English as a Second Language
At Carroll, we understand the challenges with navigating a new academic environment, while also working to improve your English can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Our campus offers a variety of resources aimed to support students who are English Second Language learners (ESL). Explore the services available to make the most of your educational experience!
Various campus departments collaborate to support students needing additional English support, blending academic and co-curricular student success strategies to improve English acquisition.
Here are 10 ways that Carroll University suggests you engage with your English language skills during your time at Carroll!
- Utilize the English Conversation Partner Program in the Learning Commons. Students interested in furthering their conversational English can submit an “Academic Support Request Form” to initiate the process of seeking out a conversation partner. This program is geared toward non-academic English and offers a higher level of peer support. While traditionally this program has not been used to primarily improve academic English, it can be incredibly helpful with students practicing social interactions, bank or grocery exchanges, and more.
- Attend the Reading & Writing Lab in the Learning Commons. Utilizing the Reading & Writing Lab, along with the other tutoring sessions our Learning Commons offers for free to all students, allows you to engage with your language learning with an individualized approach. Students meet with Dr. Dolores Greenawalt (Modern Languages/Learning Commons) for weekly walk-in hours during fall and spring semesters.
- Practice your English both for classroom use and for daily conversations. From day one of orientation through your last day on campus, it is important to place efforts in practicing your English inside and outside the classroom. It can be tiring to continue learning and practicing a second (or even third!) language. Give yourself grace as you learn and remember that this work is hard! If you need a break, be sure to take it, and then place time in your schedule later to work on
your skills.
- Consider seeking support through Accessibility Services. Our Director of Accessibility Services, Tessa Timler, works with students to create individualized support plans that can offer several different accommodations, including but not limited to: extended time for testing, access to note-taker services through the office, use of GLEAN accounts for assistance with notetaking, collaboration with instructors for use of translational tools in your learning modules, and more.
- Work with your faculty advisor and CU Central to support your academic plan. At Carroll, advising takes shape in different forms. You have access to a faculty advisor in your academic program, but you also have access to a broad-lens support team that can walk you through your academic plan and how to strategize your success. Our support teams are informed of campus resources and work to determine your best point of contact on campus in addition to helping you determine your primary goals during your time at Carroll.
- Drop by the Learning Commons for peer writing assistance. Even as you progress through your English writing confidence, we always encourage you to seek out additional support for your paper- writing. We have a peer-led writing assistance program in the Learning Commons that provides you with the second check we all need for our work! Whether you struggle with writing mechanics, need help organizing your paragraphs, or simply need a read-through for potential spelling errors, this is the place for you!
- Use the Writing Resources page designed by our Modern Languages and Learning Commons teams.
- Engage in campus activities. This offers you more opportunities to practice English in an informal setting.
- Find your campus champions. Having a well-rounded support system allows you to experience the ups and downs of your degree while offering you a variety of perspectives.
- Use library services to your advantage. Librarians can help with understanding the research process, help students during the research process, and provide citation assistance.
English language support takes place across campus, but there are people that you can connect with if you are experiencing challenges.