Ohio Program of Intensive English programs are designed for international students who need to improve their English skills before starting a degree program or just wish to improve their English proficiency. Students can enroll in an English Only program to prepare for later educational studies, or they may be required to take our English courses as a condition of provisional admittance to an undergraduate or graduate program. We also offer other special training programs for cultural immersion.
After arrival to campus, most students are required to test. Based on your test scores and your student status (language study only, undergraduate, or graduate), you will be placed into the appropriate level and courses.
Level and class placement will be based on the results of the institutional TOEFL exam and the OPIE Composition Test.
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English-Only Program
Ohio University offers a Full-Time English Program for students who are not yet ready to take academic courses. The full-time program is a 15-week, semester-long program.
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University Success Pathway
In the University Success Pathway Program, undergraduate students admitted to Ohio University can get a head-start on their degrees by taking their first academic classes while completing their English-language studies.
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Graduate Courses
The Ohio Program of Intensive English provides varying levels of instruction and support to graduate students at Ohio University.
Non-native speakers of English who do not have sufficient test scores may apply for English Provisionaladmission. English Provisional admission is a combination of admission to the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) and future admission to a graduate degree-seeking program.
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International Training and Development
OPIE is frequently asked by the U.S. government to provide special programs in International Training and Development for Fulbright scholars, students, and English teachers.
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International Cultural Understanding Certificate
This Certificate Program is open to all Ohio University students.By participating in the non-academic activities associated with the International Cultural Understanding Certificate (ICUC), students have the chance to build upon their cultural competency, learn about different ways of life, and improve their ability to communicate with a variety of people.
English Proficiency Testing
All new OPIE students are required to test at the beginning of the semester. Students who arrive at the end of week 1 or later will be placed based on existing test results or grades.
- OPIE offers the English Placement Test during the beginning of a semester and once at the end of a semester. This test, formerly known as the Michigan, is for students who score below a 480 on the TOEFL ITP or who are studying in the Elementary or Intermediate levels of OPIE. This test provides OPIE with more accurate placement information for students in the Full-Time English Program.
- The English Placement Test is a multiple choice test that lasts 60 minutes and has 80 multiple choice items covering
- Listening comprehension of questions and short conversations.
- Grammar in conversational contexts.
- Selection of vocabulary to fit the context of single sentences.
- Reading comprehension of sentences and texts.
- Note: During the test, mobile phones and smart watches are not allowed; they cannot be carried in pockets, in bags, or at the testing seat. If bags, smart watches, or phones are brought to the test, a proctor will collect them and keep them for the duration of the test. Belongings will be returned to you when you finish the test.
OPIE offers the TOEFL (Institutional Testing Program-ITP) at Ohio University during the beginning of a semester and once at the end of a semester.
The TOEFL ITP is a 115-minute test and consists of
- 50 listening comprehension questions
- 40 structure and written expression questions
- 50 reading comprehension questions
View sample questions(opens in a new window) (Level 1).
No extra paper is provided during the test, and students may not write in the test booklet except during the listening comprehension section. During the test, mobile phones and smart watches are not allowed; they cannot be carried in pockets, in bags, or at the testing seat. If bags, smart watches, or phones are brought to the test, a proctor will collect them and keep them for the duration of the test. Belongings will be returned to you when you finish the test.
The regularly scheduled beginning-of-semester TOEFL, is offered during orientation week, usually the Tuesday before the start of the first week of classes.
At the end of the semester (EOS), OPIE offers the TOEFL on the Saturday after the last week of classes.
A student cannot retake the same BOS or EOS TOEFL because it is the same test. This is against Educational Testing Service (ETS) policy.
Along with the TOEFL ITP, students will also be required to take a 35-minute OPIE Composition Test.
- See a Sample Composition Prompt .
- All compositions are read and rated by at least two OPIE instructors.
- The OPIE Composition Rubric is used for rating.
There is also a small testing center on the Ohio University campus in Bromley Hall (Lower Level) at 42 West Union St. (740-597-1537).
