Previous research has shown that ESL students' poor integration into their immersion environments can affect their academic success negatively, which called for structured support for such students. The current study investigated the efficacy of an IEP elective course that was designed to a) promote lower-level students' English use outside the classroom and b) improve students' overall confidence toward the target transactional tasks, as well as more open-ended interactions with native speakers in the local community. The specific scaffolding activities mainly involved presentation of new language points, pronunciation practice, role-plays, simulations with in-class tutors, field trips to perform the practiced tasks with native speakers, and reflective activities. The results from diagnostic and exit course surveys showed increases in students' confidence levels and increases in the overall quantity of English use outside the classroom. Considering the results, approaches to promoting ESL students' integration into local communities are discussed.