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English Proficiency Requirement F.A.Q.

English Proficiency Requirement for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

English Proficiency Requirement for International Students

English Proficiency Requirement for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Q: What is the purpose of the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: To assure that speakers whose first language is not English know English well enough to

study without being hindered by language problems,

understand class lecture and discussions, and

participate successfully in class discussions.

Q: Who is subject to the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: Anyone whose first language is not English, even those who have graduated from high schools and two-year colleges in the United States with passing grades in English classes. Our experience shows that such grades are not a reliable indicator of English proficiency. Exceptions are made for students whose TOEFL score is 100 or above on the internet-based test (600 on the paper test and 250 on the computer test).

Q: What do I have to do to fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: Complete the English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) before your first registration for classes at the University. The EPE takes 90 minutes and comprises an oral interview (15 minutes), a writing sample (30 minutes), and a multiple-choice reading test (45 minutes). Based on the results of the evaluation, you may

be allowed to take a full academic course load excluding ESL courses;

be required to enroll in one or more of the following ESL courses:

103:184, ESL Conversation Skills (3 semester hours)

103:185, ESL Pronunciation and Oral Skills (3 semester hours)

103:186, ESL Grammar (3 semester hours)

103:187, ESL Writing Skills (3 semester hours)

103:189, ESL Reading Skills (3 semester hours); or

be required to enroll in the Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) until your language proficiency reaches an appropriate level. (IIEP courses are non-credit bearing and participants pay IIEP tuition and fees.)

Q: How do I make arrangements to take the English Proficiency Evaluation?

A: An appointment will be made for you when you come to campus for an orientation program.

English Proficiency Requirement for International Students

Q: What is the purpose of the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: To assure that speakers whose first language is not English know English well enough to

study without being hindered by language problems,

understand class lecture and discussions, and

participate successfully in class discussions.

Q: Who is subject to the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: Anyone whose first language is not English, and whose TOEFL score is below 100 on the Internet-based test (250 on the computer test and 600 on the paper test). If you took the IELTS instead of the TOEFL, contact the Admissions Office for information about acceptable score ranges.

Many graduate departments require their students to be evaluated even if their TOEFL scores surpass these requirements. Even students who have graduated with passing grades in English classes from U.S. high schools and two-year colleges are subject to this requirement.

Q: What do I have to do to fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement?

A: Complete the on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) before your first registration for classes at the University. The EPE takes 90 minutes and comprises an oral interview (15 minutes), a writing sample (30 minutes), and a multiple-choice reading test (45 minutes). Based on the results of the evaluation, you may

be allowed to take a full academic course load excluding ESL courses;

be required to enroll in one or more of the following ESL courses:

103:184, ESL Conversation Skills (3 semester hours)

103:185, ESL Pronunciation and Oral Skills (3 semester hours)

103:186, ESL Grammar (3 semester hours)

103:187, ESL Writing Skills (3 semester hours)

103:189, ESL Reading Skills (3 semester hours); or

be required to enroll in the Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) until your language proficiency reaches an appropriate level. (IIEP courses are non-credit bearing and participants pay IIEP tuition and fees.)

Undergraduate students who test into ESL courses are required to complete these courses before registering for rhetoric. Completion of ESL courses is a requirement for graduation.

Graduate students who test into ESL courses are required to register for at least one ESL course during their first semester. Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to register for the following session.

Q: How do I make arrangements to take the English Proficiency Evaluation?

A: When you check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), an appointment to take the EPE will be scheduled for you. If you are not required to check in at OISS, make arrangements to take the EPE with the ESL Programs Office by sending an e-mail to esl-program@uiowa.edu. (Be sure to include in your message that you are not required to check in at OISS.)

Questions about the English Proficiency Requirement should be directed to the Office of Admissions at 1-800-553-IOWA or 319-335-1549.

