English Language Program

Other Programs

Conversation Partners
English Placement Test
Academic and Professional Writing
Pre-MBA Course

Conversation Partners

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Conversation Partners is a VT-ENGAGE volunteer program bringing the Virginia Tech student community together with international students enrolled in English classes at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (VTLCI). The program encourages fellowship and open communication to improve awareness and understanding across cultures. Participants are linked with several international students and meet within their groups one to two hours per week.

Program Specifics:

Course Location	Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, Blacksburg and Falls Church
Dates	Year-round - length of participation may vary from several weeks to several months
Intensity	One to two hours per week
Credit Status	Involvement is voluntary. A letter of appreciation is issued to regular program participants.
Registration	Contact VTLCI at 540-231-9814, or at lci-info@vt.edu.

English Placement Test

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All incoming international graduate students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) during the orientation period prior to the beginning of classes unless they have:

A PBT TOEFL score of 620 paper AND an essay writing score (Test of Written English) of 4.5 or higher
A CBT TOEFL score of 260 paper AND an essay writing score (Test of Written English) of 4.5 or higher
An iBT total score of 105 AND a writing score of 26 or higher

Those students who have obtained either a bachelor's or a master's degree from an accredited university in a country where English is the native language may request a test waiver in writing to lci-info@vt.edu. A scanned official transcript or diploma from the institution stating that the medium of instruction was English must be provided with all such requests.

Test-takers will have one hour to plan, compose and edit a report about the set of three given graphs/charts. The report should describe the patterns, trends, and implications that test-takers can infer from the information in the graphic data. The finished product should be at least 250 words in length. It will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis for the following qualities of academic writing:

Complete report structure
Relevance to the data
Correct language

Purposeful organization
Specific detail
Academic prose style

Advance practice and/or example tests are not provided.

Test Specifics:

Test Location	Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute. See www.lci.vt.edu/elp/directions for directions and contact information.
Registration	To sign-up for a test seating, click on the desired date and time in the following section. If the section chosen is full you will see a message that the survey is closed. If this happens, you will need to select an alternate seating.

Dates and Times	Main Campus, Blacksburg	Monday, Aug 17, 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, Aug 18, 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, Aug 18, 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, Aug 19, 9:00 A.M. Wednesday, Aug 19, 11:00 A.M. Saturday, Aug 22, 9:00 A.M. Saturday, Aug 22, 11:00 A.M. Saturday, Aug 22, 2:00 P.M.
Dates and Times	Northern Virginia Center, Falls Church	Saturday, Aug 22, TBD

Duration	One hour
Fee	None for admitted graduate students

More information on the EPT, as well as test times, locations and registration details, will be provided upon check-in on the main campus at Cranwell International Center or, in Northern Virginia, at the International Students and Scholars Services Office.

More information on the English Placement Test requirement can be found on the following web sites:

TOEFL score interpretation: www.grads.vt.edu/igss/faculty_staff/
EPT requirement: www.grads.vt.edu/admissions/applying/requirements/toefl_score_reqs.html

Academic and Professional Writing

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Academic and Professional Writing (APW) is a comprehensive semester-long course in improving written English proficiency. Tailored toward the special needs of international graduate students, this course teaches effective academic writing. Participants analyze and practice composing paraphrases, summaries/abstracts, analyses, critiques/evaluations, and full-length papers – individually and in collaborative group assignments.

APW is taken during the first semester of enrollment at Virginia Tech along with a full load of academic classes (9-12 credit hours). The course is available in the fall and spring. Class meets once per week for three hours. To assist students who have a schedule conflict with the class meeting time, an on-line option is also offered. Students may also opt, with instructor permission, to both attend class and participate in on-line assignments and discussions.

Course Specifics:

Course Location	Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, Blacksburg and Falls Church locations. See www.lci.vt.edu/elp/directions for directions and contact information.
Dates and Times	Classes meet each Friday in the fall and spring semesters from 1 to 4 P.M. First class meeting in the fall is August 28, 2009. First meeting in the spring is January 22, 2010.
Intensity	Three hours per week in class plus on-line participation. One writing assignment per week. On-line sections available.
Credit Status	Non-credit/non-degree
Course Fee	$450 (books included)
Registration	Register and pay in-person during regular office hours at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute.

Pre-MBA Course

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The Pre-MBA Course is designed specifically for international students to strengthen English language skills prior entering into MBA studies.

Pre-MBA Course Features:

Practice in American pronunciation, stress and intonation
Acquisition and use of terminology found in business school courses
Participation in class discussions using the business case study method utilized in most business school programs
A collaborative project involving teamwork, research and use of English language skills
Practice in giving oral presentations with accompanying visual displays

The course is open to all international students with advanced English proficiency.

Incoming international MBA students are required to take the Pre-MBA Course unless they have:

A PBT TOEFL score of 600
An iBT total score of 100 with a speaking score of 26 or higher and a listening score of 26 or higher

MBA students meeting these requirements may still be referred into the program at the discretion of the department if, based on the oral interview, the department feels further English instruction would be beneficial.

Admitted international MBA students who have obtained either a bachelor's or a master's degree from an accredited university in the United States are exempt from this course. MBA students with a degree from an accredited university in another country where English is the native language may be exempted at the discretion of the MBA department. Domestic students do not have to take this course.

Course Specifics:

Course Location	Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, Blacksburg
Dates	July 26 – August 13, 2010 (three weeks)
Intensity	Thirty (30) hours per week including five technology center hours per week
Credit Status	Non-credit/non-degree
Course Fee	$960 for admitted graduate school students, $1,200 for the general public (books included)
Registration	Register and pay in-person during regular office hours at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute
Report Date/Time	July 26, 2010 at 8:30 A.M.
Housing	University dormitory recommended. Advance reservation is required. Contact the housing office at housing@vt.edu for information. Mention in your e-mail that you are a VTLCI Pre-MBA English student.