English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) services are available to all Baldwin Wallace students whose first language is not English. These services are provided for international students as well as other BW students. ESL Sections of ENG 111 College Composition (3 credits) and ENG 131 Workshop in Exposition and Argumentation (3 credits) are offered each semester. Students in ENG 111 and ENG 131 will experience the same reading and writing instruction as native speakers, but the ESL sections allow instructors to pay particular attention to the needs of non-native speakers.

Placement into these courses is determined by an on-campus placement process conducted by experienced ESL instructors who are also Writing Specialists in the Baldwin Wallace Writing Lab. Placement testing occurs during international student orientation before the semester begins, and courses are scheduled to allow for easy scheduling and changes of placement as necessary in the first week of class. Students who have been placed into the ESL section of ENG 111 will take the ESL section of ENG 131 in the next semester unless their ENG 111 ESL instructor deems them ready for the non-ESL section of ENG 131 . They also have the option of re-taking the ESL placement test.

In addition to these courses, ESL-trained tutors are available for individual instruction, assistance with written assignments, and independent study through the English department’s Writing Lab, located on the second floor of Ritter Library. Students can sign up for ESL tutoring appointments using Appointment Plus by going to the BW Smart tab and clicking “Book Your Appointment Now”. Tutoring appointments are offered free of charge.