Chapter 2

Faculty and Academics

2.33 Faculty Proficiency in English

The University of Texas at San Antonio affirms that all courses (with the exception of foreign language courses) will be taught in clearly spoken English. To guarantee this:

1. At the beginning of each long-term semester, newly appointed faculty will complete a form (distributed by department chairs) attesting that English is their primary language. Results will be reported via the deans' offices to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

2. Faculty for whom English is not their primary language will be contacted by their department chairs, who will direct them to the next steps whereby they can demonstrate their proficiency in spoken English. Department chairs will also forward the names of these faculty to their respective deans, who in turn will be responsible for certifying to the provost and vice president for academic affairs that these faculty members have demonstrated their proficiency in spoken English by satisfying the requirements listed below.

3. Faculty for whom English is not their primary language will be required to take the "SPEAK TEST" of the Educational Testing Service at the earliest scheduled date.¹ Information on the date and location of this test can be obtained from the Office of ESL Services.

4. Faculty who fail to achieve the satisfactory score (45) on this test will be required to enroll in the "English Skills for the Non-Native Professional" course and remain enrolled in said course until they achieve a satisfactory score on the aforementioned test.

5. Faculty who need to take the test or enroll in the "English Skills for Non-Native Professionals" course are required by state law to pay the cost of the test and the tuition for the course.

¹Faculty who attest that English is their primary language but who, according to a significant number of students complaints, do not speak English clearly may also be required to take this test. [Back to Section 2.33.C]

Editorial Amendment

Issued November, 2006

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