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English as a Second Language

Are you looking to learn English for work, living or social integration and English is not your first or primary language?

REGISTER FOR ESL COMMUNITY EDUCATION >>

Do you want to be a Lake Michigan College student and need help to improve your academic English skills?

REGISTER FOR ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES >>

 

Are you interested in taking courses toward a degree at LMC, but English is not your first or primary language?
The College requires all degree-seeking applicants whose first language is not English to adequately demonstrate English competency as a part of the application process at LMC.

In some cases, applicants whose first language is not English may be exempt from taking these standardized tests. If English is not your first language, but you:

  • attended a U.S. high school for four years and graduated from a U.S. high school, or
  • satisfactorily completed one full academic year at a college or university in the U.S. as a full-time student without taking any ESL classes, or
  •  earned an accredited bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in the U.S., or
  •  are from a country where English is one of the official languages (e.g., Canada, Australia, Malta, Malawi, etc.)

then you might be exempt from taking a standardized test to demonstrate EAP language proficiency prior to or while applying to LMC. You can verify your exemption status by submitting official transcripts and citizenship documentation as part of your application.

If not exempt, non-native English speaking students looking to enroll in credit-bearing classes may demonstrate competency by submitting scores from ONE of the following internationally-recognized standardized English proficiency tests:

  • TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • TOEFL ITP
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • MET (Michigan English Test)
  • Pearson PTE
  • or any other standardized assessment approved by the Lake Michigan College.

Score reports of these tests must be sent from the test provider itself. It is the responsibility of the student applicant to contact the test provider to send a score report to LMC directly. Digital or photocopied copies of score reports sent by the applicant will not be accepted.

 

Language Proficiency Testing

Where can I take these tests?
These tests can be taken at testing centers all over the world and in southwest Michigan. To find a testing center location close to you, visit the test providers' websites provided above.​

If you have not yet taken one of these tests, you can indicate Lake Michigan College as the institution you want the scores sent to while you take the test. Most test providers allow you to send your score reports to one or two universities at no cost. Depending on the test provider, you may need to pay a fee for additional score reports to be sent.

Test scores are valid for a period of two years.

If you have already taken one of these tests within the past two years, you will need to follow the instructions specific to each test when requesting and sending your scores.

International students who need an F-1 student visa through LMC must submit scores from ONE of the above language tests as part of the documents needed to apply for an I-20.

TOEFL IBT TEST SCORES

When taking the TOEFL iBT test, please include the code number for Lake Michigan College: 1137.

If you request an official paper copy for any TOEFL test, please allow 7–10 days after the mailing date for delivery in the United States, and 4–6 weeks for locations outside the United States.

OTHER TEST SCORES

For IELTS, MET or other test scores, please contact the test center directly and request that your official test scores be sent to the address below. We do not accept unofficial Test Report Forms from students. An institutional code is NOT required when sending reports.

Submit to:

English Program Specialist
Lake Michigan College
2755 E. Napier Avenue
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
United States
esl@lakemichigancollege.edu

To enroll in credit-bearing courses at LMC, the College requires minimum scores on ONE of the following:

  • TOELF iBT:  an overall score of 61 or higher
  • TOEFL ITP: - an overall score of 500 or higher
  • IELTS: an overall score of 6.0 or higher
  • MET: an overall score of 46 or higher
  • Pearson PTE: an overall score of 46 or higher

Test scores must be received by:

  • March 1 for the Summer term
  • July 1 for the Fall term
  • November 1 for the Spring term

Questions regarding Assessment for ESL students should be directed to the ESL Program Specialist via phone (269) 927-4557 or email esl@lakemichigancollege.edu.