What is the Oral English Proficiency
Program?
The Oral English Proficiency Program (OEPP) is the administrative
unit on campus that implements the university's policy on oral
English competency for non-native English speakers employed as
graduate teaching assistants or instructors.
What does the OEPP do?
The OEPP provides oral English proficiency screening services to all
departments on campus employing non-native speaking TAs, certifies the
oral English proficiency of teaching assistants/instructors whose first
language is not English; offers English as a second language instruction
to prospective TAs; and monitors departmental compliance with the
university policy on oral English proficiency.
How are students certified?
Students are certified either on the basis of their score on the
Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT), or on their performance in
ENGL
620, "Classroom Communication in ESL for International Teaching
Assistants," an English as a second language course in oral
communication exclusively for non-native speaking TAs. Students
may also be certified via the Test of Spoken English (TSE), TOEFL iBT,
or IELTS. See the chart below for the scores that can be accepted
for certification.
Can TSE scores be used for certification?
The IELTS? What about TOEFL or TWE scores?
The Test of Spoken English (TSE) can be used for certification
purposes. The student must have achieved a score of 50 or
higher, and the score can be no more than two years old.
Departments using the TSE scores must send a copy of original TSE
score report to the OEPP. The new TOEFL iBT features a
speaking section, and a minimum speaking score of 27 is accepted for
certification. Because the written or computer-based TOEFL and the TWE do not test for oral
proficiency, they cannot be used for the oral English proficiency
certification of potential teaching assistants. Purdue will
also accept a score of 7 on the International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) for certification.
| Test |
Scores Accepted for Oral English Certification* |
|
Oral English
Proficiency Test |
5 or 6 |
|
Test of Spoken English
(TSE) |
50 or 60 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
27 or higher on
the Speaking Section |
|
IELTS |
7 |
|
TOEFL
(Computer or paper-based test) |
Not accepted for
oral English certification |
|
Test of Written
English |
Not accepted for
oral English certification |
|
SPEAK (from other
institutions) |
Not accepted for
oral English certification |
*Scores shown are for oral English certification only. Cut-off
scores for admission have been established separately by the Graduate
School and individual departments.
If a student was certified by Purdue's
Math or Foreign Languages department, does this certify them to work in
other Purdue departments?
No. The Math and FLL department have
approved alternative departmental screening procedures that meet the
unique needs of their departments. Therefore, students certified
through these departments are certified only to be teaching assistants
in the department conducting the screening. Students who wish to
be TAs in other university departments must be certified by one of the
methods shown on the chart above.
If a student has received a degree from
an American college or university, do they still have to take the OEPT
to be a TA?
Yes. A degree from an American
college or university does not certify a student in oral English
proficiency nor exempt them from the test.
We have a student who is classified as
a resident alien. Are they required to take the OEPT to be a TA?
The University policy does not go by
citizenship or resident status, but by native language. If the
student did not grow up speaking English in the home as their first
language, they are required to be certified before holding a TA position
that involves direct undergraduate student contact.
What is the Oral English Proficiency Test?
The OEPT is a computer based test used by the OEPP to screen
potential TAS for language proficiency. While taking the test,
candidates respond to a variety of questions, present information, and
speak extemporaneously on a range of topics. The responses are
recorded and evaluated by at least two trained raters. A score of 5 or
higher is required for certification.
What do the OEPT scores mean?
A score of 5 or 6 means a student is
certified in oral English proficiency at Purdue University. A score of 3
or 4 means the student must take ENGL 620 (formerly called ENGL 001T) and be certified before being placed in a
position involving direct student instructional contact. To view
the OEPT scale, click here.
When is the OEPT offered?
The OEPT is offered throughout the year. Notices of testing
dates are sent to departments prior to each screening period. The
schedule is also available on our
website.
How do I sign up to take the OEPT?
If your department wishes to hire you as a teaching assistant, they
should contact the OEPP secretary to schedule a time for you to take the
test. Contact the graduate studies office of your department for more
information.
How can students prepare for the OEPT?
It is very important for students to prepare
for the OEPT by using the
OEPT on-line tutorial
and practice test.
Students who are newly arrived on campus should be given at least 48
hours to rest and recover from jet lag prior to being scheduled for the
test. If the student is unable to access the tutorial and practice
test on their computer, they may take the practice test in the OEPP lab
on the 8th floor of Young Hall.
What happens if a student is not certified by the screening?
Students who do not get a score of 5 or higher are placed on the
waiting list to enroll in ENGL 620
(formerly known as ENGL 001T). At the end of the
semester of instruction, reconsideration for certification is made
on the basis of the student's performance in the course.
Students who have not been certified are not allowed, by university
policy, to hold positions involving the direct instruction of
undergraduates.
How soon can a student take the
OEPT again if they are not certified?
The test can be taken again after one year. Please see the
OEPT Retest Policy page for more
information.
How do students register for
ENGL 620 (formerly ENGL 001T)?
The OEPP works with department liaisons to select the students
who need to be enrolled in ENGL 620. Once students are
selected to take the course, the OEPP office handles registration
procedures.
What other resources exist in the community for English
instruction?
Visit our Community
Resources page for more information. |
