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English as a
Second Language (ESL)

Databases

 

Browse the Catalog

To find books in the library catalog on learning or teaching English as a second language, browse the subject headings:

 

Web Sites

  • Colorín Colorado
    Colorín Colorado is a web-based service that provides information, activities, and advice for Spanish-speaking parents and educators of English language learners (ELLs).
  • Connect With English
    This language learning site at Annenberg Media's Learner.org, offers language learning videos online. Signup is free. In Connect with English, a young woman’s story is used to teach English as a second language. Video series for college and high school classrooms and adult learners.
  • La Mansion del Ingles
    This is a totally free site, aimed at Spanish speakers, and dedicated to the study of the English language. The site content is rich in pedagogical and educational material, and includes courses, grammar, vocabulary, exercises, books, educational programmes to download and a wide and varied selection of supplementary material.
  • Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
    Offers help with common words found in informal conversation and pronunciation. Allows you to create your own dictionary.
  • Modern Language Association: Language Map
    The MLA Language Map uses data from the 2000 United States census to display the locations and numbers of speakers of thirty languages and three groups of less commonly spoken languages in the United States, illustrating the concentration of language speakers in zip codes and counties.
  • TOEFL
    The official site of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language", an Educational Testing Service program that provides the English proficiency test for international students planning to study in the United States. Included in the site are information about the test and locations where the test is administered. The test is given in Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh and at Sylvan Learning Centers.
 

Pittsburgh Region

  • Allegheny Intermediate Unit: English as a Second Language for Adults (ACCESL)
    The ESL program seeks to help any non-English-speaking person to learn American English. The program enrolls approximately 1000 students from 50 countries each year.
  • Duquesne University: English as a Second Language
    The ESL Program offers semi-intensive and intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. The ESLP also offers specially designed short-term language training for group participants through advanced-notice arrangements.
  • Echo International
    Echo International welcomes business professionals, students, spouses and anyone who is interested in learning English as a Second Language. Customized one-on-one private and group courses. Intensive and semi-intensive ESL courses. Flexible scheduling. Classes offered Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-7:00 pm, and Saturdays. Prices dependent on course length and number of students. Courses offered: American Business English, Beginner English, English for Medical Professionals, TOEFL and GMAT preparation.

  • Goodwill Educational Services
    The Goodwill Literacy Initiative (GLI) offers English as a Second Language (ESP/ESL) classes for non-native English speakers of all English proficiency levels.
  • Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
    Offers conversational English courses for adults whose native language is not English.
  • International Women's Association of Pittsburgh
    An organization for women of all ages that helps international women learn about and adjust to life in the US and Pittsburgh. They offer informal English conversation classes. They also offer a List of ESL programs in Pittsburgh.
  • University of Pittsburgh English Language Institute
    Designed for international students who want to improve their English. Also offers evening programs for part-time students, a summer language and culture program, an intensive, 5-week seminar for international students in international affairs, and a pre-MBA course.