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Come learn to speak, read, and write the English language
We welcome students from all cultures and backgrounds whether you’re a beginner or almost fluent in English. The ESL Program helps students improve their English through coursework, cultural trips, and many different activities. The Program also teaches students about fitting into American culture and helps them adjust to life in the US quickly and smoothly. When students successfully complete the program, they are ready to transition into regular university classes.
Why Study at La Sierra University?
- You can study in small classes where your teacher knows who you are and how to help you.
- Our program teaches all aspects of English language, from reading, writing, and grammar, to listening, speaking, and pronunciation, to getting you ready for college in the USA.
- There are many opportunities to travel around beautiful Southern California.
- Your teachers are highly educated and experienced in teaching English as a Second Language.
- You can join different Student Clubswhere you can practice conversation skills with English speakers and meet students from many different countries.
- You can live on a Christian campus and experience unforgettable moments with students from all over the world.
Learning Levels:
Understand more reading material, write grammatically-correct sentences, and learn additional vocabulary.
Start writing paragraphs, essays, and organized papers. Learn vocabulary to start reading early college material.
Students at this level can read and comprehend more advanced more advanced academic text, and are able to write with increseasing length, complexity and abstraction using academic vocabulary and consistent grammatical structures.
Read and understand most college material. perfect your listening, pronunciation, and conversational skills.
Visiting and getting to know La Sierra University was a pleasant surprise. Being a student of this prestigious center of ESL education is a privilege.
Pastor Luis Gonçalves - South American Division Director of Evangelism
When you enter La Sierra’s campus, you get a special feeling. Everything is clean, nice, and organized. Spiritually and emotionally, everything is peaceful. The weather in Southern California makes everything even better! It adds to the warmth of the campus
Pastor Alexander Schwarz - Trans - Caucasus Union Mission President
Intensive Program
The ESL Intensive program is designed for those who wish to enhance their English language verbal communication skills and desire to be exposed to American culture. The programs focus on increasing proficiency in English language conversation, vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening. Learning takes place in the classroom and through exposure to American cultural experiences during a number of learning activities and local excursions.
Classes and activities are scheduled in various formats and in 2-8 week duration through the academic year, including summer quarter.
Things to Do in Southern California
- Theme parks: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Legoland, and Raging Waters.
- Beaches: Laguna, Newport, Huntington, Corona Del Mar, and many more!
- Shopping malls and outlets
- Dodgers and Angels major league baseball
- Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers professional basketball
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Hollywood
- Palm Springs
- Bowling
- Skating
- Skiing/Snowboarding (only 1 hour away!)
- Museums of culture, art, and heritage
- Weekend trips to Yosemite National Park, Lake Havasu, or Pine Springs Ranch - just to mention a few!
La Sierra is a place full of dedicated professors and amazing students from all over the world. It’s an adventure that you have to experience yourself!
Iveth P., Honduras; Major: Management
First Steps In Coming To America
To come study at La sierra University, you will need:
- a valid passport and U.S. visa
- a valid I-20 form
- a completed International Students Financial Guarantee Form (FGF) and La sierra application
International Student Services
The International student services office is an important place for all incoming international students. The friendly staff will help you become familiar with the new campus environment as well as coach you on maintaining proper visa status. social programs coordinated by the office of International student services will help you to learn about other cultures and make new friends.
It’s not easy learning a new language, but the ESL program helped me a lot. The teachers were really friendly. They did everything they could to help me out. In school they found me a program that fit what I needed, and out of school they comforted me when I was homesick!
Lorraine, Sophomore, Brazil
Tips for Traveling Abroad
- Sign passport and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and a visa, if required. Complete the emergency information page of your passport.
- Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page, and visas with family or friends so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
- Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.
- Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
- Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.
Meet our Staff & Instructors
