"I’ve already recommended Lehman College’s ESL program to my friends and coworkers as a chance to enrich their skills. For anyone who is wishing to improve their English language skills in order to achieve success in their field of work, this is the program for you." -Ana Zhvania, Summer 2022 ESL Program Graduate
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
About Our ESL Program
Program Courses
Registration
International Students (F-1 Student Visa Status Only)
Transition from Other ESL Programs to Lehman College (Undergraduate and Graduate Studies at Lehman)
TOEFL Testing
Contact Us
Since 1989, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lehman College in the Bronx has offered ESL classes on a full-time or part-time basis to everyone interested in improving their English skills for personal and professional reasons. Classes are affordable, follow a flexible schedule and are taught by dynamic instructors in a student-oriented environment. These ESL courses also provide the students with opportunities to enter degree programs or pursue other training.
Learn and Study English Online or In-Person
Join us from New York City or from wherever you are in the world!
Our ESL program is designed to help you improve your employment prospects, access higher education, earn credentials, and communicate effectively in the Bronx, in local US communities, and in the English-speaking world. Classes are affordable, follow a flexible schedule, and are taught by dynamic instructors in a learner-focused environment.
The majority of our courses are in HyFlex modality starting from the Fall 2022 semester. HyFlex modality allows students the choice to attend in person or online from class to class. Click this link for more information about class prices, dates and schedules.
Please note: The price of required e-books is not included in the course fees.
Our ESL Course Offerings:
Intensive English Program (IEP) - Morning and Afternoon Classes
If you are a committed learner who is focused on college, graduate school, or professional advancement, this course is ideal for you! Designed for of all levels of proficiency, you may elect to focus on particular skills in the morning or afternoon. However, if you desire an 18-hour per week instructional program, enroll in both courses, Grammar/Reading/Writing and Listening/Speaking/Pronunciation, for a genuine immersive experience.
Reading/Writing /Grammar
Basic Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (AM)
Sessions: 28
Total instructional hours: 63
Modality: HyFlex
Listening/Speaking/Pronunciation
Basic Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (PM)
Sessions: 28
Total instructional hours: 63
Modality: HyFlex
ESL Evening Courses
If you work during the day or have limited time to study, our evening program is ideal for anyone who has demands on their time and wants balanced instruction in all skills.
Basic Schedule: Monday and Wednesday (PM) or Tuesday and Thursday (PM)
Sessions: 12
Total instructional hours: 24
Modality: HyFlex
English for Beginners
In this course, you will build foundational communication skills to make daily life in the US more navigable.
Basic Schedule: Monday and Wednesday (PM) or Tuesday and Thursday (PM)
Sessions: 12
Total instructional hours: 24
Modality: HyFlex
English for the Workplace (Saturday Course)
Start the weekend off moving closer to your goals! Using authentic English language materials and media, this course improves your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in everyday workplace interactions.
Basic Schedule: Saturday (AM)
Sessions: 9
Total instructional hours: 24
Modality: On-line
ESL Private Lessons
Adding private lessons to your schedule is a highly effective tool to get the targeted language help you need. By working with one of our skilled instructors, you can customize the learning objectives to fit your unique needs and accelerate your progress. Our lessons give you access to the undivided attention and expertise of a qualified instructor who will offer relevant interventions and guidance with impact to move you effectively towards your specific academic or professional goals as quickly as possible.
Customize your lesson time (AM or PM) and length from 30-120 minutes
Customize frequency of lessons from 1-5 meetings per week
Customize your start date
Privates lesson plans may be purchased in 5, 10, 15, or 20 hour increments and are available for individual study or small group study of 2, 3, 4, or maximum 5 students.
For additional details, including pricing and policies, start building your plan by submitting our request form. We will match you with an instructor according to your needs, areas of interest, and availability. Once matched, a private payment link will be sent.
International Students (F-1 student visa status only)
The Lehman College ESL Program is legally authorized to enroll non-immigrant alien students. However, due to the on-going pandemic, there are unique regulatory considerations. If you have already established and currently maintain F-1 visa status, our team will be happy to discuss the transfer process with you, help you determine the best program start date based on your situation, and modality of attendance to maintain your status.
