Language Improvement Opportunities

The purpose of the ESL program is to provide English language improvement opportunities to three groups of people: (1) students, (2) scholars and employees and, (3) spouses of students, scholars, and employees. The top priority will be students with deficient SPEAK oral proficiency test scores or TOEFL scores. In order to ensure English proficiency for these students, the ESL Coordinator will offer individual counseling and coaching to students with specific needs. If applying for a GTA position, students will be required to retake the SPEAK test and/or the TOEFL test until the ESL Coordinator evaluates they are adequately prepared. If the ESL Coordinator determines that a student has met the English proficiency standards either after testing upon arrival or after ESL instruction, the need to retake the TOEFL test may be waived in some instances. These efforts are taken to ensure that students meet the English language requirements set by the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).

The Office of International Programs (OIP) also offers a variety of cultural programs in conjunction with academic classes that allow international students, scholars, and employees to practice English conversation skills and engage in cross-cultural exchange with native English speakers affiliated with KUMC. The Conversation Partners program is one of those programs. The Life in the USA series provides opportunities for presenters from the community and KUMC to share important information and answer key questions. Refer here for other study resources.

For more information about language improvement opportunities, please contact the Office of International Programs at (913) 588-1480.