TAMIU Eliminates TOEFL Test Requirement, Offers Alternative

Students whose native language is not English who may have worried in the past about the TOEFL test requirement to take university-level courses at Texas A&M International University need not despair anymore.

That's because TAMIU recently adopted a new rule that allows these students to successfully complete six levels of English as a Second Language courses instead of taking the TOEFL exam.

"This means that students will have to pass the highest level of ESL courses, or Level 6, with a B or better in order to be able to take undergraduate or graduate courses at TAMIU," said Adriana Blanco, associate director of the International Language Institute.

However, Blanco said that like the rest of University students, non-native English speakers will still need to meet other test requirements such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment and the Complete Assessment for undergraduate study and the Graduate Record Exam or the Graduate Management Admission Test for graduate study.

Blanco said that the TOEFL requirement elimination will place less pressure on students while allowing them to learn English at their own pace.

"This way, students can complete their ESL courses and while they do that, become acquainted with the University campus. The TOEFL exam was a challenge for some students because English is not their native language. Now that the whole anxiety is taken away, we hope it will be easier for them to take the ESL courses and get to Level 6," Blanco said.

Regular registration for ESL courses in January will take place Dec. 9 - Dec. 23 at the International Language Institute.

ESL classes, Levels 2 to 6, will be offered Jan. 20-March 12 for day courses and Jan. 20 to May 14 for evening courses.

Day courses will be provided from 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and evening courses from 7:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Blanco said each level includes instruction on listening, speaking, grammar, reading and writing. She explained that students have the option of taking a full level for a tuition of $916 or a half level for $466 and may concentrate on either listening, speaking grammar or reading and writing.

For further information, please contact Blanco at 326-2724, e-mail ablanco@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in Pellegrino Hall, room 302G.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.