EPI Overview
The English Proficiency Interview (EPI) is for non-native English speaking graduate students who are prospective teaching assistants at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The EPI is a face-to-face interview that elicits language skills necessary for successful communication in instructional settings, including competence with basic terminology for academic disciplines and the interactive skills needed for negotiation of meaning. It does not assess test takers' topical knowledge or teaching skills.
For more information on the EPI, choose one of the following categories:
1. Interview Details
What?
The interview begins with a warm-up/introduction, continues with the core section and ends with a wrap-up.
During the core section of the interview, the interviewer will ask general questions about the examinee and/or about university life. During the interview, test takers will also be asked to explain academic terms from the field of study of the desired teaching assistantship (provided by the interviewer). The explanations simulate language tasks that are typical of an academic classroom setting.
When and Where?
The EPI will take place during each semester. Check the interview dates page of our web site for upcoming dates and times.
Departments identify and register graduate students to take the EPI.
The EPI will take place in 249 Armory. The best way to reach this room is by entering the Armory through the northeast doors. Directions can be found here. Students should allow ample time to find the testing location as any student that is late will not be allowed to participate in the interview.
Test takers should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled exam time. Late students will not be allowed to participate in the interview. A $50 no-show charge will be assessed for all test takers who do not come or who cancel less than 48 hours prior to the exam, to be paid before a student is allowed to retake the exam.
To change the date or time of a scheduled exam, or to cancel an exam, departments must call 333-3370 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled exam.
How much?
The cost of the EPI is $50 per exam. Departments may choose to cover the costs of the tests or bill their students through Banner.
2. Scoring
The EPI assesses test takers' speaking ability in terms of five features: Fluency, Linguistic Accuracy, Discourse Management, Question Handling and Listening, and Listener effort.
- Fluency: smoothness in delivery and amount of hesitations and re-starts.
- Linguistic Accuracy: includes clear pronunciation, grammar without noticeable errors and sophisticated vocabulary.
- Discourse Management: the ability to develop ideas, rhetorical organization, and quantity of discourse.
- Question Handling and Listening: the ability to give appropriate answers, and negotiation skills for communication.
- Listener Effort: the ease or difficulty in processing the test taker's speech.
EPI Scoring
Level |
Description |
Result |
Level 6 |
Communication is always effective; speaker has sophisticated language skills appropriate for a teaching context. |
Pass; student is permitted to be a TA with no restrictions |
Level 5 |
Communication is generally effective; speaker has satisfactory language skills at ranges appropriate for a teaching context. |
|
Level 4CP |
Communication is generally effective; however due to isolated weakness, communication is occasionally difficult. Further ESL coursework is required during or before the first semester of teaching in order to refine the speaker's language skills for a teaching context. |
Conditional Pass; student is required to successfully complete ESL 508 during or before the first semester of teaching |
Level 4 |
Communication is somewhat effective. Inconsistent performance indicates speaker is not ready to be a classroom instructor. |
Non-passing; student is NOT permitted to be a TA and must retake the exam |
Level 3 |
Communication is marginally effective; speaker has limited language skills for a teaching context. |
|
Level 2 |
Communication is generally not effective; speaker has unsatisfactory language for a teaching context. |
What if a student doesn't pass?
If a student does NOT pass the EPI, s/he may retake the
test after successful completion of an English improvement activity. Students have a maximum of 3 attempts. English improvement options
include enrollment in an ESL course (504, 506, or 510) or 10 hours of participation in CTE-approved tutoring and must be completed in the semester
after the EPI was taken.