English as a Second Language

All students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English before admission to IPFW. Prospective ESL students must take the TOEFL or Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (available locally) to be admitted to IPFW. Students will be admitted and assigned to an advising unit based on their test scores. They must write an English placement essay following admission to determine which writing and/or reading classes they need. The only students exempt from this requirement are those who provide credit for freshman composition taken at accredited colleges or universities. 

There are two ways to demonstrate proficiency: 

1. Provide an acceptable, recent (within the year) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. TOEFL tests are given at specific centers throughout the world and require advance registration and a fee. 
2. Take the Michigan Test (The Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency) administered at IPFW and which is free. It is given once a month except September and February.
   The Michigan Test is available as a free service only for those students seeking admission to IPFW.

• The Michigan Test, administered by CASA, is given many times throughout the year and is free. Students must register with the CASA Office prior to the test to ensure that there will be adequate seating. Students are required to bring a photo ID, such as a passport or drivers license.   
• Test preparation materials are on reserve in the Helmke Library and from CASA in Kettler Hall, Room G21. The test covers grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension and takes 75 minutes. However, students should allow at least an hour and a half.   
• Call 260-481-6817 to schedule an appointment or register online.  
• Students who do not achieve an admissible score may retake the test in eight weeks after further English study. 

Additional Links for the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency:

• Schedule
• Register for the test
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Test Questions

The English as a Second Language courses at IPFW begin at the intermediate level. No beginning English courses are offered on this campus, and placement into the correct ESL class is determined by the Department of English and Linguistics on the basis of a written essay. Some courses in the ESL program include:

• English W115: This course focuses on sentence skills, grammar, idioms (both in speaking and writing), and writing in response to selected reading passages. This course is often scheduled to meet daily, Monday through Friday for eight weeks.
• English W116: Continuing with the skills in W115, this class adds emphasis on paragraph development and coherence. It is paired with W115 to complete the last eight weeks of a semester.
• English W129 ESL: This course concentrates on writing for a variety of purposes and audiences with concentrated work on specific areas of individual weakness for non-native English writers. The ESL sections of this course have the same content as the ones for native English writers.
• English W131 ESL: This composition course, adapted for non-native writers, is the one required for most IPFW degrees and is the only ESL course which counts toward graduation credit. The ESL sections of this course have the same content as the ones for native English writers. 
• ENG-R150: Reading & Study Skills: English R150 is a reading and study skills course for students whose first language is not English. Its purpose is to help students succeed in college. Topics emphasized include note taking, test taking, learning styles, textbook reading and comprehension, contextual vocabulary, and other appropriate study skills for active learning.