English As A Second Language
Resource page for students whose first language is not English.
Tutor.Com
- Tutor.com is available to all Jefferson State English, Math, and Liberal Arts students. View the Tutor.com Quick Start Guide for additional information.
- Tutor.com tutors work with students online 24/7. Students can submit their writing assignments anytime and a tutor will provide feedback and respond within 12 hours.
Skills Review
No matter what major you pursue, if you can’t express yourself clearly in writing, your grades (and confidence) will suffer. The resources below include techniques you can apply to any writing assignment for class — and even emails, resumes, and the writing you do for fun. Get started here:
- Begin with the Writing Skills Tutorial, which guides you through the writing process from start to finish. Learn strategies for coming up with original ideas, organizing them in a clear way, finding the right tone, and catching errors before you submit your work. Then use the prompt at the end of the tutorial to draft a sample essay, and review the instant feedback when you’re done.
- Build your skills further with question sets targeting the foundations of great academic writing.
- Finally, practice your new skills in your writing for class, and return to the tutorial as needed if you see a pattern in your instructors’ comments on your work.
- Core English Skills Review [PrepStep] This link opens in a new windowStrengthen your reading and writing skills, build your vocabulary, and more.
Streaming Video on College Writing Skills
- Writing EssentialsStudents who’ve had a hard time with term papers and essay questions may be shocked to learn how much their postgraduation world revolves around writing. This streaming video program shows how effective written communication is possible for anyone, even those who struggle to complete a simple fax or e-mail. Methods for improvement include gauging the needs of the reader, keeping prose short and simple, emphasizing benefits, avoiding jargon and overblown language, employing a confident yet respectful tone, and more.
- Communication EssentialsThis four-part streaming video series from Films On Demand helps college students improve their communication skills in four critical areas: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Viewers are challenged to improve their habits and aim for several concrete goals—such as the ability to actively participate in discussions and meetings, to craft effective messages in speech or text, to process and understand workplace communication, and more.
Research Assistance from your Campus Librarian
- Jefferson Campus LRCRequest assistance from the librarian at the Jefferson [CenterPoint] Campus LRC.
- Shelby Campus LRCRequest assistance from the librarian at the Shelby [Hoover] Campus LRC.
- St. Clair Campus LRCRequest assistance from the librarian at the St. Clair [Pell City] Campus LRC.
- Chilton Campus LRCRequest assistance from the librarian at the Chilton [Clanton] Campus LRC.
Process of Writing
- Writing Guide with Handbook (OpenStax)Writing Guide with Handbook aligns to the goals, topics, and objectives of many first-year writing and composition courses.
- Elements of Style, 4th EditionCall Number: OnlineISBN: 9789897782442This edition of 'The Elements of Style'details eight elementary rules of usage, ten elementary principles of composition,'a few matters of form', and a list of commonly misused words and expressions.
Formatting & Citations
Evaluating Sources
Avoid Plagiarism
- Last Updated: Sep 10, 2024 12:18 PM
- URL: https://library.jeffersonstate.edu/ESL
- Print Page