English Language Learning in the United States
There is no better way to learn English than to learn from and live among native speakers. Learn how in this guide for students with disabilities studying English in America.
In this tipsheet:
Preparations through Online Learning
Disability Preparations & Arrival
Introduction
English language programs for non-native speakers (ESL) attract people worldwide who want to improve their English for use in their profession, such as hospitality or business, or to qualify to study for a degree in the United States (U.S.). 
However, the decision to study ESL (or any other subject) abroad is not a simple decision; discuss it with your friends and family. What decisions need to be made?
- Where do you want to study? Do you prefer a big city or smaller one? Do you prefer warmer weather or are snowy and chilly winters OK for you?
- What kind of school do you want to study at? Do you want to study at a larger, more prestigious school that will be noticed on your resume? Or do you like the idea of studying at a smaller school with fewer students, smaller class sizes, and more contact with your teacher?
- What can you afford? American universities and colleges typically charge higher tuition rate for international students and out-of-state students that is more than what local students pay. If money is a concern then a private language school might be a better choice because they are more affordable.
- What kind of living arrangements do you find most appealing? Do you want to live on campus in a dorm? Do you want to stay with a home stay family? Can you afford your own apartment off-campus?
- How much support will you require in terms of disability services? Larger schools have more experience working with a wide variety of students with disabilities, but may be more bureaucratic in its decision making. While a small language school might have less established resources for working with students with disabilities, but can be more flexible and less procedural.
- Do you need to take classes for credit that you can transfer back to your home school?
- Do you have a good English language score that will help you in the admissions process?
The following resources provide some more guidance about the decision-making process and answers to other frequently asked questions, such as “What is an accredited school?” or “Can I work while taking ESL classes?”:
- Learning English Guide by Study in the USA is an excellent resource for potential ESL students coming to America. It provides a long list of questions you need to ask when choosing a program that is right for you.
- ESL Study Programs: Picking the Ideal School is another short guide on making the decision where to study.
Finding the Right Program
Once you have narrowed down the type of program you want, you can begin researching programs using some of these online search engines:
- Language Course Finder has an excellent search engine as well as study guides on finding scholarships and language certificates.
- Intensive English USA has a search engine that can search by region, in case you want to study in a certain part of the country.
- Study in the USA search engine allows you to search within a number of categories, such as size of school or type of program.
Funding
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to studying abroad is finding the funding to make it possible. Here are some sources of information:
- Institute of International Education has a search engine of scholarships and other funding sources searchable by region and field of study.
- Goabroad.com has search engines for scholarships and ESL study programs in America.
- USA Study Guide has a page with links to various international funding opportunities.
- International Scholarships has a broad listing of sources of funding.
- National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange Funding to the USA provides a list of financial aid search engines, publications, and study scholarships sometimes related to disability.
Applying
People with disabilities have protection under U.S. laws, but this does not mean that discrimination and prejudice do not still exist in the United States. These laws also protect people with disabilities, including people in the U.S. who are not citizens, from discrimination in ESL programs, higher education and scholarship application process.
Disability status cannot be considered a disadvantage in a school’s admission decision. Also, schools, including ESL programs, are not allowed to inquire about disability in the application process. A student may disclose a disability and request accommodations, such as an application in braille, but the school must make sure that this is not considered when making an admissions decision.
Preparations through Online Learning
As the study abroad process takes some time, use that time wisely by improving your English. It will make your arrival in America as easy as possible. There are numerous websites that you can use to practice for free:
- ABC English: This website, available in English and Spanish, offers free grammar help, language lessons, reading comprehension tests, a forum, and more.
- Dave's ESL Cafe: Dave's ESL Cafe has a wealth of resources links for ESL students and teachers.
- English Daily: This website includes TOEFL vocabulary practice, grammar lessons and exercises, transcripts from movies, ear training, and sections on slang, idioms, and proverbs.
- ESL Resource Center: The ESL Resource Center features lessons and exercises, resources and links, and information and tools for learners and teachers of English.
- Exam English: This website has a number of TOEFL and IELTS practice tests to prepare for taking the English proficiency tests. Learn about disability-related accommodations on the English Testing Arrangements for People with Disabilities tipsheet (http://www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/toefl).
- In2English: This is a free, interactive English learning website for Chinese professionals, teachers, parents and their children. It provides help with English study, IELTS tests and studying abroad. Online English language units improve English speaking, listening, writing and communication skills. The site also uses English games, music, stories and activities for Business, Working, Teaching and Living.
- Learn English Feel Good: This website offers ESL practice through grammar and vocabulary tests, video and audio exercises, and specific ESL lessons for travelers.
- Matador Abroad: This travel website article "30 Free Online Resources for Teaching and Learning English" offers reviews of many resources on ESL grammar, vocabulary, games, speaking, listening, reading, writing, and more.
