English for International Students

Web site: http://www.duke.edu/web/eis/
Contact: Maria Parker
Program Director: English for International Students
Address: 353 Gross Chemistry
Phone: 613-8125

The comprehensive strategic plan, “Building on Excellence”, which has guided Duke since 2001 includes two goals that directly address the important role of international students at Duke: 1) to promote major multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary programs, and 2) to promote diversity in all aspects of campus life. The plan recognizes that the experiences, knowledge, and background international students bring to Duke make a unique contribution to both to their individual departments and to the entire academic community.

The English for International Students (EIS) program directly serves these two goals of the strategic plan. Our mission is to support the academic life of international graduate students by providing resources  that enable them to succeed in their academic programs and to build a community that actively seeks their intellectual contributions, allowing them to represent Duke University with excellence both domestically, on and off campus, and globally.

The EIS program was created by the Graduate School specifically to help international students improve their academic speaking and writing skills and prepare for greater success in their academic work. The Graduate School recognizes how important it is for international students to have strong language skills, and these courses thus receive the same credit as courses in the disciplines.

  • EIS courses in oral communication and academic writing focus on the specialized speaking and writing skills graduate students encounter and need to use in the academic community and environment. In addition to the TOEFL required for admission, all new international matriculants take English writing and speaking placement exams administered through the Graduate School.* Information about the exam dates and times is sent to departments several months in advance, announced at the Graduate School orientation, and available on the EIS Web site. Depending on the exam results, students may place into one or more EIS classes; however, we also welcome and encourage any other students who want to improve their English skills to enroll, regardless of exam result. Course enrollment is limited to 12 students to maximize individualized attention for each participant.
  • As an additional academic resource, a an ESL writing tutor is available at the Writing Studio in the fall and spring semesters to help international graduate students refine and edit course assignments and other writing projects such as thesis prospectuses, conference abstracts, journal articles, and grant proposals. Flyers and e-mail are sent to DGS’s, DGS assistants, and international students each semester with information on the tutor’s availability and how to contact him or her.

*For possible exceptions to this policy, please contact the EIS Program Director.

Other EIS activities and responsibilities include:

  • Expanding the academic orientation of all international students to include such issues as grading, plagiarism, communication with peers and faculty, and conventions of academic discourse.
  • Working with faculty in relation to international student academic performance and departmental expectations, including developing individualized instructional resources for at-risk students.
  • Improving communication among domestic students, international students, and faculty, both in the classroom and in less-structured academic settings.
  • Developing reliable testing instruments, conducting academic English proficiency testing, providing departments with reliable information about students’ written and verbal skill levels, and placing them in appropriate EIS classes.


Last updated: 08/04/2005