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English Language Program

The English Language Program is committed to helping non-native English speaking graduate students become fully integrated into the academic community at Princeton . For more than 12 years the English Language Program has welcomed newly arriving international graduate students and has worked with them as they achieve academic excellence.

Towards this goal, the English Language Program provides a summer language workshop, English language courses that run throughout the year, an undergraduate conversation partner program and individualized tutorials.

English Language Program Workshop
The first step in Princeton 's program is the International Student Orientation and the ELP Workshop. This is a four-day voluntary program, held the week before academic classes begin. The purpose of the program is twofold: to acquaint students with Princeton University and its surroundings, and to help students feel more comfortable expressing themselves in English. In classes, students practice the language and learn about the American university system. The Workshop is open to all international graduate students regardless of their level of proficiency in English

The SPEAK Test
The next step in Princeton 's program is assessing students' oral English. Incoming graduate students who are non-native speakers of English are required to take the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), which is an evaluation of general oral English proficiency. During the 20 minute computerized SPEAK, students listen to recorded questions and respond to them orally. The test is administered in September, just before academic classes begin. SPEAK scores range from 20-60, with 60 as the highest possible score. Students who achieve a score of 50 or above are excused from ELP classes and are eligible to teach as Assistants in Instruction (AIs) at Princeton .

The Princeton Oral Proficiency Test
Unlike the SPEAK, the POPT evaluates oral proficiency by focusing on the specific activities common to teaching at Princeton . Students are videotaped giving brief presentations to undergraduate students and are expected to respond to questions asked by the undergraduates. In addition to the presentation, the graduate student participates in an informal discussion with an undergraduate. Faculty members from the graduate student's department are invited to observe.

All students who score a 40 or above on the SPEAK may take the POPT in January. If they pass, they are no longer required to attend ELP classes. At the end of the Spring Term, all students who are enrolled in ELP classes take the POPT. Students are required to remain in ELP classes until they pass the POPT.

Departmental Policies
The English Language Program follows guidelines established by the Graduate School . The Graduate School 's Policy Concerning English Language Proficiency can be obtained from their website (http://gradschool.princeton.edu/academics/policies/elp/).

Students will participate in approximately three hours of class time weekly. In addition, they will meet with their instructor for regular tutorials to work on pronunciation issues. Our courses are designed to help students gain confidence in speaking English in an academic setting. Courses focus on improving fluency, accuracy, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Students participate in a variety of communicative activities including videotaped presentations.

Communication for Instruction
In this course, students focus not only on spoken English skills, but also on the skills and strategies necessary for effective teaching. Although language skills are important, teaching skills are equally important when communicating in a class or lab. Students work on improving pronunciation, increasing fluency and understanding and responding to questions. Students are videotaped while microteaching and undergraduates offer feedback.

Conversation Partners Program
All graduate students enrolled in our program meet once a week for an hour with an American undergraduate for conversation practice and to learn about American culture. In groups of two or three, students have the opportunity to practice informal conversation with native speakers.

Teaching Support
We offer support services for students once they begin to teach at Princeton , such as observations and consultations. The ELP schedules regular discussions about teaching and are available to observe and consult with students once they begin teaching.

The Summer Institute
The Summer Institute is a six week intensive program for students who have not passed the POPT during their first year at Princeton . Throughout the program, students work on presentation and discussion skills, pronunciation, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and oral grammar. The program begins in early June and runs through mid-July. Students can retake the POPT in early September.

If you have further questions about the English Language Program, please call (609) 258-6929 or e-mail elp@princeton.edu.