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What ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are offered at SLU?

English for Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL (no major or minor) 

SLU offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in English language learning. Through ESOL 201 and 202, students will improve academic English, learn American and academic culture, and connect with other students from all backgrounds. Students may be required to take an ESOL course due to admissions documents or the language assessment or they can elect to enroll in one of the courses to improve academic English. The ESOL Program also offers other courses such as Business and Language Skills for the Global Workplace and Language and Education in East Africa, but these are not language specific courses.

ESOL 201: Introduction to American Culture, DIV13 designation

In this course, students will focus on English for academic purposes through the study of American culture and personal identity. This course will address language used in academic assignments and class discussions, expand academic vocabulary, and practice different types of academic writing. Students will study language and culture through TED Talks, newspaper articles, and readings and work to develop critical thinking skills. Students will also be asked to reflect on their own culture and identity. Currently not offered.

Course Objectives

  • Determine central ideas or themes in spoken and written texts.
  • Write multi-paragraph text in different genres using complex grammar and sentence structure.
  • Develop a summary response paper with relevant details, concepts, examples, and analysis as part of a digital narrative project.
  • Determine the meaning of academic and content specific words and phrases.
  • Practice strategies for critical reading.
  • Expand vocabulary and collocation use.
  • Employ class and group discussion skills. 

ESOL 202: Advanced Stylistics, LANG designation

In this course, students will refine skills related to academic English and will write in different genres while exploring a contemporary conversation. Students will study the authentic use of the English language in reading and writing and will practice advanced academic English concepts and study vocabulary. The course will help prepare students to be successful in their academic career. Additional lab will be used for grammar and course concept practice. Students whose first language is not English only. This course meets one of two Diversity (DIV13) requirements. Offered fall semester.

Course Objectives

  • Increase academic vocabulary and related connections and draw out our own connections and evidence-based arguments.
  • Refine strategies for critical reading.
  • Practice articulating and finding voice through different academic genre writing.
  • Engage with a variety of written and spoken texts to examine vocabulary and collocation use, writing structure, and usage.
  • Gain expertise in narrating, describing, and arguing skills.
  • Examine authentic texts such as TED Talks and podcasts to study rhetorical moves and grammar points.
  • Share stories and identities through content writing.
  • Work on areas of writing important to each student and allow expression through bilingual/multilingual and multimodal projects.

Language, Culture, and Education Related Courses

LANG 408/EDUC 408. Critical Aspects of Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

In this course, students will critically examine teaching English abroad through project-based learning. While not an ESOL teaching certification course, students will leave this course with a fundamental understanding of and practical applications for teaching ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). The larger goal of this course is to examine trends and issues in the field, to practice writing lesson plans, and teaching those plans, and to highlight the importance of understanding culture, and learner characteristics in planning and teaching. Students will develop an understanding of the complexities of teaching ESOL/EFL and why being an English speaker is not enough of a qualification for success. Currently not offered.

LANG 206/EDUC 206/AFS 206 Introduction to Language and Education in East Africa 

In this course students will examine multilingualism, language policy, and education in East Africa with a focus on language and identity, the role of colonial and national languages in education, and national curriculums. Students will explore teaching situations and educational resources in East Africa. An in-depth look at Rwanda and Kenya will take place. Students will apply critical thinking and writing skills through a digital narrative project that combines critical theory with practical considerations.  

 Objectives include:

  • Explore the intersections of language and education in Africa through case studies of Rwanda and Kenya
  • Dissect colonial identity in languages on the African continent
  • Interrogate native speaker ideology and what it means for the African continent
  • Explore the meaning of difficult circumstances for classrooms across content
  • Create an annotated bibliography and digital narrative project which will highlight research on a topic under the larger course umbrella
  • Discuss genocide ideology, national curricula, and ideal vs. reality in language and educational issues
  • Examine the use of code-switching, language meshing, and other strategies for language use in advertising and Hip-Hop, and film
  • Gain a realistic view of East Africa and its success and challenges with language and education

ESOL 3002/LANG 3022   Business and Language Skills for the Global Workplace

The course includes a focus on skills needed for intercultural professional life; students will explore the role of language and culture in professional life to help prepare for the global workplace in which an understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity is increasingly important. Students will self-reflect on their own positionality and work to understand their position within the cultural dimension. Cultural understanding has been noted to be neglected in the study of international business even though language has a range of important effects for operation in the international arena (Marschan-Piekkari, 2014). The course will focus on projects and applicable skill building with eye not only to international corporate business but also work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, education, and other industries.

Course Objectives: Objectives include:

  • Explore the intersections of language, culture, and communication in the global workplace.
  • Dissect the importance of intercultural understanding, accents, dialects, and different ways of being and how these influence success in local and international spheres.
  • Interrogate linguistic racism and its role in reducing the workplace to a monolingual monocultural entity, which does not prepare one for the future of professional success.
  • Explore cultural variations in decision-making, negotiation, and other important workplace arenas and become skilled at case study analysis.
  • Examine intercultural business case studies and reflect on one’s positionality as relates to the study.
  • Appreciate your personal and workplace strengths and how they function in the global workplace.
  • Practice skills for effective workplace communication.
  • Examine your own beliefs about differences and diversity in the workplace and work to understand your own cultural background and workplace identity.

2- Are there tutors to help with English writing and other projects?

The WORD Studio (writing center) has tutors with specialization in multilingual writing (and are multilingual students) and provide ongoing individual support and tutoring to students whose first language is not English. Students can make appointments with these tutors by contacting rrhodes@stlawu.edu or visiting the WORD Studio in ODY Library and asking about the multilingual/ESOL tutors.

3- Can I get help with spoken English and meet new friends?

One goal of the ESOL program is to build bridges between international and domestic students. To this end, we off the opportunity to be part of the multilingual digital story map and enroll in the Language and Cultural Exchange Program (LCEP). Through the LCEP program, a student can either meet with a native/near native English speaker for weekly conversation or meet weekly with a language student to teach their own first language. The LCEP is currently not running.

4- How else can I get help with academic assignments, job and graduate essays, and other required work?

Robin Rhodes offers individual sessions so students can receive customized help for assignments and other requirements. Please make an appointment through Starfish or email rrhodes@stlawu.edu

5- Is ESOL academic support on social media?

Yes! You can follow or join us here:

  • Instagram: slu_esol
  • WeChat: wxid_vg56p5j0pbr512