There are a number of opportunities for international students and scholars and/or their spouses to improve or practice their English, both on the UC Davis campus and in the City of Davis. These opportunities range from formal classes of intensive study to informal private arrangements. Here are some suggestions:

The English as a Second Language Program, housed in the LINGUISTICS DEPARTMENT, offers courses for registered students at UC Davis, both undergraduate and graduate. We serve international students, exchange students, and both recent and long-term immigrants. We offer three, four, and five-unit courses in writing and speaking skills, as well as one-unit courses in selected academic skills, such as reading, communication and culture, vocabulary development, listening comprehension, grammar, and writing. The PAL (Partners in Acquiring Language) Conversation Program pairs up U.S. students with new international students at UC Davis for informal conversation practice for approximately 1 hour per week. Also see Linguistics 25.

UC DAVIS EXTENSION English language programs can help to improve your ability to communicate effectively in American English. Choose from four and ten-week intensive programs, customized programs for groups as well as specialized English language programs for medical and legal professionals.  For more than 25 years, thousands of college and university students, and working professionals have come to UC Davis Extension to learn or improve their ability to speak, write, understand and communicate effectively in American English.  You can obtain more information regarding times, fees, or enrollment through UC Davis Extension, 1333 Research Park Drive or phone them at 757-8686 or email them at intlinfo@unexmail.ucdavis.edu.

THE LEARNING SKILLS CENTER  At the Learning Skills Center you can receive help with such things as general study skills, math/science study skills, essay and term paper writing, reading efficiency, English as a second language, time-management skills, test-taking skills, and test anxiety reduction.

There is also a LANGUAGE LEARNING CENTER in the basement of Olson Hall, Room 49. The Language Learning Center (LLC) is the central site on the UC Davis campus for technology-based language pedagogy. Conveniently located next to the library in the center of the UC Davis campus, the Language Learning Center is a site where faculty, staff, and students can come together in order to study language and culture. It consists of a variety of classroom, lab, and multi-purpose spaces-all with a focus on facilitating language learning, research, and culture. In addition to managing state-of-the-art spaces for language activity, the LLC differs from traditional language laboratories by offering workshops on a variety of topics including technology, conducting computerized adaptive placement examinations, serving as a reserve center for specialized check-out materials, hosting various conferences and cultural activities, assisting with the creation of courseware, and serving as a support mechanism for student and faculty language and technology endeavors.

There are also opportunities to learn English off-campus, in the community of Davis:

• THE INTERNATIONAL HOUSE in Davis offers English conversation courses. Call the International House at 753-5007 for more information.
• THE DAVIS ADULT SCHOOL offers classes for all levels of English as a Second Language. Their calendar conforms to UC Davis' quarter system, although students may begin classes at any point during the quarter. They offer mostly evening classes and a few daytime classes.