ESLP Placement Testing
English Placement Test
Who Should Take the Placement Test?
The English Placement Test is administered to all students interested in enrolling in ESLP courses. All undergraduate international students are required to take the test. Additionally, any undergraduate or graduate student whose native language is not English and who is interested in enrolling in an ESLP course is welcome to take the test.
What is the Format of the Placement Test?
The test is two-hour exam that consists of three sections: writing, listening, and reading. The writing section requires students to read a short article and to respond by writing an essay, using information from the text along with their own thinking and reasoning. The listening section asks students to listen to a short academic lecture, take notes, summarize the lecture, and answer comprehension questions about the lecture. The reading section involves reading a short article and answering questions about it. This section also includes grammar and vocabulary items.
When is the Placement Test Offered?
The Fall 2024 English Placement Test will be administered in person on Tuesday, August 20th.
International TA Placement Test
Who Should Take the International TA Placement TEST?
The International TA Placement Test is required for all new incoming international TAs who are non-U.S. citizens and whose native language is not English. The results of the test may place students into ESLP courses.
What is the Format of the International TA Placement TEST?
The placement test consists of the English Placement Test plus a micro-teaching assignment, which assesses the TAs speaking and presentation skills. The micro-teaching assignment asks the TAs to give a 6-8 minute presentation on a basic concept in their field to an introductory undergraduate audience with little to no background in their field. After the presentation, the TAs are asked to field questions related to the presentation and/or their field.
When is the Placement Test Offered?
The International TA Placement Test is administered during the International Teaching Assistant Program held two weeks before the start of the fall semester. It is also offered during the new international student orientation program, which takes place the week before each semester starts. The test should be taken before international TAs begin their employment.
If you are a new international TA and have not received information about the International Teaching Assistant Program and/or the International TA Placement Test, please contact the English as a Second Language Program staff.
