English As a Second Language

English Language Resources: A Research Guide for New and Continuing Learners of the English Language

This guide is meant to assist those who are learning to speak, write and read English. The first section, Materials in the MVCC Library, directs the learner to materials here at the college. Many of these materials are cassettes or videocassettes and may be checked out of the library. The second section, Web sites (language practice, games, grammar, pronunciation, etc.), has links to some interesting Web sites for individual learning opportunities.

Materials in the MVCC Library

The Library owns a number of materials that are appropriate for those who are learning English. There is no charge to use the Library's materials, and many may be checked out for use at home. Ask a librarian to help you find items in the catalog and on the shelves.

Dictionaries

• NTC's American English Learner's Dictionary: The Essential Vocabulary of American Language and Culture
• NTC's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
• Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 
• Arabic-English, English-Arabic
• English Language Dictionaries Chinese 
• French-English English-French Dictionary
• Collins German-English, English-German Dictionary
• English Language Dictionaries Hawaiian 
• Cassell's Italian Dictionary : Italian-English, English-Italian
• Japanese-English English-Japanese Dictionary And Phrasebook
• English Language Dictionaries Lithuanian 
• The Kosciuszko Foundation Dictionary : English-Polish, Polish-English
• Anglo-Russkii I Russko-Angliiskii Slovar (Kratkii)
• Random House Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary
  

Search the Library Catalog  for books, magazines, videos and audio materials in the Library’s collection. English language students are also encouraged to browse the various magazines, journals and newspapers that the library owns.

A good starting place in is to try a Subject search using these terms:

• English Language Dictionaries
• English Language Textbooks
• English Language Pronunciation
• English Language Self Instruction
• English Language Semantics
• English Language Spoken English
• High Interest Low Vocabulary These are books on a variety of subjects, including fiction, that are written for people with limited English language skills
• Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL)  

Article Databases have articles on a variety of topics. Use these databases for information at a level appropriate for students who are working to gain a better facility of the English language:

• Academic Search Premier
  Academic, news, popular, and trade publications covering all topics from 1975 to the present
• MAS Ultra School Edition
  Intended for high school and middle school students. Useful for education majors and individuals gaining reading skills
• CultureGrams
  Information on countries of the world and states of the United States 

Web sites

There are many free Web resources for ESL students. Use Google.com, Ask.com or another search engine to find websites of ESL information. Sample search terms: ESL resources, ESL quizzes, ESL games. Below are some Web sites that the MVCC librarians have found to be especially useful.

Language practice, games, grammar, pronunciation, etc.

• Activities for ESL Students Interactive games, puzzles, and quizzes
• Dave's ESL Cafe All kinds of information for students and teachers
• Interesting Things for ESL Students Word games, puzzles, quizzes, exercises, slang, proverbs and much more
• 1-Language.com
• Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Click on the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation of a word
• Commonly-Used American Slang
• The Guide to Grammar and Writing (Index)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language
• Libraries English and Reading Network (LEARN)
• WritingDEN Improving writing skills
• Alta Book Center Materials for Teaching and Learning English Publishers/distributors of ESL materials for self study
  

News stories

• CNN News Stories Archive

Using the Internet

• Internet Basics for ESL Students

Online keyboarding

• Free Touch Typing Program  

Sources for teachers and adult students

• L.E.A.R.N. (Libraries’ English and Reading Network) 

Writing help

• OWL Online Writing Lab from Purdue University ESL resources, handouts and exercises

For more help, ask a librarian!

In the library: Librarians at the Information/Reference Desk will help you find materials and information.

By phone: Call the Information/Reference Desk at (708) 974-5234 .

By email: Ask a Librarian for help.