ESL Assessment

ESL Proficiency Test

All new international students for whom English is not the first language are required to pass an English language proficiency test administered by the ESL department or meet one of the following conditions before enrolling for their first academic quarter at the college. Students who do not meet the requirements for an ESL waiver must take the proficiency test, regardless of other test scores.

The ESL proficiency test consists of three sections as follows:

I. Writing: 30 minutes
Students will write a timed essay on a familiar topic, which is provided. Essays will be evaluated based on organization, coherence, vocabulary use, topic development, punctuation and grammar.

II. Speaking: 10-15 minutes
Students will have a short oral interview with two ESL instructors to evaluate:

• delivery (pronunciation, tone, rate, fluidity)
• topic development (coherence, elaboration, use of details and examples)
• language use (vocabulary, structure, grammar)

III. Listening, Reading, Structure: 60 minutes
Students will take a standardized, 100-question, multiple-choice test.

A short break is allowed between each section. All materials are provided. No dictionaries or notes are allowed. The best way to prepare for the placement test is to relax, be alert and rested. There is no need to study for the test. Students' results will determine the appropriate level of ESL required before enrolling in regular academic courses of the college. ESL courses will lengthen the amount of time required to complete a degree at SCAD.

ESL Waiver

ESL courses may be waived upon successful performance on the ESL proficiency test. The ESL proficiency test and ESL courses may be waived if one of the following conditions is met and supporting documentation is provided:

• The student is a resident of a country where English is the official language, as determined by the U.S. Department of State.
• The student has attended grades 9-12 in a high school where English is the official medium of instruction or has earned an IB diploma in the last two years of study.
• The undergraduate student has received a diploma or degree from another college or university where English is the official medium of instruction.
• The graduate student has earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university where English is the official medium of instruction.
• The undergraduate student has passed the equivalent of English 123/193 at an accredited college or university.
• The student is a naturalized U.S. citizen, has been a Fulbright/Humphrey exchange scholar or is a participant in the Ministry of Education Scholarship Program for overseas study in art and design..
• The student has earned a minimum score of 500 on the verbal section of the SAT or ACT equivalent.
• The student has earned a minimum score of 500 on the verbal section of the GRE.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language is the preferred method of measuring the ability of non-native speakers of English. The following TOEFL scores are required to exempt ESL testing and courses:

1. Internet-based TOEFL: total 85 with minimum of 23 in speaking, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 18 in reading, or
2. Paper-based TOEFL: total 550 with a score of 5.0 on the TWE (this version is currently being phased out in most parts of the world).

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): total 6.5 with minimum scores of 6.5 in both speaking and writing. For tests taken prior to Jan. 1, 2008, students must score a total of 6.5 total with scores of 7.0 in both speaking and writing.
  

In all other cases where an incoming international student requests an exemption from ESL, a personal interview with the director of ESL or designee is required.

Any student who is provided a waiver (exemption) of ESL and fails any single course due to language deficiencies (as determined by the director of ESL and the academic department chair), may be required to submit to an English language placement test. Results of the English language placement test may be used to determine what level(s) of ESL instruction, if any, is required.

 

TOEFL/IELTS Exam Policy

• ESL students who previously took the TOEFL or IETLS exam and achieved an acceptable score before those exams were recognized for ESL exemption may:

1. Present an acceptable and valid TOEFL or IETLS score, less than 2 years old, and
2. Complete and pass the ESL level in which they are currently enrolled. The following quarter, they would be exempt from further ESL courses.

• Current students enrolled in ESL may choose to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam on their own at any time. If they achieve an acceptable score on either one to exempt ESL, they must complete and pass the ESL courses in which they are currently enrolled. The following quarter, they would be exempt from further ESL courses.