Read more
The student demographic of universities today has changed quite dramatically from even a decade ago. As universities seek to internationalise, widen participation and derive attendant reputational and financial benefits, along with greater opportunities for research collaborations and industry links, they also face a growing challenge associated with what Neil Murray terms 'the English language question'. In particular, as the proportion of students of non-English speaking backgrounds entering universities increases, there is growing concern over levels of language proficiency and what this can mean for educational standards, the student experience and, ultimately, institutional standing. Standards of English in Higher Education unpacks a number of key and interrelated issues - for example, the assessment of proficiency and the structure and nature of provision - that bear on the question of English language standards, and in doing so offers a frank and critical appraisal of English language in higher education today.
List of contents
1. The 'English language question' in the context of the changing face of higher education; 2. English language: the need for and impact of policy and regulation; 3. Seeking definitional clarity: what is 'English language proficiency'?; 4. Pre-enrolment language assessment and English language conditions of entry; 5. Post-enrolment language assessment: challenges and opportunities; 6. From assessment to provision; 7. Innovation in English language provision: driving and navigating institutional change; 8. Innovation in English language provision in higher education: an Australian case study.
About the author
Neil Murray is Reader in Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Applied Linguistics, University of Warwick, and adjunct member of the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures at the University of South Australia, where he was previously Head of Language and Literacy.
Summary
Essential reading for policymakers, senior university managers, university English language providers, admissions bodies, and the many academics who find themselves teaching students who struggle to cope with the language demands of their degree courses, this book identifies and clarifies key issues and challenges, and recommends strategies for addressing them.
