English as a Second Language (ESL) at the University of Minnesota

Use this page as a quick guide to the U's programs, classes, and consultations available to students, staff and faculty who are non-native English speakers. Also below are links to programs for teachers interested in pursuing licensure, certification, or graduate degrees in ESL-related fields.

ESL for students, staff and faculty

Minnesota English Language Program
The Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) helps international students prepare for academic work in an English-speaking college or university setting, but can also be used to improve English skills for business or personal reasons. Both credit and non-credit courses are offered in reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, and English for specific purposes.

Center for Teaching and Learning
Free consultations and credit-bearing classes are available for international faculty, instructional staff and graduate students who wish to master English language and U.S.-based teaching strategies. The International TA Program assists graduate students who are not native English speakers and are required by the University to take the SPEAK test and coursework to improve spoken English and learn effective teaching strategies.

Commanding English Program
This is a freshman learning community for multi-lingual students who are permanent residents of the U.S. Courses in this program include writing, editing, literature, and supplemental instruction courses that are paired with regular first-year classes (biology, sociology, humanities, etc.) in the College of Education and Human Development.

Department of Writing Studies
This department offers dedicated ESL sections of undergraduate freshman writing (First-Year Writing Program, Writ 1301) and graduate classes (Writ 5051 and 5052) as well as free, individualized tutoring for non-native speakers of English through the Center for Writing.

Programs for prospective ESL teachers

Program in English as a Second Language
The graduate program in English as a Second Language in the College of Liberal Arts offers a course of study leading to the Master of Arts. Degree holders are qualified to teach ESL to adults at the college or university level both in the U.S. and abroad, in corporate settings internationally, and in adult basic education settings in the U.S. An undergraduate minor is also available.

Second Languages and Cultures Education
The program in Second Languages and Cultures Education provides graduate programs in second language teacher education.  It offers professional development and K-12 licensure programs for ESL and foreign language teachers, as well as M.A., M.Ed., and Ph.D. programs.