ORAL ENGLISH ASSESSMENT (EPI)
EPI pages
IMPORTANT UPDATE
At the end of Fall 2022 semester, the English Proficiency Interview (EPI) service will move from the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) to the Department of Linguistics. While the test itself will remain the same, the name will be changed to Oral English Assessment Interview (OEAI). Registration for the upcoming pre-semester January 2023 testing period will open in early December. Questions regarding OEAI may be directed to Dr. Xun Yan and Dr. Rurik Tywoniw at oeai-illinois@illinois.edu.
Main Links
For more info

For questions or information, please contact:

EPI Coordinator
(217) 265-6136
Email


OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Interpreting EPI Scores

Examinee EPI score access. Starting with EPIs administered during Fall 2020: Within two weeks after an EPI exam, examinees will receive an email with instructions on how to access their scores. If you do not receive the email within two weeks after your EPI exam date, contact your department. If you took the EPI before Fall 2020 and need your score report, please contact your department.

Academic unit EPI score access. Starting with EPIs administered during Fall 2020, academic units may access their students' EPI scores within two weeks after the exam date using the EPI Score Report Portal. Academic units needing assistance accessing the portal or locating a specific score should contact the EPI Coordinator at citl-epi@illinois.edu.

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The EPI assesses oral English proficiency using a global rating scale that addresses overall communicative ability for teaching.

To arrive at a global score, the EPI evaluates examinees' speaking ability in terms of the following five features:

  • Fluency: smoothness in delivery and frequency of hesitations and re-starts
  • Linguistic Accuracy: pronunciation and grammatical accuracy (minor errors may occur); vocabulary range appropriate for teaching
  • Discourse Management: the ability to develop and organize ideas and to speak at length
  • Question Handling and Listening: the ability to give appropriate answers and negotiation skills for communication
  • Listener Effort: the ease or difficulty in processing the examinee's speech

EPI Score Interpretation Guidelines for Examinees can be accessed here.

Possible global scores are 2, 3, 4, 4CP, 5, and 6. Scores of 5 or 6 are passing scores and the applicant is then cleared to teach. A score of 4CP is a “conditional pass” which allows the student to be a TA provided he or she successfully completes ESL 508 during or before the first semester of teaching.  Students who receive a 4CP, 5, or 6 on the EPI must attend the Graduate Academy for College Teaching prior to teaching their first semester. All scores are final and not subject to appeal.

Score descriptors

Level


Description


Result


Level 6


Communication is always effective; speaker has sophisticated language skills appropriate for a teaching context.


Pass; student is permitted to be a TA with no restrictions


Level 5


Communication is generally effective; speaker has satisfactory language skills at ranges appropriate for a teaching context.


Level 4CP


Communication is generally effective; however due to isolated weakness, communication is occasionally difficult. Further ESL coursework is required during or before the first semester of teaching in order to refine the speaker's language skills for a teaching context.


Conditional Pass; student is required to successfully complete ESL 508 during or before the first semester of teaching


Level 4


Communication is somewhat effective. Inconsistent performance indicates speaker is not ready to be a classroom instructor.


Non-passing; student is NOT permitted to be a TA and must retake the EPI or obtain a qualifying speaking score on the TOEFL iBT or IELTS.


Level 3


Communication is marginally effective; speaker has limited language skills for a teaching context.


Level 2


Communication is generally not effective; speaker has unsatisfactory language for a teaching context.



The following video explains how to interpret an Official EPI Score Report