English for Teaching (EFT) Requirement

Before January 2026

The institutional Oral English Certification Test (OECT), administered by the Graduate College, has been used to determine whether ITAs satisfy the requirement before their teaching appointment, or whether they need additional support and must take GR ST 5400 English for Teaching Purposes courses.

After January 2026

New ITAs will not be required to take the OECT before their teaching appointment. Instead, their TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores will determine one of the English language support options below.

This change is implemented to provide flexibility for ITAs needing to satisfy the English for Teaching Purposes requirement and to increase effectiveness and efficiency in complying with the Board of Regents' mandate.

TOEFL assessment tasks and test scores will change starting January 2026. These changes significantly impact the interpretation and uses of the new TOEFL. Consideration will be given to both old and new TOEFL scores. 

ITAs should check their TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores. If their scores exempt them from required English language support, they should contact itas@iastate.edu to request an exemption. If not, they should pursue placement into the appropriate English language support option.

• For English Communication Practice (ECP) Program, complete the Enrollment in the ECP Form.
• For GRST 5400, register for the appropriate course section in Workday. Instructions can be found here: Workday Student: Request a Prerequisite Override for Registration (Instructor Permission). 

New ITAs who do not have TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores and do not qualify for an exemption will be required to take the OECT

The ECP Program is a flexible, non-credit-bearing program, while the GRST 5400 is a three-credit course. 

• ITAs in the ECP program schedule eight individual speaking consultations, participate in four Peer Speaking Practice Group (PSPG) sessions, and attend one professional development event focused on oral communication.
• ITAs in GRST 5400 complete a full-semester curriculum with weekly topics, in-class practice, and formal assignments.

• Completion of the English Communication Practice (ECP) Program or of GRST 5400D will meet the English for Teaching Purposes requirement. No further action will be needed.
• Completion of GRST 5400B or C will necessitate one of the following actions:
  • Enroll in GRST 5400D if ITAs need to teach lecture or discussion sections in future semesters.
  • Take the OECT if ITAs would like to attempt testing out from the GRST 5400D; OECT Level 1 is required for testing out.
  • No further action if ITAs only teach laboratory sections and conduct office hours.

Yes, ITAs can perform the following duties while being placed in:

• English Communication Practice (ECP) Program and GRST 5400D: Teaching lecture, discussion, studio, or lab sections, and conducting office hours.
• GRST 5400B and C: Teaching lab sections and conducting office hours.

New ITAs who only have grading assignments and no direct interactions with students will not be required to take the OECT and will not be placed into any of the above-listed English language support options. They may choose to participate voluntarily in any support programming offered by the Center for Communication Excellence.

• PFF applicants will follow the same procedures. Those with TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores will be placed directly into the respective options. Those without language test scores will need to take the OECT.
• PFF applicants who are postdoctoral scholars may be eligible for an exemption if they have the necessary TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo scores. If their scores fall below the exemption range, they will need to enroll in the English Communication Practice (ECP) Program.
• Postdoctoral scholars applying for PFF may be exempt if they have prior teaching experience at a higher education institution where English is the primary language. To apply for the exemption, a letter from a supervisor or principal investigator can be sent to itas@iastate.edu.