English Proficiency Testing
Friday, April 23rd, 2010Tej Kohli explains the importance of English Proficiency Testing and TOEFL exam in getting admission to the US colleges and Universities.
Proficiency in English is a very important factor in making your stay in the US a pleasurable one. Most US colleges or universities require you to take the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) before the admission is granted. This TOEFL tests your proficiency in English, both in reading and writing. Sometimes, you also need to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE), which evaluates your English speaking ability.
A student seeking admission in the US must score at least 500 on the TOEFL exam and 700 on the new computer based TOEFL. A score of 600 or more is appreciated for fields which require a higher proficiency in English language like literature or journalism, or at more selective colleges.
Some schools accept scores of other tests for English Language Proficiency, like TOEIC, MTELP, IELTS and Cambridge EFL. Others may conduct their own intensive English Program in lieu of the TOEFL. But you’re more likely to take the TOEFL to be eligible for admission at most schools.
There are some colleges what offer on-campus English as Second Language (ESL) programs, where students can get admission without appearing in the TOEFL. After completion of the ESL program, if you score high enough on the TOEFL, you will get admission to their regular academic program. However, it is less expensive to study English Language at your native place and take the TOEFL there than partaking in a school’s ESL program.
It is best to take TOEFL first, and if your score is not good enough, only then you should consider an ESL or any intensive English Program. Your TOEFL score will help you evaluate how much extra you need to study to qualify for admission.
After you get the admission, you will probably have to take the school’s own English proficiency test depending on your score in this exam, they may ask you to enroll for special classes to improve your English reading, writing, listing and speaking skills. Some schools may also offer courses designed to help you learn technical English pertaining to your field of study, make better you study skills and teach job interview and personality development skills.
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