White Hall

Welcome to the English for Academic Purposes Program

The classes in this program follow the Cornell class schedule.  Spring semester classes begin on Monday, January 19, 2009 and end on Friday, May 1, 2009

The English for Academic Purposes Program serves mainly students of Cornell, both graduate and undergraduate who are non-native speakers of English.  To a smaller extent, we also serve non-degree students, employees, including post docs, and when we have space, visiting scholars and student spouses.

The Program offers an array of credit-bearing courses.  Our main focus in on writing, although we also provide speaking courses. 



Our program offices are located in 301, 302, 303 White Hall (pictured above) on the Arts Quadrangle (Arts Quad).  For general information, please contact Deborah Campbell, dc20@cornell.edu or (607) 255-0713. 

Graduate Students

Writing Courses

If a graduate student's incoming TOEFL score is below the cutoff score determined by the Graduate School, he or she will be asked by the Graduate School to take the Cornell English Placement Test.  The test results will show whether the student should have a writing course.  The placement decisions in order of frequency are, the student must take ENGLF 1011 (211), the student must take ENGLF 1005 (205, the student may take ENGLF 1011 (211)  optionally, or the student doesn't need a writing course. 

Many of our students, however, score above the TOEFL cutoff, particularly those taking the second semester courses, ENGLF 1012 (212), the research paper writing course, and ENGLF 1013 (213)  advanced writing. 

We often ask students with TOEFL scores above the cutoff to take the Cornell English Placement Test so that we can ensure that they are in a course from which they will benefit.

Speaking Courses

ENGLF 1009 (209) and ENGLF 1010 (210) may be taken by students who feel they need to practice their speaking.  (See  Courses).   The Cornell English Placement Test is not required.


The Cornell English Placement Test

Students who wish to take a writing course must first take the English Placement Test.  The results ndicate what level of writing course would be suitable. The test consists of a dictation of an approximately 100-word passage, a reading section, and a composition.  It lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, which includes some paperwork at the beginning. 

The test is always given at the beginning of the fall semester, on the Monday before the first day of classes and the spring semester the Wednesday before the first day of classes.  The time is always 6:30 to about 8:15.  The location varies.  Students do not need to bring anything with them, and no registration is necessary.


Undergraduate Students

English for Later Bilinguals, ENGLB 1115 (first semester) and ENGLB 1116 (second semester), are for undergraduate students only.  They are first-year writing seminars taught under the auspices of the John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines.  These three-credit courses count toward the writing seminar graduation requirement of undergraduate degree programs.

Students are placed in these courses through the Writing Assessment, which is given by the
Writing Workshop, or by permission of the instructor.

LInks of interest

• Graduate School
  The Graduate School will help graduate students with matters concerning their requirements to take English.
• ISSO (International Student and Scholars Office
  This is the place to go for information about visas, taxes and a whole wealth of other information
• English Programs in Ithaca
  This site, part of the ISSO site, is particularly useful for students with spouses who would like to work on their English language skills.
• Language Pairing Program
  This program may be able to pair you with an native English speaker. Your success in finding partner depends on how many native speakers have volunteered for the program.