What Our Students Say Conditional Undergraduate Admission TOEFL Linguistics/ TESL at Iowa Photo Gallery	English Proficiency Requirement F.A.Q. English Proficiency Requirement for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents English Proficiency Requirement for International Students English Proficiency Requirement for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Q: What is the purpose of the English Proficiency Requirement? A: To assure that speakers whose first language is not English know English well enough to study without being hindered by language problems, understand class lecture and discussions, and participate successfully in class discussions. Q: Who is subject to the English Proficiency Requirement? A: Anyone whose first language is not English, even those who have graduated from high schools and two-year colleges in the United States with passing grades in English classes. Our experience shows that such grades are not a reliable indicator of English proficiency. Exceptions are made for students whose TOEFL score is 100 or above on the internet-based test (600 on the paper test and 250 on the computer test). Q: What do I have to do to fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement? A: Complete the English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) before your first registration for classes at the University. The EPE takes 90 minutes and comprises an oral interview (15 minutes), a writing sample (30 minutes), and a multiple-choice reading test (45 minutes). Based on the results of the evaluation, you may be allowed to take a full academic course load excluding ESL courses; be required to enroll in one or more of the following ESL courses: 103:184, ESL Conversation Skills (3 semester hours) 103:185, ESL Pronunciation and Oral Skills (3 semester hours) 103:186, ESL Grammar (3 semester hours) 103:187, ESL Writing Skills (3 semester hours) 103:189, ESL Reading Skills (3 semester hours); or be required to enroll in the Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) until your language proficiency reaches an appropriate level. (IIEP courses are non-credit bearing and participants pay IIEP tuition and fees.) Q: How do I make arrangements to take the English Proficiency Evaluation? A: An appointment will be made for you when you come to campus for an orientation program. English Proficiency Requirement for International Students Q: What is the purpose of the English Proficiency Requirement? A: To assure that speakers whose first language is not English know English well enough to study without being hindered by language problems, understand class lecture and discussions, and participate successfully in class discussions. Q: Who is subject to the English Proficiency Requirement? A: Anyone whose first language is not English, and whose TOEFL score is below 100 on the Internet-based test (250 on the computer test and 600 on the paper test). If you took the IELTS instead of the TOEFL, contact the Admissions Office for information about acceptable score ranges. Many graduate departments require their students to be evaluated even if their TOEFL scores surpass these requirements. Even students who have graduated with passing grades in English classes from U.S. high schools and two-year colleges are subject to this requirement. Q: What do I have to do to fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement? A: Complete the on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) before your first registration for classes at the University. The EPE takes 90 minutes and comprises an oral interview (15 minutes), a writing sample (30 minutes), and a multiple-choice reading test (45 minutes). Based on the results of the evaluation, you may be allowed to take a full academic course load excluding ESL courses; be required to enroll in one or more of the following ESL courses: 103:184, ESL Conversation Skills (3 semester hours) 103:185, ESL Pronunciation and Oral Skills (3 semester hours) 103:186, ESL Grammar (3 semester hours) 103:187, ESL Writing Skills (3 semester hours) 103:189, ESL Reading Skills (3 semester hours); or be required to enroll in the Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) until your language proficiency reaches an appropriate level. (IIEP courses are non-credit bearing and participants pay IIEP tuition and fees.) Undergraduate students who test into ESL courses are required to complete these courses before registering for rhetoric. Completion of ESL courses is a requirement for graduation. Graduate students who test into ESL courses are required to register for at least one ESL course during their first semester. Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to register for the following session. Q: How do I make arrangements to take the English Proficiency Evaluation? A: When you check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), an appointment to take the EPE will be scheduled for you. If you are not required to check in at OISS, make arrangements to take the EPE with the ESL Programs Office by sending an e-mail to esl-program@uiowa.edu. (Be sure to include in your message that you are not required to check in at OISS.) Questions about the English Proficiency Requirement should be directed to the Office of Admissions at 1-800-553-IOWA or 319-335-1549.

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