The first step in Princeton’s program is the ELP Summer Orientation. This is a three-day voluntary program, held the week before academic classes begin. The purpose of this program is to help students feel more comfortable expressing themselves in English.

In classes, students practice English language skills and learn about the American university system.  The orientation is open to all incoming international graduate students regardless of their level of proficiency in English.

Students will participate in approximately three hours of class time weekly.  Our courses are designed to help students gain confidence in speaking English in an academic setting.  Courses focus on improving fluency, accuracy, pronunciation, and vocabulary.  Students participate in a variety of communicative activities including recorded presentations. In addition students will:

• attend regular one-on-one tutorials with their instructor to work on presentation skills and pronunciation

• meet once a week for an hour with an American undergraduate for conversation practice and to learn about American culture. In groups of two or three, students have the opportunity to practice informal conversation with native speakers.

The Summer Intensive is a six week intensive program for students who have not passed the POPT during their first year at Princeton.  Throughout the program, students work on presentation and discussion skills, pronunciation, listening comprehension, vocabulary, and oral grammar.

The six week program begins in June and runs through mid-July.  Students who complete the program can retake POPT in early September.

Graduate School's Policy Concerning English Language Proficiency