ELP-ii
- Classes
- Language and Communication Resources
- Language Proficiency Requirement
- Frequently Asked Questions
This page provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about UCSD's English Language Program for International Instructors (ELP-ii) we get from students, faculty, and hiring departments. If you don't find the answer to your question below, please contact us at elpii@ucsd.edu.
The TOEFL/IELTS/PTE tests are used to assess a student’s readiness to begin studies in a university. The ELCE is used to assess a student’s readiness to teach.
The ELP-ii is a program within the Center for Engaged Teaching, a unit of the Teaching + Learning Commons. We are located on the second floor of the Literature Building in suite 210.
UC San Diego welcomes students from all over the world, many of whom speak English as an additional language. International students often ask how they can develop their English skills before they arrive. If you want to improve your spoken English for teaching, there are a range of options that can help meet your needs.
Yes, faculty are welcome to use ELP-ii services for individualized support.
Both university policy and California state assembly resolution require that all graduate students who are non-native English speakers demonstrate proficiency in the use of English for teaching, a professional communication skill before they can work as a teaching assistant who will meet with students. Since this policy went into effect, we have had tremendous cooperation from hiring departments, and both students and the TAs have benefited.
Some departments have raised questions about the language requirement. We address the most commonly asked questions below.
Non-native English speakers are international or domestic students whose native language (first language/mother tongue) is not English. This may include:
Newly arrived international students
Students who attended all or part of college in the US
Students who attended an English speaking college in another country
Students who are speakers of another variety of English (e.g. from India, Singapore, Hong Kong)
Graduate students with a TA requirement and who have an ELCE score of 2.5 or higher may participate in the ELP-ii classes. Click here for information students should know about the ELCE process.
Faculty
Graduate Division guidelines state that a screening consists of a 15-20 minute impromptu interview and teaching simulation, during which the student must respond to general and discipline-specific questions typically asked in undergraduate courses. The testing panel, consisting of at least one faculty representative from the department and an ELP-ii linguist, reviews, evaluates, and scores the responses for level of communication skill ability and overall language proficiency, including pronunciation accuracy, listening comprehension, use of general and technical vocabulary, speech flow, grammatical accuracy, and organizational clarity. The testing panel then makes a recommendation as to whether the TA candidate qualifies to TA.