According to the student enrollment reports, there are more than 4,750 foreign students on campus. These students not only have to deal with adjusting to a new social and learning environment, but they are also required by the University to take a number of tests to evaluate their English-language proficiency.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language is the first of two required tests. The TOEFL consists of three parts: listening, writing and reading.

Cecilio Barrera, associate dean of the graduate college, said the purpose of the test is to evaluate the English proficiency of each student.

“Our instruction is in English. We want them (foreign students) to have sufficient skills to be able to follow along orally, as well as in their texts,” Barrera said. “We have to have some way of determining what their level of proficiency is.”

Foreign students can be exempt from the TOEFL if they are from a country in which English is the primary and official language. They also can earn exemption if they hold a graduate degree from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the primary language, he said.

Barrera said the TOEFL determines if a student needs additional instruction.

“If they take the TOEFL and score above a 610, they will be exempt from further testing. Students testing below that are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT),” Barrera said. “Depending on the results of this test, students may need to take English as Second Language courses.”

Bruce Wicks, associate professor and graduate studies director for the department of recreation, sport and tourism, said he feels testing a student’s proficiency is both rational and important.

“Many of these students are very bright, but they are required to read very academic material. For international students, they may have to read an article three times or four times, whereas another student may only read it once or twice,” Wicks said. “We don’t want them to fall behind or feel intimidated.”

Wicks added that these communication skills will give students a greater opportunity to be successful.

“We really are trying our best to make sure these potential students have the communication skills to function. They want to be a success and we want them to be a success too,” Wicks said.

More than 70 percent of the international students at the University are graduate students. Barrera said there is a reason for that.

“Historically, graduate students are the ones who are attracted to our program,” he said. “Financially, it is easier for them to come here. Departments generally offer teaching and research assistanceships for them.”

Wicks said campus assistanceships are important because they can waive fees and tuition. And because of student visa restrictions, foreign students are not allowed to have off-campus jobs.

Sunny Jeong, graduate student in the department of recreation, sport and tourism, explained, “They (foreign students) stick to studying. U.S. government regulations don’t want international people to make money, which is understandable. The purpose for the students who attend here is to study.”

However, international students can take advantage of teaching, research and graduate assistanceships on campus, but they must take the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) to do so.

This test, required by Illinois state law, rates a student’s overall communicative ability. A student must receive a score of 50 out of 60 in order to be eligible.

Jeong said that spoken tests can be frustrating.

“International students often see reading and writing as easier than speaking, depending on what language they speak,” Jeong said.

She said these tests are worth the reward of being able to attend school in the United States.

“They (foreign students) have a better chance of getting a job in their home country if they get a degree in the United States,” Jeong said. “They are able to get good jobs.”

Jeong added that getting comfortable in a new institution such as the University can take some time.

“The first year I got here, I was frustrated,” Jeong said. “The way I put my words together, it was difficult to understand. I didn’t want to be seen as a fool. Even though I had the knowledge and critique, the words wouldn’t come out how I would have liked.”

She found the same dissatisfaction when writing.

“The frustration (in writing) comes from the gap between a student’s potential writing in their mother tongue and the levels of writing in English,” Jeong said. “Even though I am proud that I am able to write in English, it is not satisfactory.”

Jeong said she believes international students are able to succeed and feel better about their work with encouragement from professors.

“It makes sense that some professors have little tolerance for international students, because they need to keep the standards high,” Jeong said. “But when a professor has tolerance, it helps the students to learn and understand more quickly.”

Barrera said that, aside from success in their studies, another purpose for the vast number of tests is the social aspect of school.

“We want for them to engage in part of the student community on the campus,” Barrera said. “Communication is part of that.”

Jeong said that a positive social atmosphere makes her time in the United States more enjoyable.

“When I came here in 2001, I made friends through parties and events,” Jeong said.

Jeong has been the acting president for the Korean Student Association (KSA) since last May. This 1,200-member organization is the largest Registered Student Organization on campus.

Jeong said KSA sees about 300 to 500 new members every fall. They participate in numerous cultural events throughout the year, such as their unique Thanksgiving celebration that takes place on campus in September. The group has also created a mentorship program for Korean students and has an online counseling center.

“It feels good to have people to talk to in Korean,” Jeong said. “It gives me a break, especially when I talk about hardships. These people can understand my behavior.”

Jeong said she has become comfortable with the University and feels welcomed, even thousands of miles away from home.

“I feel like everybody knows me,” Jeong said.