Oral English Proficiency

English proficiency for admission to Purdue University differs from oral (spoken) English proficiency for Teaching Assistantship positions. The University's policy on graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) is not based on citizenship or resident status, but instead on the student's first language. If the student did not grow up speaking English in the home as their first language, they are required to be certified as proficient in oral English before holding a GTA position that involves the direct instruction of undergraduate students. This certification requires higher oral English scores than required for admission to Purdue.

For information on English proficiency requirements for admission, please see our webpage on graduate admission requirements.

Methods of Oral English Proficiency Certification

Students may be eligible for certification of oral English proficiency by one of these means: 

• Their score on the TOEFL iBT Speaking section;
• Their score on the IELTS Speaking section;
• Their score on Purdue’s Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT);
• Their performance in SCLA 620 "Academic and Professional Communication for International Teaching Assistants," a language course exclusively for current and prospective TAs whose first language is not English. Only graduate students who have scored 40 or 45 on the OEPT are eligible for the course.

See this flow chart for Certification by Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS & OEPT) and Consequences of OEPT scores.   

To be certified in oral English for GTA positions, a student must have a TOEFL speaking score of 27 or higher OR an IELTS speaking score of at least 8.

The following are NOT accepted for oral English certification for GTA positions:

• English proficiency waivers or student has received a degree from an English-speaking institution
• myBest scores (TOEFL)
• Test of Written English (TWE)
• SPEAK or other screening procedure at another educational institution
• Duolingo test scores

Graduate students with oral English scores below the minimum GTA certification standards may request an Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT) administered by the Oral English Proficiency Program. CS students needing to take the OEPT should contact the CS Graduate Office (csgrad@purdue.edu) well in advance to register for the test. Availability of OEPT tests is limited and wait times may be several months. Non-CS students should contact their Graduate Coordinator to arrange a test.

OEPT Scores and Certification

 A score of 50 or 55 on the OEPT means automatic GTA English certification.

A score of 45 allows a grad student to hold a GTA position only if they also take SCLA 620 concurrently. Availability of SCLA 620 is limited and wait times may be a semester or more. Students receiving a score of 45 should respond immediately if offered to be placed in SCLA 620.

A score of 40 precludes a student from holding a GTA position that has contact with undergraduate students. Availability of SCLA 620 is limited and wait times may be a semester or more. Students receiving a score of 40 should respond immediately if offered to be placed in SCLA 620. Only after passing the course, is a student with an OEPT score of 40 eligible to hold a GTA position with undergraduate student contact.

A score of 35 indicates that additional English practice is needed, and that the OEPT should be retaken in a year. A score of 40 or 45 is the prerequisite for SCLA 620.

Passing SCLA 620 will certify a student in oral English. Students can only take SCLA 620 after taking the OEPT and permission to register must be requested through the Graduate Office.