English Language Proficiency

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program for Scholars & Student Interns

To comply with the U.S. Department of State regulations (22 C.F.R. § 62.10), submit evidence of one of the three options with the DS-2019 Online Request to document that a potential scholar meets the English Language Proficiency requirement:

Effective 1/1/2023 – the policy is subject to change

Option #1

English Language Proficiency Interview with the University of Colorado Denver ESL Academy

Option #2

English Language Test

Submit a score report from a test taken within the last two years that meets the minimum score below.

English Language Test*

Minimum Score

Website

TOEFL iBT

15 on Speaking and Listening Sections

https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about

IELTS

5 on Speaking and Listening Sections

http://www.ielts.org/

Cambridge English: First (FCE)

Pass

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

Pass

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/advanced/

TOEIC

Combined Score of 550

https://www.ets.org/toeic

DUOLINGO ENGLISH TEST

75 on 160-point scale

https://englishtest.duolingo.com/edu

*These tests were selected because they include a speaking/listening component.

OPTION #3 (A, B or C)

Interview conducted by the Faculty Sponsor

Submit evidence of A, B or C.

OPTION A

The potential scholar is a citizen of one of the countries listed on the right:

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom

 

Submit

  • Faculty sponsor interview report**; AND
  • Proof of citizenship

OPTION B

The potential scholar worked in a country listed above, the United States, or in an organization where business is conducted in English.

Submit

  • Faculty sponsor interview report**; AND
  • Verification of employment; AND
  • Documentation that the organization is located in a country listed above or the United States OR a letter from the organization confirming that it conducts business in English.

OPTION C

The potential scholar studied at a university in a country listed above, the United States, or at a university where English is the language of instruction.

Submit

  • Faculty sponsor interview report**; AND
  • Copy of a diploma, transcript, or other documentation that includes the university’s location in a country listed above or the United States OR a letter from the university or other official proof that the instruction was in English.

** Faculty Sponsor Interview Report Guidelines:

  1. The interview must be conducted in-person, by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option.
  2. The faculty sponsor does not have to use a specific set of questions, but the interview report must be on department letterhead and include the following:
  • Date and method of the interview.
  • Name and title of the person conducting the interview.
  • Name and current position of the prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor.
  • An assessment of whether the prospective exchange visitor is proficient in verbal English sufficient to participate in the J program activities proposed at the University of Colorado Denver I Anschutz Medical Campus.

English language proficiency is a requirement for participation in an Exchange Visitor program. ISSS cannot issue Form DS-2019 or can terminate a scholar’s J program if the requirement is not met.

International Student & Scholar Services

International Students

CU Denver

Student Commons Building

1201 Larimer Street

Suite 1119

Denver, CO 80204


International Scholars

CU Denver

Lawrence Street Center

1380 Lawrence Street

Suite 932

Denver, CO 80204


International Students & Scholars

CU Anschutz

Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place

Ground Floor: STE. EG305, EG305A, and EG306

Aurora, CO 80045


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