Resources for English Language Learners

Resources for English Language Learners

The British Council offers a free self-assessment to help you determine which areas of English you have mastered and which may be the focus of improvement.

Self Assessment

On Campus

IU South Bend ESL Program

In order to better facilitate class scheduling and registration, all incoming international students who place into one or more ESL classes after taking the ESL placement exam will be automatically enrolled in their prescribed ESL class(es) by the Monday before classes begin. Returning students will be pre-registered each semester in prescribed ESL coursework according to the established sequence. Students who are placed in non-ESL composition courses must register on their own or with their advisors.

Students who want to appeal their placement or adjust their schedules with regard to pre-registration for ESL course work must contact the ESL Program Director once assessment is completed.

For a complete explanation of ESL testing processes and courses, please refer to the ESL webpage

Language Resource Center

The Language Resource Center in Wiekamp Hall, Room 1005, offers language study materials in a variety of media, including books, audio recordings and videos. You can arrange to meet a language exchange partner here and trade time practicing in your native language and English.

Language Resource Center

The Writers' Room and Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE)

Schurz Library, 4th Floor
WriteWell coaching gives students the personalized, consistent attention they need to improve not only the papers they bring to the Writers' Room, but their overall skills as writers. For an entire semester, students are paired with a WriteWell coach who will design a supplemental curriculum tailored to their needs. Students meet with coaches for a combination of traditional, one-on-one tutoring and activities meant to address the specific writing challenges they face.

Academic Centers for Excellence

The Language Company

The Language Company is our on-campus partner for delivering intensive English instruction for those preparing to enter the University. You can learn more about their programs on their website.

The Language Company

Listening & Pronunciation On the Internet

Cyber Listening Lab

The Cyber Listening Lab offers an array of topics and levels at which to study. Each topic includes pre-listening exercises, listening exercises, vocabulary activities, post-listening exercises and online investigations.

Duolingo

Duolingo is a free language-learning program that includes web and mobile formats. PC Magazines rates it among the best softwares for learning a language overall, even when measured against paid programs.

BBC Learning English

The BBC has many tools geared toward improving English vocabulary and understanding proper use of slang. This website is written in "Queen's English" so spellings of some words will vary from how they are used in America.

Test Preparation

The Language Company

The Language Company here in South Bend offers onsite preparation for the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE and GMAT exams.

Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan offers test preparation course for a fee with the benefit of taking practice tests in the same location as actual tests are administered.

Test Prep Practice

This site offers insight into a variety of tests like TOEFL, MCAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, GED, PSAT and 50 other major tests.