The Board of Regents Policy on Spoken English Competency Requires That Non-Native Speakers

Using the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to assess the spoken English competency of prospective GTAs who are

non-native speakers of English

University of Kansas, Lawrence

June 4, 2007

The Board of Regents policy on spoken English competency requires that non-native speakers of English who are appointed to GTA positions earn a score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test. Prospective GTAs also must be interviewed by at least three institutional representatives, at least one of whom must be a student.

At present, the TSE is being phased out and two new tests will be accepted in its place: (1) the Internet-based TOEFL exam (iBT) developed by Educational Testing Services and (2) the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) developed by the University of Cambridge ESOL program. Both tests include a component that measures spoken English. Departments may offer GTA positions to non-native speakers of English who (1) achieve the minimum scores of 50 on the TSE or SPEAK test, 26 on the spoken component of the iBT, or 8 on the spoken component of the IELTS and (2) pass the interview required by the Board of Regents.

In order to gather data about the comparability of these test scores, the Applied English Center (AEC) will administer the SPEAK test to GTAs, upon arrival, who have the minimal score of 26 on the iBT or 8 on the IELTS. A graduate student who has been offered a GTA position on the basis of a minimal score on the iBT or IELTS will not forfeit the GTA position if he or she does not score 50 on the SPEAK test. However, the AEC may recommend that the student take specific AEC courses to help overcome any deficiencies. Incoming graduate students who scored less than 26 on the spoken component of the iBT or 8 on the spoken component of the IELTS also are encouraged to take the SPEAK test. In Fall 2008, the Office of the Provost will consult with departments and the AEC to ensure that the score equivalencies are appropriate.