Please note: The SLS / ESL program is no longer accepting applications for the graduate program.

Diverse atmosphere
The Second Language Studies/ESL Program features a diverse graduate student population with students from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and the United States. This diversity creates an environment where multiple perspectives are welcomed and long held assumptions are challenged.

Internationally known faculty
Nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship, faculty members specialize in second language writing, language and assessment, world Englishes, and applied linguistics. In addition to having nearly 100 years of collective experience as researchers and teachers in the field, they edit or serve on the editorial boards of leading journals, hold offices in professional organizations, and bring regional, national, and international conferences to the Purdue campus. Click here to view faculty biographies and photos.

Interdisciplinary opportunities
The Second Language Studies/ESL graduate program encourages interdisciplinary research through its ties with the following programs and departments:

Within the English department

Rhetoric and Composition
English Language and Linguistics
Professional Writing

In other departments and programs on campus

Curriculum and Instruction
Languages and Cultures
Linguistics

Emphasis on research
The Second Language Studies/ESL program is research oriented. Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of research traditions, designs, and areas. This is evidenced by the dissertations and theses completed by the graduates of our program.

Student Organization
The program has an active graduate student group called ESL GO: English as a Second Language Graduate Student Organization. This group brings in guest speakers, organizes the annual Symposium on Second Language Studies/ESL, and social activities for the student community.