ESL > SPEAK Test

Who Must Take the SPEAK Test?

• Graduate School policy requires the SPEAK test for all international graduate students receiving graduate, research, or teaching assistantships, regardless of whether or not the student is expected to teach a class immediately.
• Individual schools and departments may also require the SPEAK test for all newly admitted international students.

When Is It Offered?
At the beginning and end of each semester. [Speak Test Schedule]

What Do the Results Mean?

• 55/60 = student is automatically approved to teach anything the department wants the TA to teach.
• 50 or less = further evaluation by means of a teaching demonstration is required before a student is permitted to teach, hold office hours, or perform other duties requiring speaking to students. Actual duties will be based on the results of the teaching demonstration. Departments are expected to vouch for the student's communication abilities before requesting this evaluation. ESL 512 Communication for International Teaching Assistants is recommended.
• 40 or below = the student should consider taking ESL 411/412 Advanced Spoken English before retaking the SPEAK test.

What about the TSE?

• Students with a Test of Spoken English (TSE) score of 55 or 60 may be waived from taking the SPEAK test or taking ESL 512. This score must be less than two years old.

How Can Students Better Understand Their Scores?

• Students can see the ESL Program Director to receive general feedback from their test and recommendations for how to improve.

• See the [SPEAK Test Schedule] for details

• $65