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The mission of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is to develop students’ English proficiency and provide visiting cultural exchange students with a transformative educational experience.

Program goals

The goals of the ESL Program are to:

  • Increase students’ English proficiency level to meet Saint Martin’s degree program requirements
  • Prepare students with academic skills necessary for success in degree programs at Saint Martin’s
  • Increase students’ knowledge of American culture and values to foster engaged and active members of Saint Martin’s community
  • Increase students’ English language skills through discussion and examination of Saint Martin’s Catholic Benedictine, cultural and personal values

ESL courses

The Saint Martin’s ESL program is centered on a core curriculum of academic English courses. In addition to these, one skills enhancement course will be offered at each level during an ESL term.

Full-time ESL students take 5 academic English courses and 1 to 2 skills enhancement courses per week (18 to 21 classroom hours per week).

ESL classes are structured at five levels of communicative competence:

  • ESL 010 Foundational Reading and Vocabulary I
  • ESL 011 Foundational Writing Skills I
  • ESL 012 Grammar I
  • ESL 013 Speaking and Listening Skills I
  • ESL 014 English Language Skills through an Introduction to US Culture I
  • ESL 020 Academic Reading and Vocabulary II
  • ESL 021 Academic Writing Skills II
  • ESL 022 Grammar II
  • ESL 023 Speaking, Listening and Presentation Skills II
  • ESL 024 TOEFL Skills and Strategies II
  • ESL 030 Academic Reading and Vocabulary III
  • ESL 031 Academic Writing Skills III
  • ESL 032 Grammar III
  • ESL 033 Speaking, Listening and Presentation Skills III
  • ESL 034 TOEFL Skills and Strategies III
  • ESL 040 Academic Reading and Vocabulary IV
  • ESL 041 Academic Writing Skills IV
  • ESL 042 Grammar IV
  • ESL 043 Speaking, Listening and Presentation Skills IV
  • ESL 044 TOEFL Skills and Strategies IV
  • ESL 050 Academic Reading and Vocabulary V
  • ESL 051 Academic Writing Skills V
  • ESL 052 Grammar V
  • ESL 053 Speaking, Listening and Presentation Skills V
  • ESL 054 TOEFL Skills and Strategies V
  • ESL 070 (Level 1-5) English Language Skills through an Introduction to Pacific Northwest Culture
  • ESL 071 (Level 2-5) English Language Skills through an Introduction to U.S. Culture and History
  • ESL 072 (Level 3-4) English Language Skills through Service Learning
  • ESL 073 (Level 4-5) Developing Your Voice: Creative Writing
  • ESL 074 (Level 3-5) Enhancing Reading Skills through an Introductions to English Literature
  • ESL 075 (Level 1-5) Communication and Conversation Skills
  • ESL 076 (Level 4-5) English Language Skills through Engaging with Contemporary Issues
  • ESL 077 (Level 2-4) English Language Skills through World Culture
  • ESL 078 (Level 3-5) English Language Skills through an Introduction to American Film
  • ESL 079 (Level 4-5) English Language Skills through an Introductions to American Music
  • ESL 080 (Level 4-5) Intercultural Communication
  • ESL 081 (Level 4-5) English Language Skills for Business
  • ESL 082 (Level 4-5) English Language Skills for Engineering
  • ESL 083 (Level 4-5) University Preparation – Bridge to Success