Placement
Placement is a procedure by which instructors determine the proper level of instruction for students. A placement test is given to each new student during orientation to determine the proper level of instruction. During the first week of class, instructors administer pretests and carefully review each students performance. Adjustments may be made by the CELCIS Chair if any students have demonstrated English proficiency above the level they are currently in. These procedures ensure that students get full benefit from the program as they progress through the levels.
Step 1: New student testing (orientation)
- Oral evaluation—instructors interview student for three to five minutes.
- Writing test—timed writing sample on a given topic. Lasts approximately 25 minutes.
- Placement test—listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension. Lasts approximately 65 minutes.
Step 2: Placement based on test results
You will be assigned to classes according to the results of your placement tests.
Step 3: Course pretests for all students (first days of classes)
- Speaking/Listening class pretest—listening comprehension, speaking.
- Grammar/Communication class pretest—grammar, grammar test.
- Reading/Writing Class pretest—Reading comprehension, writing.
Step 4: Level change (first three days of classes)
Instructors will determine if any students have demonstrated English proficiency ABOVE the level they are currently in. If it is decided that a student should be moved to a different level, the student will be notified by email to come to the office to pick up a new schedule.
Level change (student request)
If you want to change your CELCIS placement, you should follow these steps:
- Talk to your teachers, the CELCIS Chair (Ms. Copija), or the CELCIS Assistant Manager (Caroline) about changing your level
Fill out the “CELCIS Level Change Form” by printing it from our website
level_change_form.pdf 121.7 KBOr by picking one up in the CELCIS office. It should be submitted within the first 3 days of the semester.
- Submit the form to the CELCIS Chair or Assistant Manager
- We will review your placement test results and the pre-tests you took during the first week of classes, and we will consult with your teachers about your skills.
- A final decision will be made by the Chair before the “Last Day to Add/Drop” date on the Academic Calendar
You will be sent an email with the final decision and a new class schedule if applicable.
If you do not attend the first 3 days of class, you are not eligible to request a level change
Eligibility
- Students on Probation 2 are not eligible for level changes.
- To move to a higher level, a student must demonstrate English proficiency above the level he/she is currently in.
- Students on Probation 1 who are moved to a higher level will remain on Probation 1.
- Students who miss the first 3 days of class may not request a level change
- Changing sections (within the same level) is not permitted except in special circumstances:
- If a student fails a class and is then placed in the same class with the same teacher the following semester, that student may request a section change.
- If a student has a physical disability that requires a specific classroom building, that student may request a section change. However, the student needs to first bring to the CELCIS office 1) a letter from a physician that specifically describes the physical disability and 2) a letter of support from WMU’s Disability Services for Students Office. The CELCIS office must receive these documents before any change will be considered.
While CELCIS makes an effort to accommodate student requests, it is not always possible or desirable to do so. To request a level change, please complete the Level Change Form. CELCIS does not make changes after CENSUS because such a change would be detrimental to a student’s learning and progress through the program.