English as a Second Language (ESL)

University of Chicago Resources

• Summer English Language Institute
  English Language Institute at the University of Chicago is co-directed by the International House Office of Programs & External Relations and the Office of Graduate Affairs. The English Language Institute programs offer the opportunity for newly entering students to build English language skills

Clearinghouses

• Center for Applied Linguistics
  This is a private, non-profit organization composed of scholars and educators and it offers most of the resources previously available from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. It offers a wide range of services and materials for language educators, most of them free of charge, ranging from newsletters and digests to directories of internet resources in a wide array of language-related topics. Areas of interest include instructional methods and materials, program design and evaluation, teacher training, and assessment in the following areas: Foreign languages, English as a second or foreign language, Bilingualism and bilingual education, Psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics, Theoretical and applied linguistics, Intercultural communication and cultural education, and Study abroad and international exchange.
• National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA)
  Formerly NCBE, the National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, NCELA collects, analyzes, and disseminates information relating to the effective education of linguistically and culturally diverse learners in the U.S. It produces a weekly electronic news bulletin, Newsline, and a monthly electronic magazine, Outlook. The Clearinghouse works with other service providers to help states and local school districts develop programs and implement strategies for helping all students work towards high academic standards. NCELA offers databases such as the National Linguistic Assets Database with listings for translators and interpreters; and the NCELA Bibliographic Database including more than than 20,000 citations and abstracts.
• Kids Can Learn!
  This website, operated by the Family Learning Association, offers many of the resources previously available from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. These include news, research reports, lesson plans, sale publications, a directory of web resources, bibliographies, digests, and a Family Information Center to assist parents who want to take an active role in their children's education.

Additional Resources

• Dave's ESL Cafe
  From Dave Sperling, the site bills itself as "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" Content includes searchable address books of people, schools and publishers; discussion forums, announcements, book listings, reference tools, and information on topics such as slang, idioms and phrasal verbs.
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), from the Educational Testing Service