English Program

Course Descriptions

Pre-Academic Level:

• PLS 1001 - Pre-Academic Listening & Speaking (pp. 9-10);
• PRD1001 - Pre-academic Reading (pp. 11-12);
• PWG1001 - Pre-academic Writing and Grammar (pp. 13-14).

Academic Level 1:

• ALS 1001 - Academic Listening & Speaking (pp. 15-16);
• ARD1001 - Academic Reading (pp. 17-18)
• AWG1001 - Academic Writing and Grammar (pp. 19-20)

Academic Level 2:

• ALS 1002 - Academic Listening & Speaking (pp. 21-22);
• ARD1002 - Academic Reading (pp. 23-24);
• AWG1002 - Academic Writing and Grammar (pp. 25-26).

Download Student Booklet

Entry Requirements & Course Placements

All students are placed into Language Center classes based on the results of their TOEFL exam and the Language Center’s writing placement test (WPT).  To enter the university, all students must achieve a minimum level of 380 on the ITP TOEFL exam (or equivalent).  In addition, depending on the results of these tests, students will be assigned to courses in pre-academic, level one, or level two of the Intensive English Program, or a combination of levels 1 and 2 according to their TOEFL scores and Writing Placement Test.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students who score between 380 and 417 will be placed in the pre-academic level. Undergraduate students who have between 420 and 477 on the TOEFL will take the level one courses (20 hours per week). Those who score between 480 and 527 on the TOEFL will take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week of either the level two courses or a combination of level one and level two courses.

Undergraduate students who score 530 or higher on the TOEFL test may or may not have to take the writing course, depending on the WPT results.

Graduate Students

Graduate students who score between 380 and 417 will be placed in the pre-academic level. Those who score below 520 on the TOEFL will take the level one courses (20 hours per week). Graduate students who score between 520 and 547 on the TOEFL will take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week of either the level two courses or a combination of level one and level two courses.

Graduate students who score 550 or higher on the TOEFL test will be exempted from ALS and ARD. However, ALL graduate students take the WPT to determine whether a Language Center writing course is required or not. Specific information about the language requirements for graduate students may be obtained directly from their chosen school of specialty.

Courses Outside the Center

It is possible for a Language Center student to take classes outside the Language Center depending on which courses he/she is taking.  Al Akhawayn University students are generally allowed to take five courses with some exceptions for students on probation or those who have proven outstanding academic ability.

In general, Language Center undergraduate students who enter with a TOEFL score of 420-477 will take 20 hours in the Language Center, possibly adding a fifth course in another university department.  In addition, those who enter with a TOEFL score of above 480 will be able to take two or more other courses.

Placement Tests

The Language Center primarily uses the TOEFL exam and a writing placement test to assess a student’s English level and learning needs. Students who take the internet-based TOEFL exam also take a grammar placement test.

The TOEFL exam is a general test of English ability. There are two versions accepted at the Language Center, the institutional TOEFL, and the internet-based TOEFL. Both exams test a student’s ability to understand the English language. The Institutional TOEFL has three sections: listening, structure and written expression, and reading. The internet-based TOEFL has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Based on the results of the TOEFL, the Language Center can place a student into an appropriate level of courses or allow him/her to begin academic courses directly.

The writing placement test is a test designed by the Language Center and is given to all students to assess a student’s level of writing.  Students choose one of two prompts and write a paragraph or essay that demonstrates their ability to write in English correctly and effectively.  Through this test, the Language Center can place a student into the proper Academic Writing course or allow him/her to begin academic courses directly.

Exit Requirements

Passing the Language Center courses is a prerequisite for most Al Akhawayn programs.

Undergraduates

In order to pass a Language Center course, undergraduates must obtain a grade of 70 percent or above.

Intensive English Program:

A student who entered the Language Center with a TOEFL score between 420-447 will take the level one courses (20 hours per week) and will continue the following semester with the level two courses.

Students who take the level two courses will pass out of the Intensive English Program by obtaining a grade of 70 percent or above. Likewise, those who take a combination of levels one and two during the same semester will pass out of the Language Center by obtaining a grade of 70 percent or above.

For example, if a student is taking Reading 1, Listening/Speaking 2, and Writing and Grammar 1, he/she must obtain a grade of 70 percent or above for each course. The following semester he/she would continue with Reading 2, Writing and Grammar 2, and other non-Language Center courses.

Graduates

In order to pass a Language Center course, graduates must obtain a Language Center grade of 80 percent or above. A graduate student who enters the Language Center with a TOEFL score below 520 will take level one courses (20 hours per week) and will continue the following semester with level two courses.

A graduate student who enters the Language Center with a TOEFL score between 520-547 will take between 10 and 20-course hours per week and his/her schedule may be either only level two or a combination of levels one or two.

Students who take level two courses will pass out of the Intensive English Program by obtaining a grade of 80 percent or above. Those who take a combination of levels one and two during the same semester will pass out of the Language Center by obtaining a grade of 80 percent or above.

For example, if a student is taking Reading 1, Listening/Speaking 2, and Writing and Grammar 1, he/she must obtain a grade of 80 percent or above for each course and the following semester would continue with Reading 2, Writing and Grammar 2, and other non-Language Center courses.

Evaluation Policy

The English Program evaluates students in the following ways:

Classwork Grade

This grade is based on a broad combination of the student’s performance on homework, quizzes, lab assignments, in-class work, presentations, and other assignments. Students will receive classwork grades at the middle and end of the course.

Midterm Exam

Students will take a midterm test for every Language Center course they are enrolled in. All midterm tests take place during the seventh or eighth week of the semester.

Final Exam

A final examination of the same format as the midterms is administered at the end of the semester. Students take a final examination for every Language Center course they are enrolled in.

Final Course Grade

The grading system at the LC uses a letter system with associated percentage values. You will receive one final letter grade together with a percentage value in each course taken. It should be noted, however, that no grade point averages are awarded for these courses. In some cases, though, a virtual GPA is computed for evaluation purposes (See section f.). Therefore, they do not count toward the overall credit hours earned.

The minimal passing grade is C (i.e.70%) for undergraduates and B (i.e 80%) for graduates.

Grades are assigned according to the following letter system.

• PA: 90% - 100% - (Excellent);
• PB: 80% - 89% - (Good);
• PC: 70% - 79% - (Satisfactory);
• FD: 60% - 69% - (Fail);
• FF: 50% - 59%;
• WF: (Withdrawal).