Assessment Requirements

All degree-seeking students entering the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences whose first language is other than English are required to take the Emory-Specific English Language Assessment before registering for classes. This English-proficiency assessment is not used in the admissions process, but rather for placement of students after they have arrived at Emory. Results of the assessment are used to place students who need English language support in one or more classes for the academic year.  Students must complete the courses in their particular areas of need during the first academic year.

Graduate students are required to take both the speaking and writing components of the Emory-Specific English Language Assessment. 

Oral Skills
Chart of Speaking Proficiency
Writing Skills
Testing Dates

ORAL SKILLS

The Emory Initial Oral Assessment consists of a twenty minute tape-recorded conversation between a trained interviewer and a student. The speech sample is scored by two raters and measures patterns of strengths and weaknesses establishing the student’s level of consistent functional ability. A ranking system of 1.0-4.9 is used to describe the student's oral proficiency. Based on the score attained, a student will be recommended for full participation in the TATTO Program or be required to take ESL support courses during his/her first year at Emory.

A student who receives 4.0 and above is recommended for full teaching and has no ESL course requirements whereas a student who receives 3.0-3.9 is recommended for supervised teaching and required to take two oral skills courses. No teaching is recommended for a student who scores 2.9 and below, and the student must  complete three ESL courses.

Upon completion of required ESL oral skills courses, all graduate students will take the Emory Post Oral Assessment. The Post Assessment is similar in format to the Initial Assessment and functions to show proficiency in spoken skills after completion of course requirements. Post Assessment scores and recommendations for teaching will be mailed to the students and to the Directors of Graduate Studies.

TESTING DATES

All new graduate students enrolled in a degree program in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (and for whom English is not their native language) must participate in an Emory-Specific English Language Assessment prior to registration and enrollment.

Please refer to the Fall 2007 testing schedule below for your assigned date based on academic department.

Biomedical Engineering:
Monday, August 11
Written and Spoken Assessment
8:45 am - 12:30 pm, N. Decatur Bldg., Room 101

Chemistry, Jewish Studies, Physics, Religion:
Wednesday, August 13
Written and Spoken Assessment
8:45 am - 12:30 pm, N. Decatur Bldg., Room 101

Business (PhD), Economics, Health Services Research & Health Policy: 
Monday, August 18
Written and Spoken Assessment
1:15 pm - 4:15 pm, N. Decatur Bldg., Room 101

Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Math, Nursing (PhD): 
Wednesday, August 20
Written and Spoken Assessment
8:45 am - 12:30 pm, N. Decatur Bldg., Room 101

Biostatistics, Computer Science (MS and PhD):
Thursday, August 21
Written and Spoken Assessment
8:45 am - 12:30 pm, N. Decatur Bldg., Room 101

All Other Departments:
Saturday, August 23
Written and Spoken Assessment
8:45 am - 12:30 pm, N. Decatur Bldg, Room 101

If scores on the Writing Placement and Oral Proficiency Interview indicate the need for English language support, you will enroll in a series of ESL courses during the first academic year. Upon satisfactory completion of the course sequence, you will have the opportunity to participate in the TATTO (teaching assistant) Summer Course.

The ESL curriculum consists of five courses: ESL 505: Intermediate Pronunciation and Communication Skills, ESL 515: Advanced Pronunciation and Communication Skills, ESL 516: Laboratory in Advanced Communication Skills, ESL 510: Graduate Academic Writing, and ESL 511: Laboratory in Graduate Writing.  Required for continuation in graduate school, these courses carry 2-4 hours credit and are graded S/U. Completion of these courses appears on students’ official transcripts, indicating improvement in written or spoken English specifically designed for graduate level performance.

Those students needing two ESL courses in one term will be expected to reduce their discipline specific loads to accommodate the academic requirements of English support classes. Research indicates that time taken for improvement of English skills early in one’s graduate program will be recovered as performance improves. More information about the ESL Program can be found at www.emory.edu/GSOAS/departments_programs/esl.

If you have questions about the assessment and course requirements, please contact me at (404) 727-6921 or alan.forsyth@emory.edu. I look forward to meeting you.