Additional English Language Support

Cornell University and other local organizations offer support for writing and speaking in English. Some of these resources are available only to Cornell community members, while others are available to partners, family members, and visiting scholars.

ELSO Canvas Site

The ELSO Canvas site offers a number of resources related to writing and speaking, including handouts developed by ELSO faculty, sample ELSO course syllabi, links to digital resources, and access to Turn It In, so that students can receive feedback on how effectively they have paraphrased. Any Cornell student, staff member, or faculty member may join the ELSO Canvas site.

To join the ELSO Canvas site,  click here.  

Questions about the ELSO Canvas site may be sent to the ELSO email account.

Community ESL at Cornell

Community ESL at Cornell is a conversation program, mainly for spouses of international graduate students and visiting scholars. In fall 2022, classes are being offered in a hybrid format. To learn more and to register, visit their blog.

Cornell International Teaching Assistant Program

The Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation (CTI) International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP) works with international teaching assistants (ITAs) to meet required levels of oral English proficiency for teaching assignments. The program helps ensure that ITAs have a successful teaching experience. To learn more about CTI and ITAP, click here.

English for International Students and Scholars

Offered by the Cornell School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, this program provides courses that focus on English as well as social, academic, and cultural orientation to US academic environments. The courses are non-credit, charge a fee, and are available to all (including spouses of graduate students, exchange students, visiting scholars, and post-docs). To learn more about English for International Students and Scholars, click here.

Open Doors English

Sponsored by the Center for Transformative Action, Open Doors English provides affordable, comprehensive English classes, to empower students to live fuller lives, and to build richer community connections. Classes are organized by students’ levels of English proficiency, and are available during different times of the day. Open Doors English also offers a conversation partner program. To learn more about these opportunities, visit the website (opendoorsenglish.org) or contact Hilary Boyer at hboyer.ode@gmail.com or by phone at (607) 319-5051.

TST-BOCES ESL Program

Attend Free English Classes at TST BOCES for beginner, intermediate, and advanced English students. Our classes teach students English vocabulary and grammar based on their proficiency levels and classes are adapted according to the students’  social, college, and work related goals. Classes meet all year, Monday-Friday, and are located on the 6th Floor of Tioga Place, 118 N. Tioga Street in downtown Ithaca. To sign up, email adulted@tstboces.org.

Language Expansion Program (LEP)

The Language Expansion Program (LEP), is an on-campus student-run organization of the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement that provides a unique opportunity for individuals in the Cornell community to pursue their interest in language study and to improve their speaking abilities. LEP hosts weekly Language Corners, which are held on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. in the Language Resource Center (G25 Stimson Hall), where students meet informally to practice in a relaxed environment that simulates group immersion. All levels are welcome, and students can drop by any session at any time! To learn more, click here.

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