Resources for English as a Second Language (ESL)

SkillsTutor Program
ESL Web Sites

Many College of the Desert students are not native speakers of English.  The ESL sites listed here are specially chosen to provide instruction and exercises to help our non-native English students.  Keep in mind that new language skills are learned most quickly when you study for short periods (1/2 an hour) several times a day rather than for long periods once a week.  So make a habit of using these sites regularly to improve your grammar, usage, vocabulary, and fluency in using the English language.

SkillsTutor is a fully interactive software package available to registered COD students.  It offers instruction in reading, writing, ESL, and math.  If you are enrolled in ESL 50B, your instructor may have given you specific assignments for this software.  However any COD student is welcome to use this software to brush up on vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar, and writing skills.  Click on the link below and follow the log-in instructions on the next page.

SkillsTutor Log-In
Web Guide to SkillsTutor

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COD ESL Students' Hotlist--Developed by our own Karen Canchola, Liaison of the ASC Language Lab

Karen's links to ESL resources are used by students in the ASC Language Lab.  Everything we have listed below is on her list, plus a lot more.  An excellent resource.

The English-Zone.Com--Developed by Kaye Mallory

This is one of the best sites we know for ESL students.  Nearly all of the many exercises include quizzes and other interactive elements.  It is easy to use, and the instruction is very clear.  Dive right in!

Randal's Cyber Listening Lab--Developed by Randall S. Davis

These listening activities do not cover the lowest skill levels, but students in Non-Credit ESL,  levels III and above will find useful materials here.  There are ample instructions and several options available, plus immediate feedback on student answers to quizzes.

Better English Website--Support site for a Textbook developed by Pearson Brown

This site focuses particularly on business English and offers more than 250 interactive exercises.  The exercises are categorized for a series of specific skills.  You have to navigate through a several lists to find what you want, but the exercises themselves are generally very helpful, providing immediate response on student answers to quizzes.

Guide to Grammar & Writing--Prof. Charles Darling, Capitol Community College.

Easy to use and very comprehensive, this site is a guide to all aspects of college writing.  There is plenty of reading here, but it is all very clear and excellent examples are provided.  All lessons include exercises and/or tests and some include PowerPoint presentations to illustrate complex ideas.  The opening page provides several very long drop-down menus with lists of terms like  "adjectives" "Prepositional Phrases" or "Subordinate Clauses."  You can simply browse till you find something interesting, but it helps if you know exactly what you are looking for before exploring this site.

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