The academic skills that students of English as a second language (ESL) require to survive in American educational institutions are identified, and ways of incorporating the skills into ESL classes or programs are suggested. The following academic skills are important to ESL students: (1) ability to take notes of lectures and textual materials; (2) ability to organize essay type examination questions and write accurately under the pressure of time; (3) ability to recognize and understand the thinking strategies implicit in objective type test questions; (4) ability to read at varying rates with high level comprehension; and (5) the ability to research and write a reference paper. Instruction can be individualized or in a group, but the skills should be introduced as systematically as possible. By using a syllabus, a teacher can proceed in structuring class lessons and activities as best fits each group of students. A procedure for teaching note taking is presented that is designed to help in outlining and in differentiating main divisions and ideas from supporting details. Each of the survival skills is introduced to the students, integrated with assigned texts, and reinforced through practice during the term. A formal outline pattern and a list of some useful materials for academic skills development classes and programs are appended. (SW)