Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)

CESL Classes and the scores required for entrance into each level are as follows:

Course Title	Institutional TOEFL	Computer-based TOEFL	IBT
General English 1	Less than 400	Less than 97	less than 32
General English 2	400-417	97-107	32-35
Advanced English 1	420-447	110-130	36-44
Advanced English 2	450-467	133-147	45-51
English for Academic Purposes 1	470-487	150-160	52-56
English for Academic Purposes 2	490-517	163-187	57-67
Graduate Student English (GSE)	520 (530 for new students)	190	68

Successful completion of the Graduate Student English (GSE) course is considered the equivalent of a 550 TOEFL (213 on the computer-based TOEFL) for purposes of admission to SIUC.

Some departments require higher than a 550 TOEFL (213 CBT) and may not accept completion of the GSE course as meeting their departmental English requirement.

Please note that initial placement in courses is normally based on your score on an "Institutional TOEFL" (good only for admission at this institution) given at CESL upon your arrival. If an International TOEFL score has been sent to SIU, it may also be used for course placement.

The courses last 8 weeks during the Fall and Spring university semesters and 6 weeks during the university Summer term. Therefore, there are two 8-week CESL courses each Fall and Spring, and two 6-week CESL courses each Summer. Not all courses are taught each term. the GSE course, especially, is not always taught during each CESL term, because of limited enrollment. It is most often offered in October, March, and July. Please contact the CESL office directly regarding the availability of the GSE course for a particular term.

You must apply directly to the CESL program and receive an I-20 from that office.

If you are planning to attend graduate school at SIUC, it is wise to take the TOEFL before coming to enroll in CESL classes. Obtaining a score on the exam prior to coming to SIUC will at least give you an idea of the following: where you will likely be placed in classes, how long it may take you to finish any required lower level courses and then the Graduate Student English course, and how much it may cost you to complete the courses. You will then be able to estimate when you may actually begin your university courses. This is also very helpful to your proposed department in predicting when you may be able to enroll in the graduate program.

CESL Charges and Costs

Other Costs to Students	8 Week	6 Week
Health Service (approximate) SIUC Health Service provides primary care and major medical insurance	$200.00	$200.00
TOEFL Test Fee (per test)	$25.00	$25.00
Recreation	$47.50	$47.50
Books (average)	$100.00	$100.00
Dormitory and Food (approximate)	$1000.00	$940.00
Apartments ($250 - $500 per month)
Incidental Costs - Expenses for entertainment and incidentals amount to $35 - $50 per week for the average student

For further information regarding the CESL program, you may contact Joy Carter at cesl@siu.edu, by fax at 618-453-6527 or by phone at 618-453-2265.

Questions regarding the Graduate Assistantship\Fellowship Office: Contact gaoffice@siu.edu