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English Proficiency

Non-Native English Speakers

All applicants who do not speak English as their first language will be required to take an English proficiency test (the International Standardized TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language). This test includes oral comprehension and knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The TWE (Test of Written English) must be included in the scoring of the TOEFL in order for the test to be valid. The test and/or results must be sent directly to the college.

English Proficiency Entrance Requirements

The required entrance level is 79 Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) and 213 with the computer-based TOEFL (CBT). Those who score between 45 iBT  (133 CBT  ) and  61 iBT (173 CBT) will be allowed conditional acceptance into PBC and will be placed in our full-time ESL program.  If a student scores between 61 iBT (173 CBT) and 79 iBT (213 CBT), they will be allowed to enter the program of their choice, but will be required to take between two and six credit hours of ESL classes in addition to the PBC academic classes.  A score above 79 iBT (213 CBT) requires no ESL classes.

For those who score less then the required entrance level, PBC recommends attending the Language and Culture Institute of Oregon (LCIO) in order to raise their score. For more information concerning LCIO please visit their website at www.LCIO.US or email them at lciousa@gmail.com. Another possibility that students are encouraged to consider is enrolling in a correspondence course from the Church Leadership Training Institute.  Since CLTI credits are transferable to PBC, this gives more exposure to English, as well as helping students start on their degree. You can find more information at www.CLTI.org.

English as a Second Language Program

The ESL program is for all applicants scoring between 45 iBT (133 CBT  ) and 61 iBT (173 CBT)on the TOEFL.  Students in this program will live with an American host family, and are expected to be involved with PBC activities to the fullest.  It is a two-year program with the potential for students to graduate from it at the end of any semester during the two years. Please note that the cost of this program will be approximately $5,200 per semester.