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 are required to complete an English Placement Evaluation (EPE) before their first registration for classes. Some graduate departments may require students to complete an English Placement Evaluation regardless of their TOEFL score. Students are required to complete any ESL coursework specified as a result of the English Placement Evaluation.
Courses are offered in oral skills, pronunciation, grammar, reading, writing, and listening. Students must be enrolled at The University of Iowa in order to take ESL credit classes. View course policies and course descriptions. These classes are designed to improve students' language skills to enable them to successfully complete academic coursework.
English proficiency requirement
If you are an international student and your first language is not English and your TOEFL score is below 100 on the internet-based test, you are subject to this requirement.
The English Proficiency Requirement ensures that speakers whose first language is not English know English well enough to
- Study without being hindered by language problems,
- Understand class lectures and discussions, and
- Participate successfully in class discussions
All international students with a TOEFL iBT score of less than 100 (600 paper-based) are required to take the English Placement Evaluation (EPE) prior to their first registration. Some graduate departments require all students to take the exam, regardless of TOEFL score. If you took the IELTS or another test instead of the TOEFL, contact the Admissions Office for information about acceptable score ranges. Students are not allowed to register until this evaluation has been taken. The University charges students' accounts $120 for the EPE.
The components of the requirement are:
- The completion of an on-campus English Placement Evaluation (EPE) before initial registration for classes at the University
- All students are required to satisfactorily complete any course(s) specified as a result of the evaluation
- Undergraduate students are required to complete their English as a Second Language (ESL) courses during their first year and before registering for Rhetoric and Interpretation of Literature. Students are required to enroll in classes each semester until they are completed. Completion of English as a Second Language courses is a requirement for graduation
- Graduate students are required to register for at least one English as a Second Language course during their first semester. Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to register for the following session
How to fulfill the English proficiency requirement
Complete the English Placement Evaluation (EPE) before your first registration for classes at the University. An appointment will be made by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for you to take the EPE. In some rare situations, a student will not be required to check in at ISSS. If this is the case, 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 ISSS.
The EPE takes 2.5 hours overall. Based on the results of the evaluation, you may:
- be allowed to take a full academic course load excluding ESL courses; or
- be required to enroll in one or more of the following ESL courses:
- ESL:4100 Academic Oral Skills (3 semester hours)
- ESL:4130 Academic Listening Skills (3 semester hours)
- ESL:4180 Academic Writing & Grammar for Undergraduates (4 semester hours)
- ESL:4200 Academic Reading Skills (3 semester hours)
- ESL:6200 Writing & Grammar for Graduate Students (3 semester hours)
If the EPE indicates that coursework is necessary, the courses are required for graduation. For more information on ESL credit courses, including course policies and descriptions, see ESL Credit Courses.
Questions about the English Proficiency Requirement should be directed to the Office of Admissions at 1-800-553-IOWA or 319-335-1549.
What is the English Placement Evaluation?
The English Placement Evaluation (EPE) has an integrated test design that assesses test takers' language skills for successful engagement in academic courses using authentic tasks found in university classrooms.
Why is there a local placement test for English?
While standardized tests can be useful for some purposes, they may not always align with the skills needed to be successful in the classroom. Due to the high-stakes nature of these tests, some students take preparation or cram courses in order to boost their scores. These courses may emphasize test-taking strategies rather than language abilities. Also, many of the tasks on major standardized tests involve mostly multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank items. It is possible for students to learn strategies that boost test scores for these tasks without really improving general language abilities.
The English Placement Evaluation (EPE) is based on local data about language use in actual University of Iowa coursework, incorporating tasks identified in syllabi, faculty surveys, classroom observations, and textbook analyses. The EPE is an integrated test with authentic tasks that involve critical thinking and synthesis of multiple sources. These tasks help us better measure how students will be able to apply their English language skills in the context where it counts: right here on campus.
What should I expect on the EPE?
