Do I Need an English Language Proficiency Test Score?
IF
- You are an F1 graduate student
- English is not your first language (You may be asked to provide an English proficiency test score even if English is one of the official languages of your country. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.)
AND EITHER
- You wish to have a Teaching Assistantship
OR
- You wish to have a Graduate Assistantship that includes:
- Contact with students
- Determining grades or communicating with students about the determination of grades
These tests may be used to show English language proficiency
TOEFL iBT - Speaking Section Score
24-25: student allowed to teach one semester; SPEAK test score of 50+ required to
continue teaching
26+: meets proficiency requirements
Log in to the ETS website and request that your TOEFL iBT scores be sent to the University
of Memphis, institution code R-1459. Ask your department to contact the Graduate School
office to look up your scores.
IELTS - Speaking Section Score
7.0-7.5: student allowed to teach one semester; SPEAK test score of 50+ required
to continue teaching
8.0+: meets proficiency requirements
Email a copy of your IELTS Test Report Form to the Graduate School with a note indicating
that the score is for your Teaching Assistantship requirements. Ask your department
to contact the Graduate School office to authenticate your scores.
PTE Academic - Speaking Section Score
59-66: student allowed to teach one semester; SPEAK test score of 50+ required to
continue teaching
67+: meets proficiency requirements
Log in to the PTE Academic website and request that your PTE Academic scores be sent
to the University of Memphis. Ask your department to contact the Graduate School office
to look up your scores.
Duolingo English - Over-All Score (temporary)
116-119: student allowed to teach one semester; SPEAK test score of 50+ required
to continue teaching
120+: meets proficiency requirements
Log in to the Duolingo English Test website and request for your scores to be sent
to The University of Memphis. Ask your department to contact the Graduate School office
to look up your scores.
SPEAK Test
45: student allowed to teach one semester; SPEAK test score of 50+ required to continue
teaching
50+: meets proficiency requirements
A copy of your scores will be sent to you, your department and to the Graduate School
by email after your test has been rated.
Sign up for the SPEAK Test
If you have taken the test previously, you will be required to present proof that you have completed the required official remediation before you will be allowed to take the test. All tests should be completed and scored before the contract deadline set by the Graduate School.
Tests for TA's Teaching Spring 2021
November 2-6, 2020
9:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 3:30 pm
NO SPEAK tests will be administered for the spring semester after January 8.
Tests for TA's Teaching Summer 2021
April 5-9, 2021
9:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 3:30 pm
NO SPEAK tests will be administered for either summer session after April 30.
Tests for TA's Teaching Fall 2021
June 14-18, 2021
9:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 3:30 pm
NO SPEAK tests will be administered for the fall semester after August 13.
Need to pass the SPEAK Test?
SPEAK Test Prep Course
IEI offers an online, non-credit SPEAK Test Prep Course each semester. Click here for an application and more information.
AUSP 6001 - Accent Modification
This course is an individually directed study of standard pronunciation, stress patterns,
and intonation of American English for speakers of English as a foreign language.
It is focused toward students who desire to improve their speech intelligibility in
American English. Permission of instructor required. (S/U). 1.000 Credit hours. Instructor,
John Sandidge (jlsnddge@memphis.edu)