions requirements.
ESL Placement Exams
Students who are admitted to IU South Bend through the Office of International Student Services are required to take ESL Placement Exams. The purpose of the ESL Placement Exams is to determine to what extent students are linguistically prepared for university work. Students requiring additional instruction are placed into ESL courses. Exam dates are given to students who are admitted to the university.
The ESL Placement Exam has three parts, often given on the same day. The ESL Placement Written Exam measures academic reading and writing. Students write an essay in response to the ideas in a reading (a few paragraphs) from a university textbook. Students have 75 minutes to read the paragraphs, then plan, write and proofread an essay. The readings contain topics to which everyone can relate. There is a choice of two readings, but students only write one response. Dictionaries are permitted. The second part of the exam is a multiple-choice reading exam. During the ESL Placement Oral Interview, students converse with an interviewer for about 15 minutes about a topic with which the students are familiar. The interviewer may ask questions or make comments during the conversation.
Results of the ESL Placement Exams are made available to staff in the Office of International Student Services and to faculty and staff advisors. Students should meet with their advisors to find out the results and schedule the required classes. Results of the ESL Placement Written Exam indicate placement into one of the following courses: ENG-W 031/ESL, ENG-W 130/ESL, ENG-W 130, ENG-W 131, ENG-G 013 or, in the case of some graduate students, exemption from the writing courses in the ESL Program. The ESL Placement Oral Interview indicates placement into one of the following course: LING-L 100, ENG-G 020 or exemption from the speaking courses provided through the ESL Program. The courses are described in greater detail below.
ESL Program Courses
The ESL Program offers the following composition courses for non-native speakers: ENG-W 031/ESL, ENG-W 130/ESL and ENG-G 013. For a complete description ENG-W 130 and ENG-W 131 (mentioned above), see the English department course list. The ENG-W 031/ESL and ENG-W 130/ESL courses offer instruction to students who need to develop the composition skills necessary for ENG-W 131, required for all undergraduate degrees at IU South Bend. Finally, a research-oriented ESL graduate-level composition course, similar to the undergraduate ENG-W 131 course, is available as ENG-G 013.
ENG-W 031/ESL PRE-COMPOSITION (4 cr.)
This course prepares ESL students for college writing at the ENG-W 130 ESL level by focusing on interpreting text and fundamental writing skills in an academic context. Students learn about the presentation of ideas, organization of ideas and revision of written work. Specific ESL writing issues are addressed. This course meets twice a week, with one class meeting in the computer lab.
ENG-W 130/ESL PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION (3 cr.)
In this course, ESL students focus on interpreting college-level readings and developing their ideas in relation to those texts in order to become well-prepared for ENG-W 131 (undergraduate students) or ENG-G 013 (graduate students). The course focuses on using summary, analysis, and synthesis to produce thoughtful, organized, theory-driven essays. Specific ESL writing issues are addressed. This course meets twice a week, with one class meeting in the computer lab.
ENG-G 013 ACADEMIC READING AND WRITING FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (3 cr.)
This course is designed for graduate ESL students. Its purpose is to develop reading and writing skills necessary to complete graduate work. Assignments are completed using materials from the students’ academic disciplines. This course meets twice a week, with one class meeting in the computer lab.
Non-native speakers may also be placed into one the following language support classes: LING-L 100 or ENG-G 020. Undergraduate students who successfully complete LING-L 100 are not required to take ENG-G 020.
LING-L 100 ENGLISH LANGAUGE IMPROVEMENT (4 cr.)
Non-native speakers of English develop skills in various aspects of English use, e.g. conversation, grammar, reading, and writing, with a focus on improving oral communication skills within the academic context. To this end, students may be required to lead small and/or large group discussions, give informal and/or formal presentations etc. May be repeated.
ENG-G 020 COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS (3cr.)
This course for international graduate students provides instruction on communication and presentation skills. The oral proficiency required to discuss and present academic materials is developed. Language skills and interaction skills are practiced while also focusing on students’ individual language needs.
Contact Information
For additional information about admission to IU South Bend, please contact the Office of International Student Services.
For additional information about the ESL Program, please contact the ESL Director:
Anne Magnan-Park, Director
English as a Second Language Program
English Department
Indiana University South Bend
P. O. Box 7111
South Bend, IN 46634-7111
574-520-4559
amagnanp@iusb.edu
Writing Tutor Tips
The following documents have been developed by the ESL Committee of the English Department at IU South Bend as a resource for instructors and tutors working with ESL student writers:
