Welcome to the CESL Breakfast

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Welcome to the CESL Breakfast
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Todays Agenda

• Briefly review new TOEFL test format
• Introduce score standards for iBT
• CESL Conditional Admission Procedure
• CESL Conditional Endorsement
• Supplemental CESL language support

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Who we are

• Dr. Wendy Whitacre, AD of Academic Affairs
• Dr. Al Stover, AD of Outreach Development
• Helen Abdulaziz, AD of Communication Student
  Services
• Dr. Suzanne Panferov, CESL Director

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The Internet-based TOEFL

• Whats Different?

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Major iBT Differences

• Tests four skills Reading, Writing, Listening,
  Speaking
• Integrated skills questions
• Note-taking allowed in all sections
• No Grammar Section
• Grammar evaluated in context
• Human Scorers

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Listening Section

• 4-6 Video Lectures
• Longer, more authentic lectures than PBT or CBT
• Tests understanding of speaker attitude,
  certainty, or purpose
• Note-taking allowed
• Variety of world English accents

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Speaking Section

• Two types of tasks
• Opinion (two questions)
• Speak about reading/lecture (4 questions)
• 30 Seconds to prepare
• One minute to respond

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Reading Section

• Longer Readings
• Multi-focus passages
• comparison/contrast cause/effect
• Glossary
• New type of question Categorize
• fill in chart

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Writing Section

• Two types of questions
• Respond to Lecture and Reading
• one question
• Support an opinion
• one question

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Scoring

• Scores available on-line in 15 days
• Human Scorers
• Scores range from 0-30 for each section
• Total Score range from 0-120

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Issues

• Difficulties scheduling iBT testing sessions for
  students across the world
• Institutional TOEFL (current PBT) changing
  dramatically (possibly just R L)
• ETS changing many tests/policies at one time
  (unclear future)

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Interpreting and SettingTOEFL iBT Scores

• Or, What do we do now that we have this THIRD
  scale to worry about?

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TOEFL Score Scales

• iBT
• Listening 0-30
• Speaking 0-30
• Reading 0-30
• Writing 0-30
• Total Score 0-120

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Comparative ScalesMost used score points

• iBT CBT PBT
• 100 250 600-603
• 79-80 213 550
• 61 173 500

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Where did these score comparisons come from?

• According to ETS literature
• 2,720 usable iBT scores from field testing from
  students who also took the CBT
• CBT/PBT comparisons are based pm 6,556 students
  who took both tests between 11/97 and 3/98.
• iBT takers did not take the PBTno direct
  comparison between two tests.

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What this meansETS cautions

• The sample size is small for these purposes. More
  data after one year will help.
• Motivation of field test examinees is different.
• Field test examinees were not familiar with new
  format.
• First time iBT test takers may find speaking test
  intimidating.
• Field test sample performed below the typical CBT
  population.

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ETS Suggestions

• Use comparison scores with great caution.
• Collect local data and assess after a year.
• Look for ETS updates and revised comparison
  tables.
• Remember that the three tests are fundamentally
  different and measure different combinations of
  skills and abilities.
• Source www.ets.org

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What Set Scores are Universities Using?

• Please see handouts

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How are Universities Using Scores?

• Some schools use only section scores (Boston
  University)
• Some schools have both a minimum total score and
  minimum section scores
• Some schools have recommended section scores
• Some schools have no minimum score (Stanford).
• Many schools use the results of the ETS field
  test study.
• At least one school does not include speaking
  score in the minimum

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Methods of Arriving at Set ScoresTwo Basic
Methods

• Method 1
• Use the score comparison table
• Disadvantage
• Small sample size in field test sample
• Differences in tests
• Advantage
• Ease of use

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• Method 2
• Conduct a local standard setting study
• Disadvantage
• Time and labor intensive
• Advantage
• Set scores will have a better fit with
  institutional goals.
• Faculty, administration and ESL
  professionals all participate in the
  process.
• Institutions may choose a combination of the two.

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CESL Suggestions

• Go through standard setting process
• Set departmental/college standards
• Check ETS frequently for new data
• Consider using section scores in addition to or
  in lieu of total score
• Collect local data to validate or revise set
  scores

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Resources

• ETS www.toefl.org
• For standard setting questions
• Eileen Tyson (etyson_at_ets.org)
• For iBT information
• Gena Netten (gnetten_at_ets.org)
• CESL 621-1362 www.cesl.arizona.edu

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Why do students want Conditional Admission?

• Secure scholarship
• Better chance of getting visa
• Future security they know where they will study

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Why does UA want to give Conditional Admission?

• Powerful recruitment tool
• Students who attend CESL are most likely to
  attend UA

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What is Conditional Admission?

• Applicant meets academic requirements
• Students apply as usual and request CA
• The letter comes from the appropriate admissions
  office
• CA letter states the student is eligible for
  admission upon meeting the English requirement

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What is the English language requirement?

• Defined by undergrad college, grad college and/or
  department
• Suzanne will talk about the CESL Endorsement in
  place of TOEFL

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Why does CESL become involved?

• I-20 is the document that allows international
  students to apply for the F-1 student visa.
• Besides personal and financial information an
  important question examined by the issuing
  officers is Does the student meet the English
  requirement?
• The University cannot issue an I-20 for
  conditional admission CESL can.
• http//www.cesl.arizona.edu/CAPresentation.htm

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How can your conditionally admitted student apply
to CESL?

• CESL web page Apply Now http//www.cesl.arizona.e
  du

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How does the student get the student visa?

