Manassas Campus ESL Policies

ESL Policies

1. How often can I take the placement test?

If you are taking ESL classes now at NVCC, you may not re-take the test without permission from the ESL division.

Students who receive a placement of "RCE" must wait six (6) months before re-testing; however, if you can prove that you have completed an ESL course at another college or community education program, you may request permission from the ESL division to retake the ESL Placement Test before the end of the waiting period.

Students who receive a placement level of 002-007 and have not taken an ESL/English class may repeat the test after one (1) year. Students who have taken classes in the past, but are not currently taking classes, may re-take the test one (1) year after the end of their last class.

2. Why can't I take it more often?

Students' results do not change very much when the test is re-taken in a short period. Allowing retakes encourages students to focus on the exam instead of the more important English skills that it measures.

3. Why doesn't the college use the TOEFL test?

The college's English and ESL programs are devoted to the improvement of writing and the TOEFL has no required writing component.
Students must schedule their own TOEFL tests months in advance and pay a fee. The college placement test does not require an appointment and there is no fee.

4. If I receive an "R" in an ESL class, can I re-take the placement test to get in to a higher level?

No. 16 weeks of evaluation by an instructor is a better measure of a student's skills than a two hour test. Therefore, course grades take precedence over placement test results, and the placement test may not be used to get around an "R" course grade.

5. I completed the entire ESL program at another college, and was ready to take ENG 111 before I transferred. Why am I back in ESL here?

Different colleges have different standards; this is one thing to consider when choosing a college. NVCC's English skills standards are certainly higher than some colleges and lower than others. The same can be said for its math skills standards.

6. Can I just take other courses and not worry about ESL?

Students must place into ESL level 3 before registering for other classes or before being allowed to take the math placement test. Students who want to take courses in a particular department should contact that department about the English requirements for particular courses.

7. Is there a fee?

No.

8. Where can I go for more information?

The ESL/Developmental Studies program is in the Communications Technologies & Social Sciences office, room MC234. You can also call (703) 257-6530 or e-mail Heidi Adamson at hadamson@nvcc.edu.