Self-Placement Guide for English 10600 for International Students

Most international students enroll in English 10600 for International Students. However, the following guidelines may help you in determining the appropriate composition placement for you.

You should consider enrolling in English 10600 for International Students if:

Your TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score is below 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test)

• Your TWE (Test of Written English) score is 4 or below
• English has not been the medium of instruction for most of your education prior to enrolling at Purdue
• You are in the first generation of your family to attend a college or university
• Your speaking/listening skills in English are not as strong as your writing/reading skills in English
• You can read difficult passages in English, but you are likely to need extra time and will have difficulty with a heavy reading load

You should consider enrolling in English 10600 if:

• Your TOEFL score is above 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test)
• Your TWE score is 5 or 6
• English has been the medium of instruction for most of your education prior to enrolling at Purdue
• Your parents, sibling(s) or other immediate family members have attended a college or university
• Your speaking/listening skills in English are strong enough that you will most likely be able to understand your instructor's and classmates' classroom conversation
• You will be able to handle a heavy (many pages) reading load
• You are familiar with the informal written and spoken English often used in class by instructors and students at Purdue University

If you have questions about appropriate course placement, contact the Director of ESL Writing, Professor Tony Silva, at the Department of English by phone (494.3769)or by e-mail (tony@purdue.edu)

Guidelines statement developed by Tony Silva (Director of ESL Writing) and Shirley Rose (Director of Composition), December 2004