Tasks 1 and 2: 60 minutes
- You will read two sources that are each about 900 words
- Source 1 will present a problem
- Source 2 will present a solution to the problem in Source 1
- You must identify five main idea sentences in each reading text
- You must answer five multiple choice questions
- Finally, you must write a summary for each reading text
Task 3: 30 minutes
- You will listen one time to an 8-10 minute lecture
- Source 3 will present another solution to the problem in Source 1
- You must then answer five multiple choice questions about the listening text
- Finally, you must write a summary of the listening text
Task 4: 30 minutes
- In one or two paragraphs, you must write your opinion about which solution you believe is the most effective solution to the problem in Source 1
- You must refer to ideas from all three sources to support your answer
- If you have any extra time at the end, you may go back and check your answers for the other tasks
Task 5: 10 minutes
- You will have a recorded conversation with an ESL instructor.
- The conversation will begin with personal communication topics and move on to academic topics related to your major and/or general education academic topics.
- The instructor will talk at a normal speed using normal vocabulary. If you need the instructor to slow down or use different words, you can ask. It’s better to ask for help than give an off-topic answer.
- Your answers will not be assessed for content, but your language skills will be assessed for evidence of listening, pronunciation, fluency, and grammar.
- The recording will be rated by at last two trained raters using this rubric.
If students are required to take the EPE, they must do so before registration. The computer code which blocks registration will be removed once the students have completed the test.
Who needs to take the EPE?
All international students with a TOEFL iBT score of less than 100 (or other test scores as listed on the Admissions website) are required to take the EPE prior to registering for classes for their first session. These students will be informed of the test date and time on their International Student Orientation schedule and when checking in with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for orientation. If students are not required to participate in International Student Orientation, they will find information about the EPE in the admission packet they receive.
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.
Can I practice for the EPE?
A practice form of the EPE is available below. To familiarize yourself with this test, download or print the practice form and place the listening file below:
- Practice EPE for students to print.
- Practice EPE Listening text for Task 3
A practice test will help you most if you practice it exactly the same way that you will take the real test. Then you will know what to expect and you can practice using the same skills that you will use on the real test. Here are some suggestions to make your practice test more lifelike:
- Find a quiet place without distractions. Turn your phone on silent or put it in another room. Have the test printed out in front of you with some sharpened #2 pencils.
- Set a timer. The entire test should take two hours. You will have one hour for the two readings, thirty minutes for the listening, and thirty minutes for the argumentative essay.
- Listen to the listening source only one time. You will have only one time to listen in the real test. Make sure that you take good notes. You will need your notes later to help you answer the questions, write a summary, and develop your argument in your essay.
- Do not turn the page to look at the multiple choice questions for the listening until AFTER you finish listening. In the real test, you will have to listen first and look at the questions only afterwards. This means you need to focus on good notetaking instead of just skimming for the multiple choice answers.
- Make sure to use your own words in your summaries and your argumentative essay. Do not use your phone or other resources to check your grammar or vocabulary. You will only have access to your own brain during the test, so use your brain to check your grammar and vocabulary when you practice.
When should I take the EPE?
International students will be informed of the test date and time on their International Student Orientation schedule and when checking in with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for orientation or in written materials sent to them by the Office of Admissions.
When will I get the results?
All students may view their EPE results online through MyUI. Both undergraduate and graduate students will also receive their EPE results from their academic advisors. If your advisor does not have your results, ask your department. If they do not have your results, please have your department call the ESL Office. In compliance with confidentiality procedures, under no circumstances will results be given to students over the phone.
How is the EPE scored?
Your exam will be scored and rated by multiple raters. You can find the rubric for the written portion of the exam and the rubric for the oral interview below. In addition, the written portion of your exam will be scored for selection of main ideas from the readings, multiple-choice reading questions, and multiple-choice listening questions. The final score for each task will be entered into a score sheet. Multiple tasks will be used to make a decision about placement for each language skill. Scores below an average of 4/5 or tasks below 3.5/5 indicate a need for placement into a language support class for that skill.
What do my scores mean?
A description of the scoring for each section of the test and what the scores mean can be seen above.
