Texas Tech University
Academic English as a Second Language Program
To: All newly arriving graduate and undergraduate international students
From: Dr. Greta Gorsuch, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures,
Texas Tech University
Re: English language proficiency testing after your arrival at Texas Tech in August, 2006
Date: June 30, 2006
After your arrival at Texas Tech and before class registration (August 18 or August 24), you will be taking two English proficiency tests. These tests are required. One is the American College Testing Listening Comprehension Test and the other is the American College Testing ESL Writing Test. Both of these tests are computer adaptive (much like the computer version of the TOEFL) and will take you about ninety minutes to complete.
The purpose of this test is to offer you and your graduate or undergraduate advisor useful information on your English listening and writing skills that will be essential to your success as a student at Texas Tech University. If necessary, your advisor will advise you to take English skills courses that can be counted towards your graduate or undergraduate degree plan . Indeed, registration in these English (ESL) courses may enable you to take a proposed minor in this subject (ESL), which will likely result in better employment prospects when you have finished your degree.
When: Check-in for international students will take place at the International Cultural Center from Wednesday, August 16 to Friday, August 18. There are two test dates timed to the check-in dates. We strongly advise you report for the earliest test date possible to avoid problems with your course registration. The tests are offered on Friday, August 18 from 9 AM to 5 PM, and again on Thursday, August 24 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The Thursday, August 24 date is only for emergency cases, where an international student could not take the test earlier due to visa problems. You must arrive at the test center no later than 4 PM on August 18 and 12 noon on August 24.
Location: Tests on both dates will be held in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center located in the Main University Library. Go to the east entrance of the library (across from the Student Union Building), enter the library and turn to your right. At the far end of the building you will see signs and also a wall sized television display. This is the TLTC (Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center).
After you have taken both ACT tests, your scores will appear on your TechSIS file online as well as one of the three following recommendations for each area: One for listening and one for writing:
-Registration in ESL courses probably not necessary
-Registration in ESL courses probably necessary
-Registration in ESL courses strongly recommended
Descriptive information as to what the test scores mean in terms of your English listening score can be seen at: http://www.act.org/esl/descript.html and for writing at http://www.act.org/e-write/scale-esl.html
To: All Undergraduate and Graduate Advisors, Department Chairpersons, Department Staff with international student contact, and Academic Deans
From: Dr. Greta Gorsuch, Director of ESL Testing, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, greta.gorsuch@ttu.edu
Date: June 21, 2006
Re: August, 2006 ESL testing for newly arrived international students
English as a Second Language Program and Assessment at
Texas Tech University
For International Students Who Have Been Accepted for Graduate and Undergraduate Study at Texas Tech University starting Fall, 2006
Texas Tech University has a longstanding policy of offering English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and assessments to international students whose native language is not English. These courses and assessments are integral to the ultimate success of international students at Texas Tech.
ESL testing for all newly arrived international students. In cooperation with the International Affairs Office, newly arrived international students will be assessed using two computer adaptive tests, one on academic listening, and another on academic writing developed by the American College Testing Program. When students arrive for check-in at the International Affairs Office at the International Cultural Center, they will be given specific information on the date, time, and location of the test, plus a map to get to the testing location. If English is the international student’s native language and they are from one of the following countries, they do not have to take the test: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Grenada, Guayana, Ireland, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad, Tobago, United Kingdom, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Description of Listening and Writing ESL Tests
The ACT Listening Comprehension Test and eWrite Test are taken on a computer in a quiet and comfortable setting. The Listening Comprehension Test estimates international students’ listening skills needed for academic settings. The ESL eWrite Test estimates their ability to write academic content. The Listening Test will take approximately 10-25 minutes to complete. The eWrite Test has a time limit of 45 minutes, although students may finish sooner. Their total test time will be approximately 90 minutes. There is no charge for the test.
Test Dates and Times
The tests are offered on Friday, August 18, 2006 from 9 AM to 5 PM, and again on Thursday, August 24, 2006 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The Thursday, August 24 date is only for emergency cases, where an international student could not take the test earlier due to visa problems. Students must arrive at the test center no later than 4 PM on August 18 and 12 noon on August 24. We strongly advise students report for the earliest test date possible to avoid problems with their course registration.
Test Location
Tests on both dates will be held in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center located in the Main University Library. Go to the east entrance of the library (across from the Student Union Building), enter the library and turn to your right. At the far end of the building you will see signs and also a wall sized television display. This is the TLTC (Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center).
ESL Testing for New Arrived International Teaching Assistants
Some newly arrived international graduate students are also International Teaching Assistant (ITA) candidates. They will have attended the ITA Summer Workshop from July 24 to August 11, and will already have taken the ACT Listening Comprehension Test. They are still required to take the ACT eWrite test.
Scores
Two scores will be generated, one for the Listening Test and one for the eWrite Test. These scores, plus a descriptive interpretation and recommendation will be available within 24 hours. The scores will appear on individual student’s Techsis reports within the same time frame. Students may not take the tests more than once. The tests are very accurate.
When advisors consult individual student’s Techsis records, the scores will appear on screen 136 or screen 221 as:
ACTLC (ACT Listening Comprehension Test)
ACTEW (ACT eWrite Test)
Advisors must go to the HOLD screen (#148) where comments will appear for each test result, with one of the following recommendations:
-Registration in ESL courses probably not necessary
-Registration in ESL courses probably necessary
-Registration in ESL courses strongly recommended
Faxed score reports are available upon request by advisors. We ask departmental staff who see or receive score reports in whatever form to ensure the appropriate advisor gets the test scores at the earliest opportunity. International students in need will benefit most from timely advising (i.e., before they register for Fall, 2006 classes).
Our Fall, 2006 ESL Course Offerings
LING 7000.001 English Classroom Management (for ITAs)* TTR 12:30 – 1:50 PM
CMLL 4300.002/LING 7000.002 Academic Listening Skills MWF 11 – 11:50 AM
CMLL 4300.003/LING 7000.003 Academic Writing (graduate) MWF 2 – 2:50 PM
*Only for graduate students who have been offered a teaching assistantship by their departments.
The graduate level ESL courses will allow international graduate students to apply the credits towards their degree plans. We believe this is essential in encouraging students to pursue excellence in their English skills, which will enhance their performance in academic departments and will significantly improve their job prospects once they enter the international employment market.
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Greta Gorsuch, Director of ESL Testing, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, greta.gorsuch@ttu.edu
Dr. Dale Griffee, Director of the ITA Training Program, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, dale.griffee@ttu.edu
Ms. Melissa Dalzell, Assistant Advisor, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, melissa.dalzell@ttu.edu
Maintained by Melissa Dalzell . Last updated on June 30, 2006.