Welcome to the Illinois ESL Program. Our mission is to support international students and scholars from across the campus to strengthen their English writing and speaking skills.
We offer courses focused on the needs of multilingual graduate and undergraduate students, visiting scholars and international teaching assistants to increase proficiency in academic composition, pronunciation, dissertation and research article writing, and presentation skills.

We are passionate about working with you and helping you achieve your professional goals here and beyond.
Placement testing

In order to take ESL writing or pronunciation, you must take the English Placement Test (EPT). In order to take ESL 508, you must take the Oral English Assessment Interview (OEAI). See these links below for more information:

 

Note that placement testing is not necessary to take ESL Advanced Graduate Electives, Courses for International Teaching Assistants (except for ESL 508), or Courses for International Visiting Scholars, Faculty, and Staff.

Course offerings

Alma Mater Spring
Undergraduate Writing
ESL 111: Intro to Academic Writing I

ESL 112: Intro to Academic Writing II

ESL 115: Principles of Academic Writing
Quad Foellinger Spring
Graduate Writing
Academic track:
ESL 511, ESL 512, ESL 515, ESL 592

Business track:
ESL 521, ESL 522, ESL 525
Campus Night Fall
Pronunciation
Undergrad - ESL 110
Grad - ESL 510
Union Campus Spring
Courses for International Teaching Assistants
ESL 504, ESL 506, ESL 508
Quad Students Fall
Advanced Electives for Graduate Students
ESL 592, ESL 593
Illinois Sign Summer
Courses for Intl. Visiting Scholars, Faculty & Staff
ESL 510, ESL 592, ESL 593