ESL Program

Elmira College is committed to international education and offers the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. The ESL Program is designed for students who plan to attend Elmira College or other colleges and universities in the United States or Canada. The ESL Program is also recommended for those who want to improve their English skills for other personal or professional reasons.

Please note, however, that the program is currently designed to assist undergraduate students enrolled at Elmira College. Therefore, if you are interested in studying in our ESL program, you will need to apply to Elmira College as an international undergraduate student. This applies even if you already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. If your skills are too advanced for our ESL program, you may be placed in some non-ESL courses. If you are a permanent resident or citizen of the United States and you wish to attend English as a Second Language courses, browse our English as a Second Language for Community Members section.

Students will be placed in ESL courses that testing indicates are best for them and will be moved to higher level courses as soon as they are ready. Students may take one or two regular college courses along with ESL as soon as their English skills are at the right level. Several of these courses carry college credit and many of them can be applied toward a degree at Elmira College.

Elmira College also offers a three-week, summer program for international high school students in July and August. It provides a marvelous opportunity for students to improve their English language skills and experience American culture. It involves travel, Homestay opportunities, and classes at Elmira College. For program and registration information, browse our Summer ESL Program section.

Detailed information about the ESL Program and the Summer ESL Program may be obtained from the Director of English as a Second Language Program at 607-735-1928, or via email esl@elmira.edu.