Department of Environmental Sciences

English Language Proficiency Policy for International Graduate Students

This policy applies only to international graduate students who do not speak English as a first language. After arriving at the University of Toledo and prior to their first semester of study international students with graduate assistantships (IGA’s), either teaching or research, must take the English-language proficiency screening exam administered by the university’s American Language Institute (ALI). IGA’s may not teach unless they receive a score of 3 (on a scale of 1-3) on this exam. Students not achieving this score, must take the ALI’s English-language course for IGA’s during their first semester. If, at the end of this course, any students not achieving a level of English proficiency equivalent to a score of 3 on the screening exam must repeat the ALI course during their second semester. If, at the end of the this semester, a student’s English proficiency has still not improved to the required level, then their assistantship may be suspended until they pass the screening exam. In the latter event, the student will be responsible for covering the cost of any ALI or other English-language courses taken to improve their proficiency to the point where their assistantship can be reinstated.
Last Updated: 6/27/22