ENGLISH AT THE ECOLE DES PONTS
Unlike other foreign languages at the Ecole des Ponts, English is compulsory. We counter this by offering as much choice as possible throughout the DLC English programme. Our aim is to help students become expert users of English, capable of communicating effectively with both the native speaker community and with the international community where native speakers may be in a minority or absent, but where expert standards are still expected.
For the first, we have a teaching team of native speakers from varied backgrounds who offer many opportunities to widen and deepen your knowledge of culture, literature and language, through theme-based humanitiers courses in English. For the second, we make use of the fact that students in English classes are of varying levels, origins, characters and backgrounds, with different communication strategies and styles: not unlike future communication partners in the world.
CHOOSING YOUR ENGLISH COURSE
We usually encourage students to choose their second language course before they choose their English class, since there are more than 50 English classes available each semester. This does not mean that you should choose your English class just for the title, the teacher, or the time: each description will indicate the target population, the subject of the course, the kind and style of work involved, and the spirit or personality of the course. While choosing a course for one semester, students should also consider how this choice fits in with their total English programme over their time at the school - this should be more a question of covering a range of different content areas and competences than an apparently neat linguistic progression from one level to another.
Each course usuallyaccommdates a range of levels, so that even if students are not very strong in English, they can still choose a course on a subject that interests them. Some of our courses are language skill or level based, but most are organised around subjects. This is because we think that interesting and useful subjects are more motivating than language exercises detached from context, especially for students who have already studied English for many years. In this way, students can learn English and another subject at the same time. If levels are not entirely homogeneous as a result, this too is representative of the situation in the wider world, in which speakers learn from and adapt to one another.
THE TOEIC AND OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL EXAMS
A minimum of 785 points on the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) test or an equivalent level on another internationally recognized test or exam is an ENPC degree requirement. We organize several TOEIC tests here at the ENPC per academic year, and offer language improvement courses and coaching sessions for weaker students. TOEIC preparation materials are also available in the school library and online. Students will receive an email giving them information on test dates.
Students entering the school will sit a TOEIC test during their first semester at the ENPC: the result of this test will give students an idea of their level regarding the B2 level requirement required by the Commission des titres d'ingénieur (CTI).
If you have an equivalent international English test or exam, such as a Cambridge exams, IELTS or TOEFL, you will be asked to submit a scan or photocopy of your results it to the DLC, so that equivalence can be officially recognized.
The TOEIC is geared towards the use of English in the workplace, and is often demanded by future employers. It is NOT accepted by English-speaking universities, for which the American TOEFL or the British/Canadian/Australian IELTS is required (see below).
For the first year TOEIC sessions, you will be registered automatically and informed of the date that concerns you. Official score reports are to be collected from Diarietou Coulibaly in B223.
ENGLISH SPEAKING UNIVERSITIES
English-speaking universities require a test of English of all non-native students, either the American TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the British/Canadian/Australian IELTS (International English Language Testing System). 4Both tests measure your competence in academic English and your ability to live on an English-speaking campus. No university will accept the TOEIC (see above).