Welcome to UC Davis! International and Academic English offers assessment and support to multilingual graduate students to help them be successful. This page contains information about how to meet university language requirements and how to receive English language support.

Graduate Language Requirements

There are three language requirements for graduate students.

• Admissions Requirement: This is what you needed to receive admission.
• First Year Course Requirement: This is focused on your writing skills. If you haven’t met this requirement yet, you should take a University Writing Program (UWP) course in your first year (225/226).
• TA/AI Language Proficiency Requirement: This is focused on your speaking skills and is only necessary if you plan to hold a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Associate Instructor (AI) position. You do not need to meet this requirement to hold a Reader or a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) position.

Note that the three requirements above are UC Davis requirements; your specific department may have additional requirements.

Graduate Language Requirements FAQs

• Am I eligible to work as a TA? Do I need to take the TOEP?
• Use TALRA to see. This tool will check your eligibility, let you know if you need to complete anything else to meet the TA language proficiency requirement, and record your eligibility status so that departments can see if you’ve met the requirement.
• When can I take the TOEP?
• The TOEP is offered at the end of every quarter. Students starting in Fall will be able to take the TOEP at the end of Summer (August-September). Incoming students cannot test earlier than the end of Summer. Registration for end of Summer testing opens in early August. To receive an email when TOEP registration opens, you can join the IAE grad email list.
• I used English in my undergraduate program, so I'm eligible to work as a TA, right?
• If you completed your undergraduate degree at an institution that lists English as the only language of instruction in the World Higher Education Database, you have met the TA Language Proficiency Requirement. Please use TALRA to record your status.
• Why can’t I access TALRA?
• The TA Language Requirement Application (TALRA) can only be used by active students. If you were recently admitted, you will need to wait a few weeks until your data is populated. Try accessing the app a few weeks before you begin your first term. In the meantime, you can review the ways to meet the TA Language requirement here: TA/AI Language Proficiency Requirement.
• The language of instruction for my undergraduate studies was English, but my institution isn't listed in the WHED as being English only. Can I send you documentation to confirm my degree was taught only in English?
• No. The WHED is the only tool used for this verification, and it must show English as the only language of instruction for your undergraduate degree to meet this requirement. No other documentation will be reviewed or accepted.
• I completed a graduate program in English; does that count for the TA/AI Language Proficiency Requirement?
• No. Completion of a graduate degree in English does not satisfy the requirement.
• I have worked as a TA before; can I be a TA here without taking a test?
• Prior work as a TA at another university does not satisfy the TA Language Requirement. Use TALRA to check your eligibility.

Graduate Language Support

The two main language support options for multilingual graduate students are:

• Language & Culture Coaching (LCC): This program focuses on speaking skills. In LCC, multilingual graduate students work toward developing their oral English skills so they can communicate effectively, especially if they are working as or preparing to work as TAs. In this personalized program, students can choose from four different tracks based on their needs and goals.
• University Writing Program (UWP): This program focuses on writing skills. There are three courses designed for multilingual graduate students: UWP 225, UWP 226, and UWP 391.

Graduate Language Support FAQs

• When is Language & Culture Coaching offered?
• Language & Culture Coaching is offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring. A limited version is also offered during Summer Session II. In summer coaching, students do not need to enroll in a course, and only Track 1 is offered.
• Can I do Language & Culture Coaching before I start in the Fall?
• Yes, you can participate in coaching during Summer Session II before you begin your program in the Fall. Registration will open for summer coaching in late July.
• Which tracks should I sign up for in LCC?
• You can sign up for language advising from Emily Montgomery in International & Academic English to help you identify the tracks that may be most helpful to you.
• When will UWP 225/226 be offered?
• Please contact Catherine Hatzakos in the University Writing Program for information about the UWP courses for multilingual students.
• What courses does UWP offer for multilingual graduate students?
• UWP 225 is a multi-skills course, UWP 226 is a graduate writing course, and UWP 391 is an oral skills course for TAs. UWP Course Descriptions.