Faculty researcher develops key component of English Language Good Practice Guide

The Guide is designed to help Higher Education institutions and regulatory bodies evaluate English language qualifications and tests, and offer English language support.

A researcher from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures has led the development of a key section of the newly published English Language Good Practice Guide, a joint initiative by the British Association of Lecturers for English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) and the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA).

The Guide is designed to help Higher Education institutions and regulatory bodies make fair, transparent and evidence-based decisions that protect academic standards, support international student success and experience, and safeguard the UK’s reputation as a world-class study destination. It brings together sector expertise from across the student journey including English for Academic Purposes (EAP) practitioners, academics and professionals working within UK higher education, and the student voice.

There are three main areas of focus:

• evaluating English language qualifications and tests
• English language on pre-sessional and pathway programmes
• approaches to in-sessional EAP during the main degree programme.

Dr Thuy Thai, Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at the Language Centre, School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and an expert in English language assessment, led the development and writing of the guidance on good practice in the evaluation of English language qualifications presented by international students seeking entry to UK higher education.

Dr Thuy Thai

“The Guide enables stakeholders to understand the complex landscape of governance and practice which underpins English language requirements within UK higher education,” Dr Thai explains. “These stakeholders range from academics and HE professionals working in international admissions, recruitment, compliance, and EAP, to those working within the context of English language compliance requirements such as the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) division of the Home Office.

“It emphasises the importance of a multi-layered approach to decision making, supported by well-governed practices, and provides operational guidance on how to implement processes which are transparent and auditable.”

To support sector-wide adoption, a series of national workshops is currently underway. The first session in July was designed and led by Dr Thai and focused on evaluation ofEnglish language qualifications.

Two further online workshops are scheduled for autumn:

• Workshop Two: English Language on Pre-sessional and Pathway Programmes – Wednesday 28 October, 1.30 pm–3pm.
  Speakers: Sora Zushi, Senior Lecturer in Foundation Education & Deputy Head of King's International Foundation, King's College London.
  Register here.
   
• Workshop Three: Approaches to In-sessional English for Academic Purposes – Wednesday 4 November, 3pm–4pm. Speakers: Timothy Chapman, Senior Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes, Goldsmiths, University of London. 
  Register here.

Full details and the complete document are available via the BUILA English Language Good Practice Guide or Our Expertise - BALEAP