Notes:
- Interested students should register for the test .
- When registering, you must use exactly the same name that appears on the primary identification document you will present at the test center. Primary identification for testing is your passport.
- Make sure to provide your entire first (given name) and entire surname (family name). DO NOT register under a nickname. If the name shown on your primary identification does not match the name you’re registered under, you will not be permitted to test.
- Please check with ETS and the testing center on how frequently you can take the TOEFL iBT test.
- Test takers with special needs should phone 1-866-387-8602 for registration.
- On test day, arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the test time for check-in. If you are late for your appointment, you may not be admitted for testing. You will be required to read and sign forms, a confidentiality form, and an information form.
- Scores are posted to your account online six business days after the test date.
- TOEFL results should be sent electronically directly from the testing agency (school code 1593).
- Examinees may select up to four score recipients during registration; score recipients can be added up until 10 p.m. on the day prior to the test date.
- Test scores are retained in a database for two years. Undergraduate Admissions at Ohio University accepts scores taken within one year of the test date. The Ohio University Graduate College accepts scores taken within two years of the test date.
- Please notify OPIE that your iBT scores are on the way. OPIE does not automatically receive them.
- Official score reports are mailed within 11 daysafter your test date. Delivery times vary based on local postal services ( http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/scores/get/ .
- To use TOEFL iBT scores for placement in OPIE, your official scores must be available in the University database by the end of the first week of the semester.
- The test takes about three hours to complete but you should plan for 3½ hours, allowing 30 minutes for check-in ( https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content .
- View Policies and Requirements for Test Day
View Sample iBT Test Items
Program Levels
1. Elementary
(20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)
- grammar/communication situations (12 hours/week)
- listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
- reading/writing (4 hours/week)
2. Intermediate
(20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)
- grammar/writing (12 hours/week)
- listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
- reading/vocabulary (4 hours/week)
3. Advanced
20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)
- grammar/writing/reading (12 hours/week)
- listening/note-taking/speaking (4 hours/week)
- academic reading skills (4 hours/week)
Pathway Level 1
- 8-hour combined skills course* + 4-hour grammar course*** (total: 12 hours/week)
- General-education academic course, taken with Pathway classmates (3-4 credits)
- Learning community seminar** (1 credit)
- One additional academic course, selected in consultation with an academic advisor (math recommended)
Pathway Level 2***
- 8-hour combined skills course* (total: 8 hours/week)
- General-education academic course, taken with Pathway classmates (3-4 credits)
- Two additional courses, selected in consultation with an academic advisor (math recommended)
Pathway Level Notes:
*Eight-hour combined skill courses prepare students for success in American university classes by developing needed language, study, and academic performance skills through a variety of reading, writing, listening, speaking, thinking, and problem-solving activities.
**During an undergraduate’s first semester in any Pathway Level, a 1 credit hour learning community seminar (e.g. UC 1900) is required.
***For most students, Pathway 2 is the final level. Students who need additional time to study English may be placed in Pathway Level 3. In this level, students will take 4-8 hours of English in addition to academic classes. Pathway 3 students work with OPIE and their academic advisors to create a schedule that best meets their needs. -Students who do not register for academic classes, must enroll in 16 hours of English study at the Bridge Level. Also, students will attend 2 or more hours of program activities (e.g., writing lab, lecture series, conversation hour, etc.) per week.
Graduate and English-Only Students
16-hour Bridge
- 8-hour combined skills course* + two 4-hour courses** (total 16 hours/week)
Bridge Level Notes:
*Eight-hour combined skill courses prepare students for success in American university classes by developing needed language, study, and academic performance skills through a variety of reading, writing, listening, speaking, thinking, and problem-solving activities.
**Students take a four-hour course such as academic reading skills, grammar, composition, and academic listening and speaking or an elective such as Exploring American Culture or Reading and Writing about Literature. -Also, students will attend 2 or more hours of program activities (e.g., writing lab, lecture series, conversation hour, etc.) per week.