The ESL Program assists non-native English-speaking ESL students to acquire, understand, and successfully use academic English at an American university. Students attain sufficient language proficiency and independent learning strategies to become successful participants in the La Sierra University community.

The ESL Program may also assist non-native English- speaking students to acquire, understand, and successfully use standard English for non-academic purposes.

The ESL Program is committed to sustaining instructional excellence through collaborative professional support, continuous monitoring of ESL curricula and student services, and integration of appropriate educational technology and cultural excursions into learning and instruction.

The ESL Program, instructors, and coursework provide a broad range of excellent academic and cultural opportunities. These opportunities help students develop and demonstrate proficiency in the skills of reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, grammar, speaking, and listening comprehension.

Six main levels of instruction (Basic, Beginning, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, and Expanded) meet each quarter during the academic year. Each 4-unit class meets 40 hours per quarter.