Resources for English Language Learners
Take a moment to review the charts available on this website to help you determine which areas of English should be your focus.
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 offers language study materials in a variety of media, including books, audio recordings and video recordings.
The Writers' Room and Academic Center for Excellence (ACE)
ACE offers FREE drop-in tutoring in many courses as well as guidance on study strategies. The Writers' Room is dedicated to assisting students with proper writing. Tutors are available to assist with individual papers or classes, while Coaches are available to assist students over the course of an entire semester.
The Language Company
Located in the Administration Building on the IU South Bend campus, The Language Company: South Bend (TLC-South Bend) provides intensive English training for undergraduate and graduate students on the IU South Bend campus.
An accent improvement software available for use in the Nursing Department. Practice words and phrases from “Hi” and “pain” to “We suspect subacute bacterial endocarditis.” and “A cervical chordotomy was done for intractable pain.” Contact Marta Makielski at firstname.lastname@example.org to make an appointment to use the software.
Listening & Pronunciation On the Internet
This website features the opportunity to practice English intonation and rhythm. Visitors can listen to the recordings made by others practicing their English or try making a new recording.
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.
American English Pronunciation Practice
This site gives listeners the chance to practice distinguishing between similar sounding word pairs, such as seventeen/seventy, by taking interactive quizzes.
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.
Testing and Educational Resource Center (TERC)
TERC offers free electronic study guides and preparatory tools for numerous exams, such as the TOEFL, GRE and GMAT.
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.
South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) offers free adult education courses to individuals in immigrant status (i.e. legal permanent residents, asylees, refugees, etc.). F-1 and J-1 students are NOT eligible for these classes. For more information, phone Joyce Juarez at 574-283-7564 or 574-283-7505.