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What are the best practices for assessing international student language proficiency in HE programs?

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International students are a valuable and diverse group of learners in higher education (HE) programs, but they also face unique challenges related to language proficiency. Language skills are essential for academic success, social integration, and career development, but how can HE programs assess them effectively and fairly? In this article, you will learn about some of the best practices for evaluating the language abilities of international students, based on research and experience.

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Katherine Lesperance

Consultant and Training Provider Workplace Mental Health, Communication and Soft Skills
Dr. Muhammad Usman (PhD, CFCIPD, PFHEA, SFSEDA, SMIEEE, CMBE)

Founder and CEO "The Case HQ" | AI Strategist and Thought Leader | Professor (Associate) | Accreditation Consultant |…

1 Why language proficiency matters

Language proficiency is not just about knowing vocabulary and grammar, but also about being able to communicate in different contexts and purposes. For international students, language proficiency can affect their academic performance, their engagement with peers and instructors, their confidence and motivation, and their future opportunities. Therefore, HE programs should ensure that international students have the appropriate level of language skills to meet the expectations and demands of their courses and disciplines.

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Katherine Lesperance

Consultant and Training Provider Workplace Mental Health, Communication and Soft Skills
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In my experience as a language assessor using both Canadian Language Benchmarks and the European Framework of Reference, language assessments measure the listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities of a candidate using very specific, randomly drawn topics. Both the state of the candidate on the given day of the examination and the random topics shown do affect outcome. For example someone who worked as a health care professional may be better able to perform well when the topic they have been given has to do with going to a doctor's office. This is why it is important to specialize language assessments for higher education to the types of language they are likely to encounter in their particular program.

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Shadi Alzahrani

CEO @ Limitless Horizons | Lecturer @ King AbdulAziz University | PhD (Pending) | | SaudiTESOL Founder
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Language proficiency is pivotal for international students like myself. It's more than mastering vocabulary; it's about engaging confidently in academic discussions and forming connections. My language skills have not only enhanced my academic performance but also enriched my interactions with peers and instructors. It's opened doors to better understand the cultural nuances, making my educational journey more rewarding. Proficiency in the language has been a stepping stone to broader opportunities, setting a solid foundation for my future career prospects. Hence, HE programs emphasizing language proficiency are indeed shaping global-ready graduates.

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Uttam Jaiswal

Director @ Leap
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Best practices for assessing international student language proficiency in higher education programs include using multiple assessment tools, such as standardized tests, placement exams, writing samples, interviews, and oral assessments, to gain a comprehensive view of proficiency. Pre-arrival assessments and well-defined language proficiency benchmarks are essential to place students accurately. Implement ongoing assessment, provide tailored language support programs, offer timely feedback and resources, and ensure that faculty receive training in working with international students. Cultural competency training, peer tutoring, and inclusive language policies can enhance the experience.

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2 How to measure language proficiency

There are different ways to measure language proficiency, depending on the goals and criteria of the HE program. Some common methods include standardized tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS, which provide a general indication of the students' overall language ability. However, these tests may not reflect the specific academic skills and genres that the students need to master in their fields of study. Therefore, some HE programs also use alternative or supplementary assessments, such as portfolios, interviews, essays, or presentations, which can capture the students' language development and performance in more authentic and contextualized situations.

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Dr. Muhammad Usman (PhD, CFCIPD, PFHEA, SFSEDA, SMIEEE, CMBE)

Founder and CEO "The Case HQ" | AI Strategist and Thought Leader | Professor (Associate) | Accreditation Consultant | Scientific Patents | CIPD Level 7 SHRD | OTHM Level 8 SM&LP | Digital Learning Expert
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Measuring language proficiency in higher education (HE) isn't one-size-fits-all. While standardized tests like TOEFL or IELTS gauge general language skills, they might not assess academic-specific abilities vital for students' disciplines. Thus, HE programs often blend these tests with alternative evaluations. Portfolios, for example, showcase a student's progressive language mastery, while interviews and presentations assess spontaneous language use. Essays reflect a student's proficiency in academic writing. By combining general tests with context-specific assessments, institutions can gain a comprehensive insight into a student's true language capability, ensuring they're equipped for academic success in their chosen field.

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3 How to interpret language proficiency scores

Language proficiency scores can provide useful information about the students' strengths and weaknesses, but they should not be used as the sole or final criterion for admission or placement decisions. Language proficiency is not a fixed or static attribute, but a dynamic and variable one, that can change over time and across settings. Therefore, HE programs should interpret language proficiency scores with caution and flexibility, taking into account other factors, such as the students' prior learning experiences, their personal and academic goals, their cultural backgrounds, and their potential for improvement.

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4 How to support language proficiency development

Language proficiency development is a continuous and lifelong process, that requires ongoing support and feedback from HE programs. Language proficiency is not only the responsibility of the students, but also of the instructors, advisors, and administrators, who can create a conducive and inclusive learning environment for international students. Some of the ways to support language proficiency development include providing clear and explicit expectations and criteria, offering diverse and meaningful opportunities for language practice and interaction, giving constructive and timely feedback, and facilitating access to relevant and accessible resources and services.

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5 How to evaluate language proficiency outcomes

Language proficiency outcomes are the results and benefits of the students' language learning and use in HE programs. Language proficiency outcomes can be evaluated at different levels and stages, such as individual, course, program, or institutional level, and at the beginning, middle, or end of the students' studies. Some of the methods to evaluate language proficiency outcomes include surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or self-assessments, which can elicit the students' perceptions, experiences, achievements, and satisfaction with their language learning and use. Language proficiency outcomes can help HE programs identify the strengths and gaps of their language assessment and support practices, and inform future improvements and innovations.

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6 How to foster language proficiency awareness

Language proficiency awareness is the recognition and appreciation of the importance and complexity of language proficiency in HE programs. Language proficiency awareness can enhance the students' motivation and autonomy, the instructors' pedagogy and empathy, and the administrators' policy and advocacy. Language proficiency awareness can be fostered by promoting dialogue and collaboration among different stakeholders, such as students, instructors, advisors, administrators, and employers, who can share their perspectives, expectations, and challenges related to language proficiency. Language proficiency awareness can also be fostered by celebrating and showcasing the students' language achievements and diversity, and by acknowledging and addressing the issues and barriers that international students may face due to language proficiency.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best practices for assessing international student language proficiency in HE programs?

1

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3

4

5

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7

1 Why language proficiency matters

2 How to measure language proficiency

3 How to interpret language proficiency scores

4 How to support language proficiency development

5 How to evaluate language proficiency outcomes

6 How to foster language proficiency awareness

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

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What are the best practices for assessing international student language proficiency in HE programs?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Why language proficiency matters

2 How to measure language proficiency

3 How to interpret language proficiency scores

4 How to support language proficiency development

5 How to evaluate language proficiency outcomes

6 How to foster language proficiency awareness

7 Here’s what else to consider

Higher Education

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