Within the Bachelor of Arts, St. Thomas offers a unique English as a Second Language (ESL) programme for students whose level of English proficiency is not high enough to pursue regular studies at an English-language university. These students are provided the opportunity to begin university studies for credit while they continue to improve their language skills in a planned, individualized programme of study.

To be eligible for this programme, ESL students must have TOEFL (computer-based) scores of between 173 and 230 or the equivalent on other tests. A combination of ESL courses and adapted courses in other disciplines enables students to achieve the level of proficiency in English necessary to be successful in regular university studies. All of the courses that students take in the ESL programme carry academic credit.

A personal approach guides the ESL curriculum. Every student who has not yet fully mastered English is tested through an oral interview, a vocabulary and grammar test, and an essay assignment. Based on the results of these tests, an individualized curriculum is developed for each student suitable for his or her level. The curriculum will be challenging, but not overwhelming.