There is a pressing need in the Church for special materials to help people learn ESL/EFL (English as a second language / English as a Foreign Language).  Why might Church members worldwide need or want to learn English? With English language ability, non-English-speaking Latter-day Saints can more fully and strategically:

• participate in the world economy


• communicate more effectively in the family, especially extended and multi generational families


• help reduce isolation and improve worldwide communication and understanding


• create more brotherhood in the world


• have first-hand access to Church literature, conferences, directives, and other information


• proclaim the restored gospel and help establish peace among the nations of the earth


• increase their opportunities in education and business, as well as in the professions and the world of work


• support their families and maintain productive activity in the Church

Thousands have already been served.

Since commercial materials are expensive and not easily obtained by those requesting help, we have, over the years, developed our own materials to meet people's needs. As the demand for English for Special Purposes (ESP), such as business English, medical English, and others has grown, we have tried to meet that need. These materials have been sent to hundreds of people in wards, branches, stakes, missions, Deseret Industries, Church Humanitarian Services, Institutes of Religion, Church Public Affairs, community action programs, literacy programs, and other non-profit organizations.

Description of services provide

Currently, the OELS office houses electronic and hard copy materials already created, develops new materials to meet additional needs, and distributes these materials and information on teaching English to speakers of other languages.  Our website contains a variety of information and materials and will continue to grow in order to help fill future needs. People needing such material can contact the Office for English Language Services via the Internet, an already established toll-free number (1-800-BYU-TESL), or regular mail. 

What services will the office provide?

First, the OELS will be a repository for information and materials for teaching/learning English as a second or foreign language. Its main function will be to distribute that material and information worldwide. To do this, the Office will build on the already existing resources.  Both printed materials and software will be available at cost to help those who are  teaching or learning ESL/EFL. Permission will be given to duplicate materials freely for Church use.