Depending on your scores, your results will indicate one of the following:
- No further work in English is necessary or
- You are required to take ESL classes
If the EPE indicates that coursework is necessary, the courses are required for graduation. Undergraduates must complete their ESL courses in their first year of enrollment and before enrolling in Rhetoric and Interpretation of Literature. These courses may be used as elective credit for graduation. For more information on ESL credit courses, including course policies and descriptions, see ESL Credit Courses.
Is there a fee for the EPE?
Yes. The University will charge students' accounts $120 for the EPE within the first month of classes.
If I have a question about the EPE, who do I contact?
You can email ESL Programs at esl-program@uiowa.edu.
ESL credit courses
ESL Credit courses are designed to improve students' language skills to enable them to successfully complete academic coursework. They are offered in the spring and fall semesters. ESL credit courses are taught by ESL lecturers as well as TAs who are pursuing advanced degrees in the Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures. Up-to-date schedule information is available on MyUI.
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 they would like to take.
Registration for all ESL classes requires special permission. Students may obtain permission from the ESL Office in 111 Phillips Hall or from their academic advisor. Permission cannot be given to students by phone or via e-mail.
ESL course policies
- For undergraduate students, completion of all required ESL courses is a graduation requirement
- Undergraduates need to have completed all required ESL courses before enrollment in Rhetoric and Interpretation of Literature courses
- For undergraduates, all required ESL courses must be completed during their first year and before enrollment in Rhetoric and Interpretation of Literature courses. Undergraduate students held for ESL courses must enroll in a minimum number of ESL courses for their initial registration as follows:
- If held for 4 courses, the student must enroll in a minimum of 2 courses
- If held for 3 courses, the student must enroll in a minimum of 2 courses
- If held for 2 courses, the student must enroll in a minimum of 1 course
- Undergraduates held for ESL courses must be enrolled in ESL courses continuously until all ESL requirements are completed
- Undergraduates who have earned a grade of C- or lower in an ESL course will be required to repeat and pass the ESL course with a grade of C or higher before the requirement is considered fulfilled
- Courses taken to meet the English proficiency requirement may not be taken P/N or S/U
- Students are not allowed to drop their ESL course(s) once the semester begins
- During the first two weeks of classes, instructors assess students and recommend waivers for any students who demonstrate mastery of course objectives
- Students who are waived may withdraw from the ESL class without a fee and register for another class. The required ESL course is removed from the degree audit
- Students on the waitlist may not attend class or undergo the diagnostic process
- Graduate students who test into ESL courses are required to register for at least one ESL course each semester
- Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to register for the following session
- Graduate students must earn a grade of C- or higher to satisfy the requirement. This requirement is monitored by the Graduate College
- Students must be enrolled in The University of Iowa in order to take ESL credit classes. 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 Admissions Office (107 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396). The Admissions Office can be reached via e-mail at admissions@uiowa.edu and by phone at (319) 335-3847 or (800) 553-4692.
ESL course descriptions
| Course Name | Description | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESL:4100 ESL Academic Oral Skills | 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 study and practice pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary related to the goal of communicative competence. | 3 semester hours |
| ESL:4130 ESL Academic Listening Skills | This course focuses on developing listening skills necessary for success in a U.S. academic setting. Students learn strategies for listening to academic lectures, practice note-taking skills, and participate in fast-paced classroom discussions. | 3 semester hours |
| ESL:4180 ESL Academic Writing & Grammar for Undergraduates | The emphasis of this course is on discourse considerations, a variety of grammatical constructions, and the usage of formal vocabulary of the type expected of university students. While building writing fluency, students practice various styles of organization, types of argumentation, and methods of analysis used in academic writing. | 4 semester hours |
| ESL:4200 ESL Reading Skills | 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. | 3 semester hours |
| ESL:6200 ESL Academic Writing & Grammar for Graduates | This course focuses on discourse considerations and styles of organization in academic writing at the graduate level. While improving writing fluency, students identify and practice different types of argumentation and methods of analysis expected of graduate students with respect to general academic work and their specific area of study. | 3 semester hours |