The English Language Program offers academic English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that prepare non-native speakers of English for study at the graduate or undergraduate level. ELP classes are open to all non-native English speaking RU students with the permission of the ELP director.
The RU English Language Program (ELP) offers speaking/listening, grammar, reading and writing courses at three levels of instruction: beginning, intermediate and advanced. There is one additional composition course at the transition level. All students who enter the English Language Program complete proficiency placement testing to determine the courses that they will take.
Upon entering ELP, students are given a written test and oral interview to determine their English proficiency. Based on their English Language Proficiency test results, students enroll for either a full-time load of ELP classes (four classes) or a combination of ELP and other University classes. Degree-seeking students must complete all ELP classes that are required on the basis of their proficiency tests results. Degree-seeking students at the advanced level may be permitted to combine ELP course work with other University classes. ELP also provides advising and assistance with registration, ongoing orientation to the University and life in Chicago, and extracurricular activities.
For more information, call (312) 341-3717 or email elpinfo@roosevelt.edu.
English Language Proficiency Testing
All non-native speakers of English who study at Roosevelt University must meet the University’s language proficiency requirement. They may do this by providing TOEFL and TWE or IELTS scores at the required levels or by taking the Roosevelt University English Language Proficiency Test and completing all English courses required on the basis of test results. For more information, visit the English Language Proficiency admission requirements page.
Test Description
The Roosevelt University English Language Proficiency Test allows trained faculty to evaluate whether a student has sufficient English language skills to study at Roosevelt University. The test also serves as a placement tool which faculty use to assign required ELP courses to any student who needs to develop his or her English skills further.
There are three parts to the Roosevelt University English Language Proficiency Test:
- An Accuplacer exam—This is a computerbased
test that consists of language use,
reading skills, reading comprehension, and
listening sections. Practice questions are
available on the Accuplacer website.
- A composition test—This test measures
effective academic writing skills. See the
sample composition test.
- An oral interview—Designed as a measure
oral fluency, the interview covers both
conversational and academic topics.
After completing all parts of the language
proficiency test, students will receive test results,
placement requirements and academic advising.
Degree-seeking students must complete all ELP
courses that are required on the basis of their
placement tests result.
Test Registration Information
The Roosevelt University English Language Proficiency Test is administered free of charge to non-native speakers of English who have been accepted for study at Roosevelt University and need to demonstrate their language skills. Students who have not yet submitted an application to Roosevelt University programs may not be tested. New international students usually take the ELP Test during orientation week before classes start in fall and spring terms. New students can also register for other
regularly scheduled ELP Tests.