Frequently Asked Questions About Placement into English Language Program Classes

The English Language Program's mission is to provide classes which increase non-native English speaking students' English language proficiency and facilitate their success in classes at Washington University. The program's curriculum is practically-oriented and challenging, focusing on "real-world" expectations. This "real-world" curricular focus is also reflected in the design of the program's placement exams. Using the results of both the composition exam and oral exam, ELP course recommendations are made if the student demonstrates weaknesses in certain English language skills areas. These recommendations are then sent to the administrative staff of department offices to be passed on to academic advisors. To help better understand the rationale for placement, some answers to the most frequently asked questions follow:

• Why would a student who has a TOEFL score above 550 need to take an ELP class?
• Why can't non-native English speaking undergraduate students go directly to Writing 1?
• Why is placement in a writing class based solely on the writing sample produced during the composition exam?
• Can't students improve their skills on their own?
• Can't students go to some of the free community programs to improve their English?
• Can't students get a friend to edit their papers?
• Can't students postpone a writing class and learn to cope by using one of the university writing centers?
• Why should students who speak fluently and/or who attended a school where English is the medium of instruction need to take an ELP writing class?
• Do undergraduate and graduate students get college credit for ELP classes?
• Is the grade for an ELP course averaged into a student's grade point average?
• Is the cost of ELP classes included in full-time tuition for undergraduate and graduate students?

---

Why would a student who has a TOEFL score above 550 need to take an ELP class?
The TOEFL exam is a multiple choice test which does not assess writing, speaking, or notetaking skills. However, the composition exam and the oral exam administered by the ELP Program do assess these productive language skills. If the results of these exams indicate language deficiencies, the student may be recommended for an ELP class to facilitate the student's improvement in that specific skill area.

Top

Why can't non-native English speaking undergraduate students go directly to Writing 1?
Instructors of Writing 1 follow a rigorous curriculum, expecting students to engage actively in the critical reading and thinking process. If a student displays a lack of grammatical control, it is unrealistic to think that student will be able to handle the simultaneous demands of processing new academic information while attempting to overcome major deficiencies in the control of English grammar. For more information about the English Composition Program, see the Writing 1 web site.

Top

Why is placement in a writing class based solely on the writing sample produced during the composition exam?
It may appear that placement is based solely on the composition exam results; however, this is not the case. Students have an opportunity to produce another writing sample on the first day of class. If the second sample exhibits fewer language problems, the placement decision is reconsidered.

Top

Can't students improve their skills on their own?
Some talented students can improve their skills on their own, but these students are the exception, not the rule. Most students need systematic practice with feedback and guidance from an instructor who understands how to help non-native English speakers improve their language skills.

Top

Can't students go to some of the free community programs to improve their English?
The free community programs teach basic survival English. At the higher education level, ELP classes focus on providing skills which students need to compete successfully in the college classroom. Usually, the free community classes are at too low a level for Washington University students to benefit from them in any significant manner.

Top

Can't students get a friend to edit their papers?
Often students do get help, but this type of help does not train them to edit their writing on their own, a skill needed in most professional work settings.

Top

Can't students postpone a writing class and learn to cope by using one of the university writing centers?
Tutorials provided by the writing centers are meant to help students on a limited basis. Improving language skills requires systematic feedback, time, and practice. Tutors can usually help students get through an assignment, but real long-term mastery of language competencies rarely occurs unless students are willing to invest the study time needed to gain control of the skills. It is unusual for students to be able to dedicate the time they need to improve on their own outside the regime of the class. Besides, tutors cannot devote their energies to the time it would take to adequately teach students with major problems, given the tutor's advisory role. In other words, if a class is recommended, class work is needed.

Top

Why should students who speak fluently and/or who attended a school where English is the medium of instruction need to take an ESL writing class?
Fluency in speaking does not guarantee writing proficiency. Placement in an ELP writing class means a student's writing sample had a sufficient number of error patterns which warrant training in editing.

Top

Do undergraduate and graduate students get college credit for ESL classes?
Each school and department has its own policy, so students are advised to contact their departments directly for clarification.

Top

Is the grade for an ELP course averaged into a student's grade point average?
Again, each school and department has its own policy, so students are advised to contact their departments directly for clarification.

Top

Is the cost of ELP classes included in full-time tuition for undergraduate and graduate students?
Undergraduates do not have to pay additional fees for ELP classes, but some graduates do. Since each graduate department has its own policy, graduate students are advised to contact their department directly for clarification.

Top