English Language Proficiency

The U.S. Department of State requires that all J-1 Exchange Visitors have sufficient proficiency in the English language to successfully participate in the J-1 program and to "function on a day-to-day basis" in the United States.  The government requires that J-1 program sponsors verify and document that prospective J-1 Exchange Visitors possess sufficient proficiency.  Under the J-1 regulations, J-1 program sponsors can verify English language proficiency by one of the following:

1. A recognized English language test;
2. Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school; or,
3. A documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not an option.

If a prospective Exchange Visitor is not a native English speaker and has not earned a degree from an institution where English was the language of instruction, then the host department will either need to confirm that the Exchange Visitor has taken a recognized standardized English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) and meet the minimum requirement used by Dartmouth, or conduct an interview in English.  The faculty supervisor, department Chair, or other designated member of the department may conduct the interview.