Why study English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes (ESLA) at Carleton University?
The School of Linguistics and Language Studies (SLaLS) offers three levels of credit ESLA courses (ESLA 1300, ESLA 1500, ESLA 1900) to improve your academic English in stages. The courses have been developed to target both language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and the research and study skills that you need in order to:
- be successful in your academic studies at Carleton University
- improve your English proficiency for admission to graduate programs
- be employed in the Canadian workforce
ESLA courses are open to individuals who, after submitting an English language test score, meet the proficiency requirements (option 2 in section 4 “English Language Proficiency” of the calendar) and have been admitted to Carleton. Depending on your English proficiency and the ESL placement you receive from us, you may start your ESLA studies at the introductory, intermediate, or advanced level.
Please note:
- If your English language test score is below the acceptable level for admission to Carleton University (option 2 in section 4 “English Language Proficiency” of the calendar), you are not permitted to register in ESLA, nor any other credit courses at the University.
- ESLA is not open to native speakers of English.
Our Academic ESL courses also offer you the opportunity to start your university studies BEFORE you have satisfied Carleton’s English as a Second Language Requirements (ESLR) (section 4 “English Language Proficiency” of the calendar). This means that, as an admitted ESLR student, you may at the same time as studying ESLA:
- be a degree student studying in a degree program (undergraduate or graduate) or a special student (taking courses but not admitted to a degree program);
- complete some courses in your academic program; and
- earn credit towards your degree (see item 2.2.6 in the calendar entry).
Please note:
- Applicants for graduate studies should contact the department offering your graduate program for more information.
About our Students
Students in ESLA courses are diverse, not only in terms of their language and country of origin (international and domestic), but also with respect to their program of study and student status.
In the past three years, students from over 50 countries around the world have enrolled in ESLA courses.
Meet our Students
About our Courses
All levels of ESLA credit courses are designed to help you develop the language skills required for successful academic study and the learning strategies that can help you achieve this success.
ESLA courses:
- are small to enhance your learning experience.
- are one term in duration with 6 hours of instruction per week (plus an additional 2-hour language development group for ESLA 1300 students).
- are offered during the summer (May to August), fall (September to December), and winter (January to April) terms.
- focus on learning academic vocabulary development and language skills, such as paraphrasing, referencing, reading for main points, note taking, listening for key ideas, and defining and synthesizing relevant information.
- introduce you to the kinds of listening and reading materials, writing and oral presentation assignments, and standards of work expected for success at university.
- help you to acquire new research and study skills by completing a variety of assignments typical of first and second year university courses.
- strengthen critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills.
- familiarize you to university resources and support services and encourage you to participate in university activities.
Meet Our Instructors
Meet Our ESLA Student Ambassador
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