FAQs about ESL Writing Courses for Credit

Can I complete my undergraduate English requirement by taking these courses?

Yes. As a non-native speaker of English, you may complete the English portion of your general education requirement (GER) for your bachelor's degree by taking ESL writing courses instead of the writing courses designed for native speakers of English.

If you take ESL writing courses for credit, you will not need to take English 095 or 101. You will need to take English 102, but you may choose to take a special section of English 102 reserved for students who grew up speaking a language other than English at home. Contact Cathy Kaye (cjkaye@uwm.edu, 229-6180 or Curtin 678) to register for an ESL section of English 102.

What is the ESL-PIC test?

The English as a Second Language-Placement in Composition (ESL-PIC) test is the placement test for the ESL writing courses for credit. The ESL-PIC test is not the same as the English Placement Test (EPT), which is the placement test for writing courses designed for native speakers of English. The ESL-PIC test takes about 75 minutes and asks you to write an essay on a specific topic, such as "Do you think it is better to eat at home or at a restaurant?" If you have already taken the EPT, you can also take the ESL-PIC test. You may take the ESL-PIC test more than once. There is no fee for taking the ESL-PIC test. Schedule a time to take the ESL-PIC test at the Testing Center: www.testingcenter.uwm.edu, Mellencamp B28, 414-229-4689.

How are the ESL writing courses different from the writing courses for native speakers of English?

• The ESL writing courses are designed to meet the specific language needs of people who grew up using a language other than English at home. The specially-trained ESL writing teachers provide one-on-one instruction for non-native speakers of English. In the ESL writing courses, you will learn the same kinds of college writing skills that native speakers of English learn in their college writing courses, but you will get additional ESL language instruction that is not available in the writing courses designed for native speakers of English. Non-native speakers of English often have difficulty passing the English courses designed for native speakers of English because they need instruction on specific language problems.

• You need to take the ESL-PIC test, even if you have already taken the EPT, to see which ESL writing course is right for you.

I've lived here a long time and speak English very well although my first home language was not English. Should I still take the ESL-PIC test?

Yes. Taking the ESL-PIC test will give you more information to help you decide which course sequence is better for you. Unless the EPT places you in English 102 or higher, you will benefit by taking ESL writing courses instead of the writing courses designed for native speakers of English.

I already took the TOEFL or IELTS. Do I still need to take the ESL-PIC test?

Yes. The TOEFL and IELTS tests measure your English proficiency to see if you are ready to study at the university level. These are pre-admission tests. The ESL-PIC test is a placement test to see which ESL writing course you should take to complete your GER English requirement. There is no fee for taking the ESL-PIC test.

I am a graduate student. May I take an ESL writing course?

Yes. Graduate students are welcome to take ESL writing courses.

Questions?

Cathy Kaye, ESL Writing Coordinator
e-mail: cjkaye@uwm.edu
phone: (414) 229-6180
office: Curtin 678