Disability Preparations & Arrival
Communicate with your school's disability support office and international programs office so preparations that need more planning time can begin prior to arrival. A disability assessment form may be helpful in this process. You may need documentation of your disability in order to receive services, but ESL programs or post-secondary institutions are not required to conduct or pay for an evaluation or assessment to document a student's disability. Find out what documentation you need to bring with you.
If you have ongoing health needs or need repairs/upgrades to personal aids, you may not be eligible for the same public assistance as American citizens, so see what you can arrange from home or other sources. Browse information on insurance, pressure sores, medications, accessing community resources and other disability-specific advice on the NCDE tipsheets webpage.
Before you arrive, also begin researching disability activities on campus and in your host community. Many cities have adaptive recreational opportunities, such as skiing or biking programs for people with disabilities. To find disability community organizations, contact National Council on Independent Living as they have members in each state, and also find others through Disability.gov.
For other non-academic planning, such as if you're concerned about traveling by airplane or with a service animal, the NCDE also has tipsheets at the link listed above. Many schools offer an airport pick-up option for international students; if you need a wheelchair accessible transportation or a verbal welcome if you are blind, request this service in advance. Most schools provide an orientation program for new international students, which will inform you about your rights, duties, and privileges as an international student on campus.
Schedule a visit to your school's disability services office or staff member as soon as you arrive to learn about disability-friendly campus maps, emergency phone numbers, information on public services (such as the bus system) for people with disabilities, disabled student clubs, and local disability organizations. This is also the time to meet with disability services staff to request academic accommodations in your classes and on-campus living. Learn more on the Coming to the USA webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my rights in America as someone with a disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects everyone with a disability in the United States, both citizens and people from other countries. Your college or private language school will most likely be required to provide you with accommodations that you need to achieve the same degree of academic access as your classmates.
Although high schools, colleges and universities are responsible for ensuring that their programs and activities are accessible to students with disabilities, they are not responsible for providing personal aids, such as wheelchairs or eyeglasses, or personal care assistance.
In some cases, the distinction between modified equipment for accessibility and personal aids is unclear so it is always best to discuss these issues with the disabled student services staff at the school.
Learn more on the Coming to the USA webpage.
Can I bring my family or a personal assistant with me?
A spouse and children of the primary visa holder are allowed to stay in America with you on an approved visa. However, if you need to travel with a personal assistant who is other than a spouse or child, your assistant will need to acquire a tourist visa. Sometimes a tourist visa is for a shorter duration than a typical student visa, so be sure the arrangement will work for the time you need. Personal assistants can also be hired in the U.S. If you need to hire a personal assistant for daily living, connect with the local independent living center or blind association to learn if there are volunteers, good referrals, or the average rate for paying a personal assistant. Learn more at Personal Assistants on International Exchange Programs.
How are American schools different from schools in my home country?
It's hard to generalize as there is so much variety in higher education around the world. But generally speaking, American colleges and private ESL schools stress personal responsibility, academic freedom (through electives), classroom participation, team projects, and reasoning skills (as opposed to rote memorization). This could be useful to know if you are a student with a learning, social or behavioral related disability, to understand what is expected and explore options for success in the classroom. For more information, the Purdue University website has an excellent guide to the culture of American college classrooms.
Will the English teacher know about teaching students with disabilities?
Some teachers may have had training or past experiences with ESL students with disabilities. Most teachers have learned about teaching to students with different learning styles and backgrounds. The disability service provider can help prepare the teacher. You should also meet individually with each of your teachers at the beginning and periodically throughout the class to share what helps you to learn and what is less accessible. If you and the teacher convey a positive, inclusive approach to learning, then the classmates will also respond accordingly when doing group work. You can also share this online tipsheet with the ESL teacher: English Language Classroom and Students with Disabilities.
How is a community college different from a regular college or university?
Many students with disabilities, international and ESL students, and students of all ages attend community colleges. Community colleges are 2-year schools with an open door policy (that is, there are no admission requirements) with a mission of serving the local community. They provide job training, adult education, and classes for students who want to transfer to a 4-year school. Generally speaking, they are cheaper, smaller, and have fewer students in each class. Many international students study at a community college for two years and then transfer to a 4-year school. For more information on community colleges including information for international students with disabilities, you can visit the NCDE's resource page International Students to the U.S.: What is a Community College?.
Where can I read stories about other people with disabilities studying in America?
The NCDE website includes many stories written by people with a variety of different disabilities who studied in America. Learn about their experiences at Stories from People with Disabilities who came to the U.S. to inform your own planning process.
Good luck!
This tipsheet was compiled by Brian Ridge as a consultant for the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange. He lived in South Korea as an exchange student and ESL teacher. He has a master's degree in Student Development Administration from Seattle University with an interest in international education and students with disabilities.
