Resources
For Students of SMU
- Materials are available for self-study by SMU students for the purpose of improving your pronunciation, listening, vocabulary and grammar skills. Feel free to browse the PONI on-line catalog for information on any of these materials.
- ESL students of SMU are matched up through the Conversation Buddy Program with a native English speaking SMU student to practice their listening and speaking skills in an informal, one-on-one setting outside the classroom. This program is made available at the beginning of each fall, spring and summer semester.
- Contact SMU’s International Center for information on various services and resources available to SMU international students (see International Student Handbook).
- Ask the "ESL Grammar Doctor" a language question by filling out the online form.
- A special collection of ESL Self-Study Materials intended for individual student use is located at the Fondren Library Information Commons.
For Educators
SMU's Simmons School of Education offers three forms of Bilingual/ESL Teacher Education: ESL Specialization, Bilingual Specialization, and Master of Bilingual Education programs. Please send an e-mail to teacher@smu.edu for more information on these programs.
TOEFL/IELTS
Visit TOEFL for more information about the Test of English as a Foreign Language, and IELTS for more information about the International English Language Testing System. Although SMU does not offer official TOEFL or IELTS testing at this time, TOEFL Test Preparation is available at SMU.
SMU SERVICES
Graduate Writing Center, Fondren Library Red 312 (two consultants available by appointment, 30-minute sessions)
https://www.smu.edu/graduate/CurrentStudents/Graduate-Writing-Center
Fondren Library Graduate Student Services
https://www.smu.edu/libraries/fondren/services/grad
Fondren Library Workshops & Events
https://www.smu.edu/Libraries/news
Graduate Professional Development Workshops, SMU Graduate Studies
https://www.smu.edu/graduate/CurrentStudents/ProfessionalDevelopment
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
https://www.smu.edu/Provost/CTE/Services/NCFDD
Writing Center, Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC) [Undergraduate only]
https://www.smu.edu/Provost/SASP/WritingCenter/ForESLWriters
Student Academic Success Programs (SASP) Services [Undergraduate only]
https://www.smu.edu/Provost/SASP
ONLINE RESOURCES
International Teaching Assistants
ITA Manuals & Videos
https://www.smu.edu/Provost/CTE/Programs/TA_Training/TAResources
https://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-21g-001-the-user-friendly-classroom-spring-2016/videos
https://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-21g-001-the-user-friendly-classroom-spring-2016/assignments
https://cft.vanderbilt.edu//cft/guides-sub-pages/itas
http://www.fau.edu/ctl/TA_Handbook_Iowa_State_University.pdf
https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/lead_ta/legacy_project_2014/documents/UCDavisTA-guide-2013.pdf
Technical/Scientific Presentations
https://www.craftofscientificpresentations.com
https://www.assertion-evidence.com
Field-specific terminology with audio files
https://grad.msu.edu/tap/team/resources
Interactive Exercises
https://ucat.osu.edu/bookshelf/international/international-teacher/communication-strategies-for-non-native-english-speakers/phrases-for-classroom-interactions/
https://a4356-7217243.cluster79.canvas-user-content.com/courses/4356~120308/files/4356~7217243/course%20files/common%20student%20questions/story_html5.html?download=1&inline=1
Writing / Grammar / Vocabulary
Graduate Writing Center materials
http://writing.umn.edu/sws/quickhelp/graduate.html
https://www.gradschool.umd.edu/graduate-school-writing-center
http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/gradstudies/graduatewritingstudio.html
Technical/Scientific Writing
https://www.craftofscientificwriting.com/lessons.html
http://web.mit.edu/me-ugoffice/communication/technical-writing.pdf
http://www.hanyangowl.org/media/textbook/engsciresearchwritingbook.pdf
http://web.mit.edu/course/21/21.guide/esl-link.htm
General Writing
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
http://writing.ku.edu/writing-guides
Grammar
https://www.craftofscientificwriting.com/exercises.html
http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/index.htm
Vocabulary
Dictionary
Oral/Aural Communication Skills
Presentations
https://www.assertion-evidence.com
http://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Public-Speaking-Tips
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~comcoach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjcO2ExtHso
Pronunciation
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-MSYk9R94F3TMuKAnQ7dDg/videos
https://www.soundsofenglish.org
https://www.youtube.com/user/rachelsenglish
Listening
Integrated Skills
Videos/Media
https://www.youtube.com/user/eLeMentalEnglish/videos
https://learningenglish.voanews.com
American Life and Culture
Living in the U.S.
https://www.edupass.org/living
American Culture
https://www.edupass.org/culture
Holidays
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays
Various ESL links, slang & idioms, culture
American vs. British English
https://www.edupass.org/english/dictionary
English Tutors