If you are outside the USA or intend to apply for a change of status, we will be able to offer an I-20 for students prepared to attend class in person at our Bronx campuses.
To apply for an I-20 to attend the Intensive English Program on an F-1 visa, you will need to complete the ESL Application form and send it to Brenda Perez, brenda.perez@lehman.cuny.edu and isso.shuster@lehman.cuny.edu. Be sure to include your email address. There is a $100 dollar (U.S.), non-refundable, application fee that must be submitted with the application. You may pay this fee online here. Once the application fee and completed application is received, you will receive your I-20 and acceptance letter. To maintain F-1 status, students enroll in both the AM and PM portions of the Intensive English Program to fulfill the 18 hours of course work per week full time study requirement.
Registration
Once you have decided on the course, click on the green button “Add to Cart” under the course description. New users will need to create an account. Registration has to be completed in one sitting, as partially completed registration cannot be saved for a future session. You will receive information about a placement test after you have registered and paid for the course.
Testing and Placement
The Lehman College ESL Program uses the Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) to place students in sections of similar ability. The OOPT is an online, multiple-choice exam which tests ability in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening. It takes around one hour to complete. Your speaking, writing, reading and listening skills are verified by our instructors, and if necessary, placement is adjusted. After registration, you will be sent a link to the test, which can be taken from any computer (sound required). The price of the test is included in the course fee. You can check your English level at no cost.
Transitioning from the ESL Programs to Lehman College
Undergraduate Study at Lehman College
As a qualified, enrolled student, you may be recommended by your teacher to sit for the Transfer Placement Evaluation (TPE). The TPE is offered three times per year. If you place into credit-bearing ESL or English Composition courses at Lehman College, you will be exempt from submitting English Proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo) required for Lehman College undergraduate admission for the next available intake.
Graduate Study at Lehman College
We will provide guidance on the admission process if you desire to study at the graduate level at Lehman College. While an English proficiency score is still necessary for most graduate programs, we offer help with understanding specific admissions criteria, for example, how to write a Statement of Purpose, who to ask for Letters of Recommendation, and how to successfully complete the application.
Common European Framework
The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions that can be divided into six levels; for each level, it describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing.
The following table gives an indication of these levels.
TOEFL Testing
Lehman College is an ETS Authorized TOEFL iBT® Test CenterThe TOEFL® Test Gives You an Advantage:
Most Widely Accepted , Most Popular , Most Convenient Choice!
The TOEFL test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 10,000 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the United States. Wherever you want to study, the TOEFL test can help you get there. Please visit https://www.ets.org/toefl and register now.
Coordinator Contact:
Dr. Inola Matthews
Dr. Inola Matthews is the ESL Program Coordinator in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at Lehman College, CUNY. She has been a Lehman faculty member since 2017 and has over eighteen years of experience working in the ESL profession in the United States and Europe. Dr. Matthews holds a PhD in English Philology from Tbilisi State University, Georgia, an MA in European Studies from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, an MA in Euroculture from Uppsala University, Sweden, BA and MA degrees in English Language and Literature from Sokhumi State University, Georgia, and a Postgraduate Certificate of Studies in Linguistics from the University of Oxford, UK. She is an OSI/FCO Chevening/ University of Oxford Scholar, as well as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar. Dr. Matthews has extensive experience teaching local and international students and providing academic and career guidance to a large number of the undergraduate and graduate student population. She uses a wide range of ESL teaching methods with particular emphasis on the interactive student-centered approach allowing learners to acquire valuable English language skills in the most comprehensive and effective manner. In addition, ESL students get the opportunity to develop their ability to achieve and secure professional level work through the application of supportive learning activities in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Dr. Matthews is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Lehman College, and is also engaged in a linguistic research project with prominent American and European scholars.
| Email: Esl.Program@lehman.cuny.edu |
Phone: +1 718 960 8659 (Español) |