The GPC ESL program requires students to pass an Exit Writing Sample before they can exit the ESL program. The Exit is a test of language proficiency. Its purpose is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate that they can perform appropriate, college-level writing tasks.

Description

The ESL Exit consists of  two compositions that are written as the final exam in ENSL 0091.  Students write one each on different days in 75 minutes from a choice of two assigned topics that they have not previously seen.  Students write their Exits in Blue Books (examination books) in pen or pencil and may use a paper English-English dictionary throughout the writing period. Students need to supply a clean Blue Book to their teacher, for the Exit. Blue Books are available in the college bookstore.

Evaluation

All the ESL Department teachers cooperate to read and rate the Exits. Three raters will read each paper, looking for the competencies mentioned below. One of those raters is the student's classroom instructor.  If two raters (of the three) mark a paper as passing, the writer passes the Exit essay.

A Passing Paper

Develops the prompt in a organized manner, moving coherently from one point to the next.  The ideas relate clearly and easily to the writing prompt and demonstrate an ability to develop a point with appropriate details.  A variety of sentence structures are used, and the grammar and mechanics show consistent control of linguistic form; however, some serious errors are acceptable in that those errors are not of sufficient quantity or severity to interfere with the writer’s meaning.  The wording is usually, but not always, idiomatic.

A Failing Paper

Demonstrates some attempt to organize the ideas and provide relevant details.  A variety of sentence structures are used; however, the structures may at times be faulty.  The grammar demonstrates a lack of consistent control of discrete linguistic forms.  Ideas are sometimes expressed unidiomatically.

Notification of Results

Do not call the ESL department, trying to get your results by telephone. You can receive your results from your teacher:

• By GPC e-mail account, if you give your teacher your GPC e-mail address.
• Posted in iCollege "My Record" Gradebook
• By mail, if you supply a stamped, self-addressed envelope.