• CESL issues the I-20
• Student applies for visa in home country. For
  details see our web page at http//www.cesl.arizon
  a.edu/Visa.htm
• We hope he gets the visa CA helps in many cases
• Enters the USA with the CESL I-20
• Completes the English requirement
• Is fully admitted to the academic program
• CESL transfers the student to the university
• The appropriate office issues a transfer I-20

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Notes

• The two applications CA and CESL - may be
  simultaneous
• You can send us the copy or original CA letter or
  financial support documents
• We can include your CA letter in our admission
  packet that goes by FedEx
• The department may contact me at any time with
  any questions.
• Helen Abdulaziz hta_at_email.arizona.edu
• 621-6211

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What is CESL Endorsement?Factors we consider

• Undergrad
• 2 out of 4 CESL Proficiency Scores at 8
• B or better in current level classes
• Graduate
• CESL Proficiency scores at 8
• B or better in current level classes
• letters of recommendation from 3 CESL instructors
  
• Departmental requirements

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When is CESL Level 8 Proficiency Reached?

• CESL has eight levels
• 10-80
• Because students progress at different rates,
  some students reach Level 8 Proficiency in CESL
  Level 70 or CESL Level 80
• Some students continue in Level 80 longer than
  others
• Being in level 80 does not guarantee level 8
  proficiency

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What is CESL Level 80?

• Reading
• 50 Demonstrates very good comprehension of
  authentic texts such as newspaper or magazine
  articles and extensive readings by responding in
  writing with minimal analysis. Able to identify
  rhetorical clues to meaning. Able to read a
  short novel.
• 60 Able to read novels, textbooks and academic
  articles with excellent comprehension. Able to
  identify the authors tone, purpose, and
  audience.
• 70 Able to read and comprehend extensive readings
  at near-native speed. Demonstrates ability to
  synthesize several articles in writing.
• 80 Able to read and comprehend professional and
  academic articles at native speed. Able to
  demonstrate native like comprehension through
  analysis, inference, paraphrasing, drawing
  conclusions, and responding critically in writing.

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What is CESL Level 80?

• Writing
• 50 Produces a well-developed, multi-paragraph
  essay that includes an introduction and focused
  thesis statement, several supporting body
  paragraphs, developed in a variety of ways, and a
  brief conclusion. The essay demonstrates a basic
  understanding of academic essay format and of
  logical, inter-paragraph development.
• 60 Produces a well-developed, multi-paragraph
  essay (approximately 500 words) using one of
  several academic rhetorical formats. Produces
  several types of body paragraphs that are
  developed using a variety of citations
  techniques. The essay demonstrates an excellent
  understanding of one of several academic essay
  formats and of logical, inter-paragraph
  development. Also, the essay shows the ability to
  respond to and to incorporate material from an
  outside source with simple citations.
• 70 Produces a short research paper (approximately
  1,000 words) using multiple sources. The paper
  demonstrates the ability to research and cite
  multiple sources, using a variety of citation
  techniques. It also demonstrates an excellent
  grasp of expositive or persuasive formats.
• 80 Produces a short well-developed research paper
  (approximately 1500 words) using multiple
  sources. The paper demonstrates the ability to
  research and integrate appropriate supporting
  material into an extended paper based on either
  an expositive or a persuasive format. It also
  demonstrates the ability to use formal academic
  citations.

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What is the CESL Endorsement Procedure?

• A CESL transcript letter is sent upon request
  of the student to the appropriate Undergrad or
  Grad Admissions office which includes
• Grades from previous sessions at CESL
• Recommendation for full admission

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Why CESL Endorsement?

• An important assessment alternative for students
• Students are better prepared for US academic
  expectations prior to starting classes at UA
• A key recruiting tool for qualified international
  students
• A gold star for the UA reputation abroad

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Departmental Admissions Key Considerations

• Know the UA baseline undergrad and grad CA
  requirements (currently CESL 80)
• Consider any departmental/program specific
  requirements or language needs
• Specify the requirement (not just completion of
  CESL) in your Admission Letter
• Explain any time limitations (eg. One year to
  meet condition)
• Detail any re-apply or re-pay requirements

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Recommend Admissions wording

• Graduate departments can recommend a student for
  Conditional Admission if the prospective student
  meets all Graduate College requirements except
  for the minimum 550 TOEFL requirement (or 213 in
  the computerized version). Conditional
  Admission requires that the student apply to and
  enroll at the UA Center for English as a Second
  Language (CESL) at their own cost (or their
  sponsor's) with the expectation of achieving
  TOEFL-equivalent English proficiency within one
  year. The initial I-20 will be generated by CESL.
  Once CESL certifies that the student has achieved
  English proficiency at the TOEFL minimum, he or
  she will be admitted as a regular standing
  student (or provisional if the department wants
  to impose additional requirements) to pursue
  graduate studies. At the time the student's
  admission status changes from Conditional to
  Regular (or Provisional) status, a new I-20 will
  be issued by the Graduate College.
• UA Graduate Conditional Admission Web Site
  http//grad.arizona.edu/Prospective_Students/Admis
  sions_Requirements/Conditional_Admission.php

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Additional CESL Support available to UA students
after matriculation 4 Important Opportunities

• Part-time enrollment in any CESL class (day or
  evening)
• Individualized tutoring
• ITA Pronunciation course, GRD 697E
• Customized group programs for department/program/c
  ollege

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• Thank you!
• Feel free to contact us for follow-up
  information
• CESL Dept. 621-1362
• www.cesl.arizona.edu
• Al Stover astover_at_email.arizona.edu
• Helen Abdulaziz hta_at_email.arizona.edu
• Wendy Whitacre whitacre_at_email.arizona.edu
• Suzanne Panferov Panferov_at_email.arizona.edu