English Proficiency
The University of Florida is required by Florida law to ensure all teaching faculty, including International Teaching Assistants (ITAs), are proficient in English. The three approved tests for oral proficiency are the TOEFL iBT (speaking), the IELTS Academic (speaking), and the SPEAK Test.
Do you need the SPEAK?
If your department wants you to be a teaching assistant with duties such as lecturing, discussion groups, lab teaching, synchronous online classes, etc., you will need to show your English proficiency either with the TOEFL iBT speaking section, IELTS Academic speaking section, or the SPEAK Test. These tests also determine your requirement for the class EAP 5836. The SPEAK is an English proficiency test that is designed to give an accurate representation of how you speak English every day. The test is offered as an alternative for the TOEFL iBT speaking section or the IELTS Academic speaking section.
You can determine general language proficiency requirements and the need for the SPEAK Test from the chart. The criteria outlined below meet the minimum requirements of the UF Graduate School. Individual departments and programs may have additional criteria for ITAs that must be met.
Students from certain English-speaking countries may be exempt from testing. Consult your department to determine if you qualify for this exemption.
- UF policy permits taking the SPEAK Test a maximum of two times per semester and three times per year.
- A sample SPEAK Test is available for practice here —Sample SPEAK Test.
- For questions about the SPEAK Test, contact Maya Shastri (mshastri@ufl.edu).
SPEAK Registration and Fee
Registration for the SPEAK Test can be completed online by following the link below. The test fee is $100.00. Credit card payment is required for registration. If your department is paying for your SPEAK Test, the department must contact Megan Forbes (mforbes@eli.ufl.edu) to register you for the test.
- Online registration closes 1 week prior to the test or when the seats are full.
- You may request a refund up to 24 hours prior to the test.
Register for the SPEAK here
SPEAK Test Dates
| Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Fall 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, February 28, 5:00pm, Zoom | Tuesday, July 30, 5:00pm, Zoom | Wednesday, August 7, 5:00pm, Zoom |
| Monday, May 6, 5:00pm, Zoom | Tuesday, August 20, 5:00pm, Zoom | |
| Wednesday, September 18, 5:00pm, Zoom | ||
| Tuesday, November 12, 5:00pm, Zoom | ||
| Thursday, December 5, 5:00pm, Zoom |
- Zoom tests require computer AND smart phone access, a reliable internet connection, and a quiet place to make a recording.
EAP 5836
EAP 5836 is a 3-credit, supervised ITA teaching course, and it can be mandatory depending on an individual’s proficiency requirements determined by the TOEFL iBT speaking, IELTS Academic speaking or the SPEAK Test.
- EAP 5836 is eligible for a tuition waiver.
- EAP 5836 does not count towards a graduate degree.
- EAP 5836 will appear on the academic transcript.
EAP 5836 Prerequisites
This class is mandatory for all international graduate students who are in their first semester of teaching at UF (with lecturing, discussion leader, or lab teaching, etc.) and who scored 23-27 on the TOEFL iBT speaking, 7-8 on the IELTS Academic speaking, or 45-50 on the SPEAK. Refer to the table for the prerequisite scores. The criteria outlined below meet the minimum requirements of the UF Graduate School. Individual departments and programs may have additional criteria for ITAs that must be met.
- Please note that international graduate students appointed as TA-G (grading and office hour responsibilities only) are not eligible to enroll in EAP 5836.
EAP 5836 Course Description
The course has two parts: a weekly seminar and a series of classroom observations. The seminar consists of discussions on topics such as teaching discourse, cross-cultural communication, and language & culture, in addition to language instruction. Coursework consists of active participation in public speaking and interpersonal communication techniques. EAP 5836 students are observed when teaching their own classes and afterwards meet one-on-one with the instructor to discuss the classroom observation and the connection of the seminar material to the student’s personal in-class teaching, cultural, and language experience. See a sample syllabus here.
Register for EAP 5836 under “Linguistics” in ONE.UF.
Considerations for Summer Teaching Assistants
- EAP 5836 is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters only.
- Summer semester Teaching Assistants must meet language proficiency requirements (28+ on the TOEFL iBT speaking, 8.5+ on the IELTS Academic speaking, or 55+ on the SPEAK) prior to the start of summer classes.
Contact Information
Questions about EAP5836 and the SPEAK should be directed to the University of Florida English Language Institute:
Maya Shastri, mshastri@ufl.eduEnglish Language InstituteUniversity of Florida223 Matherly HallPO Box 117051Phone: 352-392-2070