A short video that describes how to interpret your score appears here (scroll down the page to see the video).
Carefully read your Official EPI Score Report. In addition to your final score, it contains information on additional ESL coursework that may be required, and provides information on areas of strength and weakness in your oral English skills.
On the lower part of the score report (see following example), look for pluses (+) to indicate a key strength, and minuses (-) to indicate an area where further improvement is needed. The score report also tells you which ESL courses are best suited to helping you improve for each language feature.
Scores of 5 or 6 are passing scores. Your next step is to attend the Graduate Academy for College Teaching before the first semester you expect to teach. Your department will register you. The Graduate Academy is offered each year during the week before the Fall and Spring semesters.
A score of 4CP is a “conditional pass” which allows you to become a TA provided you enroll in ESL 508, which is designed to provide oversight, support, and guidance as you transition to teaching. ESL 508 must be completed prior to or during your first semester of teaching. To register for ESL 508 contact Dr. Suzanne Franks. Students who receive a 4CP also must attend the Graduate Academy for College Teaching before their first semester as a TA.
If you do not pass the EPI (scores of 2, 3, or 4): Campus policy requires that you successfully complete an English improvement activity before retaking the EPI. To fulfill this requirement, you may take a pronunciation course (ESL 504 or 510) or a course focused on classroom culture and oral English skills for teaching (ESL 506).
In lieu of taking a class, you may elect to complete at your own expense at least 10 hours of approved tutoring.
If you select tutoring for the improvement activity, the following requirements apply:
- You must meet with the tutor at least once a week for a minimum of 8 weeks.
- If you received a 4 on the EPI, you must complete a minimum of 10 hours of tutoring.
- Students with an EPI score of 3 must complete a minimum of 20 hours of tutoring before retaking the EPI.
And lastly, students who do not pass the EPI may take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS (academic exam) as often as needed to achieve the minimum score required for teaching.