ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM PSU's ESL program is designed to meet the language needs of students and residents of the Los Angeles community whose native language is not English. Those who participate in the program receive intensive training focused on the development of communicative skills -- listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Incorporated within the ESL program is the study of the English sound system, lexicon, grammar, and American culture. Students in preparation for PSU's degree programs may participate in the ESL program to strengthen their English skills. Other students participate to prepare for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination so that they may study at other schools in the United States. Business people in the community take part to develop good business communication skills, which include understanding the American business culture. In general, people participate so that they will be able to function well within the English-speaking community.