Generally, if you are a non-native English speaker, and/or your academic background is in a language other than English, then you might need to prove English proficiency when applying to programs taught in English.
This is a fuzzy area for many Third Culture Kids who come from a mixture of languages spoken at home and school. For example, my own kids, born only 18 months apart, had very different experiences when they applied to undergraduate programs in the US. My children are US citizens born and raised in Brazil who speak English and Portuguese as first languages. They studied in Brazilian schools with Portuguese-language instruction. The universities on my son's list required that he prove English proficiency because of his academic background, which he fulfilled by taking the TOEFL. Two years later my daughter applied without an English proficiency score. None of the schools on her list required it because English is one of her first languages. Clearly, the first step is to check with the institutions on your list to understand their requirements.
Understand the institution’s requirements. Requirements may vary for
· different academic programs
· applicants from different countries
· applicants from different academic backgrounds
University websites, while rich in information, can be very confusing. Make sure you find the right requirements for the right program. They may vary between undergraduate and graduate programs, or by major. The admissions website has the most up-to date information. Be aware that testing websites and admissions experts’ blogs might not have the latest information.
An international student can usually prove English proficiency in three ways:
· surpassing a minimum score on a proficiency test accepted by the institution
· academic coursework
· completion of a bridge or pathway program
TESTING
There are a variety of English proficiency exams used all over the world. Here are some of the more popular ones:
TOEFL
The TOEFLiBT, administered by ETS.org, is the most widely accepted English proficiency exam worldwide. It is offered 3 ways:
· the traditional test at a test center
· the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
· TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
The test has 4 sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) that measure academic English skills, and is approximately 3 hours long. Each of the four sections has a possible of 30 points maximum, totally 120 points overall. Some institutions require a minimum overall score, while others may require minimums in each section.
Those who take the Home Edition will learn their Reading and Listening scores on test day but need to wait 6-10 days to receive their full scores.
The cost runs about US $215 and requires the tester to schedule a test date, even for the Home Edition. Test takers confident in their preparation can choose up to four institutions to receive their scores free of charge, however they must indicate this choice before taking the test. There is a fee of US$20 per institution to send scores after test day. Most institutions will require official test scores sent from ets.org. Scores are valid for two years.
Recently, ETS added another option – The TOEFL Essentials, which test measures Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, using a multistage adaptive design, in about 1 ½ hours. It is more affordable and sending scores is free and unlimited. The downside is that it is not yet accepted at many institutions.
The ETS site has some useful but limited free content and a series of insightful videos to help the test taker prepare. They also sell test prep materials.
In my experience tutoring students preparing for the TOEFL, success depends on understanding the test’s content. Knowing what to expect and dedicating many hours to especially Speaking and Writing practice is highly recommended. Even a tester with a high level of fluency may not do well on the test if not prepared.
Pros: The TOEFLiBT is the most widely accepted test.
Cons: It’s expensive, long and requires dedicated preparation to understand the test’s format and content.
Duolingo English Test
The language learning app Duolingo launched an online proficiency test that has grown in popularity and become widely accepted at many US universities since the pandemic. It is very convenient because the test is available on demand. The test takes the one-hour test costs US$49, and the results are ready in 2 days. Testers can send their scores to more than 3000 institutions for free. Scores are valid for two years.
The test scores
· Literacy (ability to read and write)
· Comprehension (ability to listen and read)
· Conversation (ability to speak and listen)
· Production (ability to write and speak)
There is a 10-minute final section in which the tester completes a writing and speaking sample. The maximum score is 160. The Duolingo site has a very handy 15-minute free practice test testers can take multiple times. I also recommend watching the
The test content is shorter than the TOEFL, but not easier. Test takers will find success if they are already spending time developing fluency of all skills. It requires the test taker to be spontaneous, think quickly and be creative in their answers. To prepare for the DET I suggest developing strong skills by
· reading a wide variety of topics
· listening to podcasts
· practicing describing ideas, feelings, things, and events out loud
· organizing one’s ideas in clear concise writing
What’s nice, is this kind of practice is what anyone interested in spending time in an English-language academic environment should be doing anyway.
Pros: It’s short, inexpensive, convenient, and it does not require dedicated study of test format and content, but rather encourages a study of English in general
Cons: It’s not accepted everywhere
IELTS
The IELTS is a proficiency exam developed by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge Assessment English. It is designed to help individuals seeking to work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and USA. There are different IELTS tests. The IELTS Academic is used for applying to university and other educational programs.
The 2-hour and 45-minute test assesses the ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English, graded on a scale of 1-9. Testing takes place at one of more than 1600 test centers in more than 140 countries. There is also an online version that you can take at home. Results for the online test are available in 3-6 days, while the results from test center tests take longer. The IELTS site has training materials including an official graded practice test.
Applicants can request to send their IELTS results to up to five institutions free of charge. There is a fee for additional score sends. The cost to take the IELTS either online or at a test center in Brazil around R$1150.
Pros: The online version is convenient. IELTS accepted at many programs in Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Cons: It’s expensive, long and requires dedicated preparation to understand the test’s format and content.
SAT and ACT
While these are not English proficiency exams, some institutions will accept them in the place of a proficiency exam if they surpass a minimum requirement. For the SAT, institutions may accept a strong Evidence-based Reading and Writing score, while for the ACT, they may accept a strong English-section score. This is a convenient option for applicants already planning to take one of these tests. Check with the school’s admissions website if the school accepts one of these scores in place of a proficiency test. If they do, verify if official scores are required at the time of application, or if an applicant can self-report their scores, saving themselves the score sending fee.
Pros: Convenient for the applicant already planning to take one of these tests
Cons: The policy of accepting a minimum SAT or Act score in the place of a proficiency test is used by only some institutions.
ACADEMIC COURSEWORK
Some institutions may accept International Baccalaureate (IB), British Ordinary Level English Exam results, or transfer credit from coursework done in English elsewhere as proof of English proficiency. If you feel you may have adequate academic experience to fulfill this requirement, check the university’s admissions website to confirm this.
PATHWAY or BRIDGE PROGRAMS
Sometimes an international student who does not meet a minimum English proficiency test score or have the necessary academic coursework will be able to fulfill this requirement through a university program preparing them for the institution's academic expectations. Sometimes these programs are short, taking place in the summer before the first semester of study. Others may be year long programs.