English Language Proficiency for J-1 Scholars

_{Documentation of English Proficiency}  

Prior to issuing a DS-2019 form, the sponsor (OIS on behalf of NC State), must verify the visitor’s English language proficiency through one of the four documented methods below:

1. A documented interview conducted by verified instructional staff of the Intensive English Program at NC State University with a CEFR Score of B-1 or above:
   • Scholars who do not have current test scores available and did not attend an English language school or an academic institution where the language of instruction is English may opt to schedule an online oral interview with NC State’s Intensive English Program (IEP) to determine whether the potential visitor has a language proficiency level that reasonably fulfills the U.S. Department of State’s requirements for J-1 Scholars and to support a successful personal and professional experience in the U.S.  
     • Interview Process:
       • The potential Visiting Scholar registers for an online IEP interview via Reporter (sign in using the guest gray Brickyard Login). 
       • Either the prospective scholar or their NC State department will pay the $50 interview fee via reporter.ncsu.edu.
       • Once registered, an IEP staff member will email the scholar a Google calendar invite with a Zoom link for online interviews.
       • An informal one-on-one interview will be conducted following OPI best practice. The interview will take between 20-30 minutes and consist of warm-up introductions, general questions related to the scholar’s past research, as well as their intended research at NC State. Candidates may be asked questions about their hometowns, upcoming travel plans and accommodations in the Raleigh area. 
       • The IEP instructor will record and score the interview based on a rubric that is used for all J-1 interviewees
       • IEP will send feedback and score to the prospective scholar via email within 3-5 business days
       • Prospective scholars are only eligible to attend an IEP interview twice. If a prospective scholar is unable to receive a CEFR score of B-1 or above via an IEP interview they will be asked to submit another form for English language proficiency documentation.
2. Signed documentation from the scholar’s academic institution where the language of instruction is English or from an English language school
   • To satisfy the U.S. Department of State criteria, the certification by an academic institution or an English language school must include the following on school letterhead.
     • Name of scholar
     • Issue date of letter
     • Dates the scholar either attended the institution or is/was employed with the institution 
       • NOTE: visitor must have been actively affiliated with the institution within the last 2 years to qualify
     • Title of school official
     • Printed name of school official
     • Signature of school official such as a Chair, Professor, Dean, PI, Academic Advisor, or English language instructor
     • The following statement, “Per U.S. Code of Federal Regulations section 22 § 62.10 (a)(2), I verify that the above-mentioned scholar possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, to participate successfully in their J-1 Exchange Visitor program at North Carolina State University, and to function on a day-to-day basis in the U.S.” 
     • Confirmation that the primary language of instruction is English
3. An objective, recognized English language test that is no more than 2 years old
   • The following tests and scores are acceptable to fulfill the English proficiency requirement:
     • TOEFL iBT: 60 (conversation subscore min. 16)
     • TOEFL Essentials Test: 7.5
     • DuoLingo: 95
     • IELTS: 6.0
4. A diploma or transcript of a completed degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education

Individuals who meet the following criteria are exempt from submitting proof of English proficiency: