English as a Second Language (ESL) credit classes are available to UI students whose first language is not English—U.S. as well as international students. International undergraduate students admitted to The University of Iowa with a TOEFL iBT score lower than 100 (600/250, paper/computer) are required to complete an English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) before their first registration for classes. (See "English Proficiency Requirement" below.) Some graduate departments may require students to complete an English Proficiency Evaluation regardless of their TOEFL score. Students are required to complete any ESL coursework specified as a result of the English Proficiency Evaluation.
Courses are offered in conversation skills, pronunciation, grammar, reading, and writing. Students must be enrolled in The University of Iowa in order to take ESL credit classes.
These classes are designed to improve
students' language skills to enable them to successfully complete academic
coursework. Students who do not meet the minimum English language requirements will be required to take courses in the non-credit Iowa
Intensive English Program prior to beginning University coursework.
English
Language Proficiency Requirement International Students:
All international students with
a TOEFL iBT score of less than 100 (600/250, paper/computer) are required
to take the English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) prior
to their first registration. Some graduate departments require all students
to take the exam, regardless of TOEFL score. Students are not allowed to register
until this evaluation has been taken. The University charges students' accounts $30 for the EPE.
U.S. Students:
U.S. students whose first language
is not English may also be required to take the English Proficiency Evaluation as part of the Orientation and Registration program. Exceptions to this requirement are made for students whose ACT English score
is 21 or higher (SAT I verbal score of 540 or above) and for those who score
100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT (600/250, paper/computer).
EPE Results/Enrollment Policies
Results of the EPE are given
to undergraduates at their academic orientation. Results of the EPE for
graduate students are sent to departments to be given to the student's academic
advisor, so students should check with their advisors for results. If you
check with your department and they do not have your results, please have
the department call the ESL Office. In compliance with confidentiality procedures,
under no circumstances will results be given to students over the phone.
Based on the results of the
EPE, students will be told one of three things:
—that no further work in English is necessary,
—that they are required to take ESL classes, or
—that they are required to take classes in the Iowa Intensive English Program before beginning
regular coursework, and/or are limited in the number of credit hours of regular
coursework that can be taken. This occurs in cases where a student scores
below the level required for academic work.
If the EPE indicates that coursework
is necessary, the courses are REQUIRED for all students. For undergraduates,
any required ESL classes must be taken before taking Rhetoric classes. To enroll, the student should come to the ESL Office.
ESL courses cannot be taken
Pass/No Pass or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
ESL courses must be taken for
3 semester hours.
Once enrolled, undergraduate
students are not allowed to drop required ESL courses.
Individuals such as post-docs
and visiting professors who are interested in taking ESL classes must also
be enrolled in the University in order to take ESL classes. For information
regarding special student enrollment procedures, please contact the International
Admissions office (115 Calvin Hall, 319-335-1534).
Spaces in ESL classes will be
made available to students who are not required to take the classes if space
is available and the class is appropriate for the student. Students who
are not required may place their names on waiting lists for the classes
after those who are required have registered. After the first few days of
each semester, class lists will be verified with instructors, and if there
is room in the classes, the spaces will be offered to students on the waiting
lists.
Registration for all ESL classes
requires special permission. Students may obtain permission by going to
the ESL Office in 1112 University Capitol Centre. Permission cannot be given to students
over the phone or via e-mail.
EPE Re-testing
Students who wish to be re-evaluated
may do so one time only. At least one ESL class must be taken first. Students
who wish to be retested should go to the ESL Office at 1112 University Capitol Centre to receive
permission and information about the test date. Typically, retests occur in November and April. Testees will be charged $30.
Course Descriptions
Courses taken to meet the English
proficiency requirement may not be taken P/N or S/U, and must be taken for three
credit hours. For undergraduates, all required ESL courses must be completed
before registration in Rhetoric courses. Once enrolled, undergraduate students
may not drop required ESL courses. The courses are taught by TAs in the Department
of Linguistics.
103:184 ESL CONVERSATION SKILLS,
3 s.h.
This course provides a structured
opportunity to develop fluency in spoken English. Class members study and practice
speaking skills needed to function appropriately in a U.S. academic setting
as well as in U.S. society in general. Students also are introduced to some
pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary related to the goal of communicative
competence.
103:185 ESL PRONUNCIATION & ORAL SKILLS, 3 s.h.
The emphasis in this course is on
the development of skills appropriate to formal speaking, as well as on the
diagnosis and correction of persistent pronunciation problems, and on the correct
use of stress and intonation. Students practice giving oral presentations and
participate in discussions on assigned topics. Work outside class in the Language
Media Center is required.
103:186 ESL GRAMMAR, 3 s.h.
This class studies the structures
of English with particular focus on patterns of grammar which are frequently
troublesome for nonnative speakers of English. Students practice applying these
structures through extensive speaking and writing, and by completing a variety
of exercises and writing brief essays.
103:187 ESL WRITING, 3 s.h.
The emphasis of this course is on
discourse considerations, more complex grammatical constructions, and the usage
of formal vocabulary of the type expected of university students. Students practice
various styles of organization, types of argumentation, and methods of analysis
used in academic writing.
103:189 ESL READING SKILLS, 3 s.h.
This course focuses on increasing
reading speed and comprehension of the sort of writing and vocabulary encountered
by university students. Exercises, discussion, and note-taking assignments are
used to develop skills of critical analysis.
ESL credit courses are offered only in the spring and fall semesters. Up-to-date schedule information is also available on ISIS.
*If you are a University of Iowa employee looking for English instruction, please consider enrolling in Communication Skills for Professionals. It is an intensive English course only available to people who are already in the U.S. We are not able to issue immigration documents for this course, and it is not a full-time program. Please visit the link above to learn more about this course.
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