ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

English Proficiency

English Language Requirements

The goal of the Vincennes University English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program is to provide international students and students whose arterial language is not English (i.e., languages spoken at home that are not English) with the English language skills needed for successful completion of developmental and University level coursework. The EAL program is required of all international students who have been admitted to the University but have not been exempted from the English proficiency requirement.  English proficiency can be demonstrated in the following ways:     

  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores of 71 or higher (students may submit iBT Traditional, Home Edition, or Paper Edition scores but the Paper-Based Test [PBT] is longer accepted),
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores of 6 or higher, or
  • Duolingo English Test overall scores of 95 or higher.

Students may be exempted from the University English proficiency requirement if they

  • Attended high school in the United States,
  • Have successfully passed a U.S. GED test,
  • Have successfully completed a Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA) accredited program at another institution, or
  • Hold a passport from a country which lists English as one of its primary official languages (e.g., Gambia, Kenya, Canada, Grenada).

In extenuating circumstances, the EAL Program Chair may allow students to take the Accuplacer ESL test (in-person or proctored) through the University to demonstrate English proficiency, but this avenue of demonstrating English proficiency is subject to the approval of the EAL Program Chair.

When students are exempted from or meet the English proficiency requirement, they may elect to enroll in EAL leveled courses (EALG 090-096) or the EAL Bridge Course (EALG 100) during their first semester to support them as they begin or transition into using U.S. English in a University setting.

At the beginning of each semester, University faculty or staff administers the Test to determine EAL course placement of EAL students.

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