English as a Second Language
Discover the best information, whether you’re a new student starting your first assignment, or delving into a research project.
Library essentials
Reading Lists
These are set up by your tutors to guide you to good quality, relevant and useful materials to help you with your studies. They are a great starting point before doing your own research.
Library Search
Did you know? The citation tool in Library Search can help you create references! Learn how to make the most of Library Search through our short, interactive guide: Use Library Search to find academic information for your assessments.
Subject specific resources
Books and journals
The first place you should look is your Reading List. You will find a link to this in your Blackboard modules. It lists all the core texts for your subject as recommended by your lecturers. All our other books and journals can be found in Library Search.
Graded Reader books
The Library has a number of Easy Reader and Graded Reader books which are small versions of popular fiction. The English Easy Readers are shelved at 428.64.
Newspapers
- Newsstream Newspapers - You can access local, regional and national newspapers from around the world.
- Gale OneFile News
Databases
- Oxford Reference Online - A reference database which includes English and bilingual dictionaries, as well as subject dictionaries and reference books published by Oxford University Press.
- Box of Broadcasts (BoB) - A useful TV scheduling service which can be used to record, store and create clips from television and radio programmes from a selected list of channels.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers more than 9,000 professionally produced online courses covering a wide range of technical, creative and professional skills.
Always use our institutional link to log in – you will need your University email address and password. The first time that you log in, you will be taken through a setup process to discover courses tailored to your interests.
Discover more in our video: Using LinkedIn Learning at Salford.
Develop your skills
Finding information skills
Developing information skills saves time and give you stronger sources for your assessments. Finding information on the Skills website covers everything you need to learn how to search for resources effectively.
Further support
The Skills website has eLearning to help you achieve your study goals - from academic writing support and referencing guidance to help with presentation skills, using generative AI, time management and more.
You can also attend our academic skills workshops. If you need extra support you can contact the Academic Skills Team to ask a question or request a one-to-one appointment.