ESL Credit
Program Facts
Fall and Spring Semesters, 10-week Courses
3 Hours/Week, 30 Hours/Semester
High Intermediate- Advanced Levels, CEFR B2-C2
In-person
The ESL Credit Program is designed for international graduate students and scholars at the University of Colorado Boulder or working professionals from the Boulder community.
International Graduate Student Courses
(2-credits)
This course is designed for international graduate students who want to polish and refine their spoken English skills. The course emphasizes producing increasingly accurate English stress, rhythm and intonation, and vowels and consonants. Students participate in listening and speaking activities targeting specific pronunciation features, prepare recordings, and deliver short presentations related to their field. Students receive weekly individualized feedback.
This course is designed for international graduate students who want to improve oral communication skills for effective academic, professional, and social interactions. Specific attention is given to presenting, explaining and clarifying ideas, negotiating, interrupting, hedging, and responding to questions. Students deliver short formal presentations and impromptu speeches, and lead and participate in group discussions. Students improve active listening skills, non-verbal communication, and English pronunciation.
International graduate students will automatically be awarded the International Graduate Communication Scholarship, which will cover the full tuition for ESLG 1140.
English language screening tests are available to international students enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder. The purpose of the tests is to assess students’ academic English proficiency and pronunciation.
Working professionals and community members who are not degree students are not required to take the tests.
International students in some departments, including those who will be TA's or RA's, are required to take English language screening tests in writing and/or speaking. All international students, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, should check with their college or department about testing requirements.
English Language Screening Test: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 and Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The speaking test is comprised of a short interview with two evaluators. Students will be asked a series of questions and will be evaluated in real-time on their speaking competence and overall comprehensibility. Each evaluator independently rates students using a speaking and pronunciation rubric.
Students receive their test results within one week after taking the test. Test results will indicate which courses, if any, are recommended or required.
Advisors with specific concerns about a student’s assessment should contact ieccu@colorado.edu.
The English Language Screening Test takes place online via Zoom.
Graduate students whose department requires them to take the test can register by clicking one of the links below.
English Language Screening Test: August 19, 2025 and August 26, 2025
Engineering students can register online by clicking the button below.
Students can register online by clicking the button below.
When registering for courses, letter grading (A, B, C, D, and F) is the traditional method for credit and grading. Most credit courses are taken with this option. However, students may take a credit course for no credit or pass/fail.
Note: Students who receive a scholarship for the ESLG 1130 course must take the course for a letter grade. Students who receive a scholarship for ESLG 1140 must take the course for a letter grade or as P/F.
Students pay full tuition for a no-credit course, and receive an NC on their transcript in place of a letter grade. No-credit courses do not count toward full-time enrollment for financial aid purposes. Students should consult their college or school for policies on no-credit courses.
Courses taken on a pass/fail basis are NOT noted on class rosters or final-grade lists, nor are instructors notified that a student is taking the course pass/fail. Students are assigned a grade for the course. A grade of D- or above is converted to a P (pass); an F remains an F (fail). Only the F is calculated as part of a student's GPA; a grade of P is not counted. Students should consult their college or school for policies on pass/fail courses.
Current University of Colorado Boulder students may register for ESL Credit Program courses through Buff Portal. Download the PDF below for step-by-step instructions on how to register for these courses in Buff Portal.
Enrollment for New Nondegree Students
If you are new to CU as a non-degree student, complete and submit the Enrollment Application for Continuing Education.
- Fall 2025 Enrollment Application (select "nondegree grad" on the application)
For questions about the application, please contact us at the office of Continuing Education:
Email: ceregistration@colorado.edu
Phone:303-492-5148
- Division of Continuing Education
1505 University Ave.
Boulder, CO 80309
- All dates and prices are subject to change without notice.
- All prices are in U.S. dollars.
- Tuition is due on the first day of class unless otherwise noted.
ESL Credit tuition is a separate charge and is not included as part of CU Boulder main campus tuition.
2-Credit Course (ESLG 1130, 1140*): $1030
*International graduate students will automatically be awarded the International Graduate Communication Scholarship, which will cover the full tuition for ESLG 1140.
Fall 2025
| Courses | Start Date | End Date | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESLG 1130-560 IEC 101 Instructor: TBD Pronunciation for International Graduate Students | September 15 | November 19 | M/W | 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
| ESLG 1130-561 IEC 101 Instructor: TBD Pronunciation for International Graduate Students | September 16 | November 20 | T/Th | 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
| ESLG 1140-560 Room: TBD Instructor: TBD Public Speaking for International Graduate Students | September 16 | November 20 | T/Th | 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM |
Students may add, drop, or withdraw via Buff Portal, email, or in person. When withdrawing, students will receive a grade of “W” on their transcript.
Email: ceregistration@colorado.edu
In Person:
Continuing Education
1505 University Avenue, Boulder
Spring 2025 Add/Drop/Withdraw Schedule
| November 4, 2024 | First Date to Enroll Open Enroll Date |
|---|---|
| February 3, 2025 | Session Begin Date |
| February 7, 2025 | Add Deadline (without signatures) Waitlist Deadline |
| February 12, 2025 | Deadline to withdraw from the course with a 100% refund. |
| February 19, 2025 | Deadline to withdraw from the course with a 60% refund. |
| February 26, 2025 | Deadline to withdraw from the course with a 40% refund |
| April 17, 2025 | Session End Date. |
No, students are not allowed to retake the screening test. If you are an RA or TA and have a concern about your test scores, please talk to your department.