Where to Find UCSB's English for Multilingual Students (EMS) Program Information

Updated

The EMS Program information is not on the UCSB Linguistics home page itself. The home page only points you to it: it states that the English for Multilingual Students (EMS) Program offers courses for students for whom English is not their first language, and directs visitors to a separate EMS page for details. So the home page is your signpost, not your destination — follow the EMS link from there to reach the program's own information.

What the home page tells you

According to the Department of Linguistics home page, the EMS Program:

  • Offers courses for students for whom English is not their first language
  • Is reached through a dedicated EMS page, linked from the home page under the "Looking for EMS?" heading

That is the extent of what the home page provides. It does not list courses, eligibility rules, placement procedures, or schedules — those would live on the EMS page itself.

How to get there

  1. Go to the UCSB Department of Linguistics home page (linguistics.ucsb.edu).
  2. Find the "Looking for EMS?" section.
  3. Follow the link labeled "English for Multilingual Students."

Expected result: you land on the EMS Program page, which is the starting point for program details rather than the Linguistics home page.

Why the distinction matters

If you are a prospective or current student whose first language is not English, the Linguistics home page will not answer your practical questions about courses or enrollment. Treat it as a directory entry: it confirms the program exists, states its purpose, and hands you off to the right page. Any specifics about how to enroll, what levels are offered, or how placement works need to come from the EMS page itself.

A note on scope

The home page describes EMS only in general terms — courses for non-native English speakers. It does not state costs, eligibility restrictions, or whether the program is open to all students. For those conditions, check the EMS page directly rather than assuming the home page's brief description covers them.