English Proficiency
Learn more about English proficiency requirements for the International Student Program.
Proficiency Requirements
International students must be reasonably proficient in reading, writing and speaking English in order to benefit from instruction at the college level.
Students from non-English speaking countries will either need to provide proof of sufficient language skills, or attend the intensive English program here at El Camino. New students may demonstrate their English language proficiency by submitting passing scores for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or any of the below accepted forms of proof to the ISP office.
Test Code
The El Camino College code for the TOEFL and other tests is 4302.
Passing Scores and Levels
| Test | Passing Score |
| TOEFL | 45-IBT, 450-Paper (www.ets.org/toefl) |
| IELTS | 4.5 or higher (www.ielts.org) |
| TOEIC | 620 or higher (www.ets.org) |
| EIKEN | 2a or higher (www.eiken-ryugaku.com) |
| iTEP | 3.0 or higher (www.iTEPexam.com) |
| DUOLINGO | 75 or higher (www.duolingo.com) |
Test scores must be recent (no more than two years old).
| School | Passing Level |
| ECLA | Completed level 3 (www.elcamino.edu/academics/langacad) |
| LSI | Level 5 or higher (www.languagesystems.com) |
| ELS | Level 109 or higher (www.els.com) |
| ASPECT | Level 5 (www.aspectworld.com) |
| EF | B2-3 or higher (www.ef.com) |
| GEOS | Level 6 or higher (www.geosla.net) |
| FLS | Level 14 or higher (www.fls.net) |
| MENTOR | Completed highest level (www.mentoresl.net) |
| AOI | Completed highest level (www.aoicollege.com) |
| AEC | Completed level 6 (www.aec.edu) |
| ALC | Completed level 105 (www.international.uclaextension.edu/alc) |
| KAPLAN | Completed level B2 or higher (www.kaplan.com) |
| AELS | Completed level 5 or higher (https://www.aels.edu/) |
English Proficiency Waivers
Students may be exempt from providing English proficiency if they:
- Are a resident of and studied in an English-speaking country;
- Completed a degree in an American/British/Canadian high school in a non-English speaking country;
- Completed "O" or "A" levels in a former British colony (e.g., Singapore);
- Submit a letter stating that "English was the primary language of his/her instruction" (must be on official school letterhead);
- Studied English language as an exchange student for at least two semesters in a U.S. school and achieved a grade of "C" or higher; or
- Are transferring directly from an academic program at a U.S. college or university.
Standard Placement Exams
All new students must also take the English Department's Placement Test to determine a placement level in ESL or English. Placement testing is part of the orientation schedule, but students who wish to take the placement tests before orientation may do so by contacting the International Student Program office for testing information at isp@elcamino.edu.