If you are aspiring to learn English, or if you are a UW student with an English Language Proficiency Requirement, you will find the courses that you need through the UW English Language Programs Office, which offers the for-credit courses ENGL 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 through the Academic English Program as well as individualized courses of instruction for non matriculated students.

The following list of resources is meant to give you some options and direction if you think you can benefit from additional language support. If you have an English Language Proficiency Requirement, you must first satisfy that requirement by taking Academic English Program courses ENGL 101, 102, 103*, or 104, as appropriate.

*Note that students enrolled in ENGL 103 may take a specially-designated section of ENGL 131, freshman composition, concurrently. See listings for ENGL 131 sections in the Time Schedule for details.

• The Academic English Program (AEP). The Academic English Program offers a series of courses (English 101, 102, and 103) that build from grammar and vocabulary to academic reading and writing conventions. All except for English 101 count toward fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements, although not the “C” requirement. The courses are fee-based, but may be worth it long-term. AEP also offers English 104: Academic Listening and Speaking. The AEP has a “paid tutor list” if students would like to work with someone outside of class.
• Targeted Tutoring. The Odegaard Writing and Research Center (OWRC) offers group tutoring for English Language Learners in composition courses. Targeted tutoring pairs an OWRC tutor with a group of 3-5 students who are enrolled in the same composition course. It is aimed at providing a low-stakes, collaborative learning environment outside the classroom to discuss writing strategies. For more information, contact owrc@uw.edu early in the quarter.
• ESL Studio Courses are available to any student who is taking an Expository Writing Program or an Interdisciplinary Writing Program composition course (ENGL 111, 121, 131, 281, 381, or ENGL 197, 198, 199, 297, 298, 299) and would like additional ESL support. Students sign up for a 2-credit studio course, General Studies course GEN ST 391, that meets two days a week for 50 minutes. In the studios, students build advanced vocabulary skills, focus on reading skills, and review and analyze grammar structures, focusing on how they apply to organization and produce different effects in academic writing. See the quarterly Time Schedule under General Studies for a listing of current GEN ST 391 courses.
• ESL Sections of English 131. Starting Winter 2012, EWP will pilot ESL sections of English 131 (one in Winter; two in Spring) designed to support English language learners. The sections will be optional, and will be guided by the same curricular structure and learning outcomes as all other 131 sections. The main differences will be that ELL students will be able to form a community, the course readings and assignments will be related to ELL students’ experiences, and the sections will be taught by TESOL trained instructors. See the Time Schedule listings for ENGL 131: the listings indicate which sections are available with the note "ESL STUDENTS ONLY."
• Linked English 103/131 Courses. International students who are enrolled in English 103 have the option of enrolling in a linked English 103 and 131. See the Time Schedule listings for ENGL 131: the listings indicate which section is linked with the note "CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN ENGL 103 REQUIRED."
• Academic Support Programs. Academic Support Programs offers Academic Achievement courses that focus on learning skills in the context of a credit bearing course in the sciences, humanities, or social sciences.
• English Language Programs (ELP). English Language Programs offers a wide range of language resources for students, from three to ten week intensive sessions to oral fluency and college preparation programs and online courses in academic, business, and technical English. These are fee-based and non-credit bearing courses, but for some students they might be very useful.
• The CLUE Writing Center. CLUE offers writing center support for individual writing projects, course-related study, and discussion sessions.
• Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS). FIUTS is a non-profit organization that inspires cross-cultural understanding through intercultural events, community homestays, and student leadership development. FIUTs offers a range of social and academic events, and provides international student orientation.