English as a Second Language (ESL)

Academic

Student

Nashville State Community College offers special assistance to students who speak English as a second language. The school offers courses designed to teach English to immigrants and internationals as well as special ESL-adapted sections of remedial and developmental program courses. Other assistance is available in the form of accommodations offered to anyone who completes the Michigan Plus Test.

All students wishing to take classes at Nashville State Community College who do not have English as their first/home language must take the Michigan Plus Test for language placement. If there are questions about an ESL student or classes, contact one of the ESL specialists on campus.

See the ESL Directory for contact information.

What types of problems could ESL students have?

• Trouble with sounds, forming words
• May not understand fast, natural speech
• May need to hear things more than once
• Have difficulty keeping up
• Feel the need to understand every word

What can we do in the classroom?

• Announce objectives and activities: make it clear when changing tasks
• Use the board to develop key points and present assignments
• Develop and maintain routines
• Present information in varied ways
• Demonstrate use of computer
• Review instructions step-by-step
• Summarize student-developed points
• Provide lecture notes
• Allow students to tape your class
• Give review sessions: use overhead transparencies

Can ESL students receive accommodations?

Yes, ESL students, who have taken ESL classes, can receive special accommodations within their college-level classes. Students may be given extra time on a test, more time to read an assignment, or more time on a writing assignment. An ESL student can receive accommodations by having the ESL Coordinator complete and sign the accommodation form. The student would then take the form to the instructor of the class the student needs accommodations in.