The impact of English language test choice for higher education admissions in the UK: perceptions of key stakeholders.
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| Title: | The impact of English language test choice for higher education admissions in the UK: perceptions of key stakeholders. |
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| Authors: | Bruce, Emma emma.bruce@britishcouncil.org, Kinnear, Susan, Clark, Tony, Ottewell, Karen, Dubey, Madhavi |
| Source: | ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal. Jul2025, Vol. 79 Issue 3, p404-418. 15p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Language exams, *Foreign students, *University & college admission, *Decision making, English language, Test reliability |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the complexities surrounding English language test choices for Higher Education (HE) admissions in the United Kingdom, focusing on the implications for institutional practices, student success, and stakeholder perceptions. Amid an evolving landscape, exacerbated by the pandemic, universities have faced challenges in ensuring that English language tests adequately measure the academic language proficiency required for international students. Drawing from desk-based research of 50 UK universities and a survey involving 67 HE personnel, the study highlights disparities in test acceptance, decision-making processes, and the validity of emerging at-home tests. Findings reveal concerns over test reliability, academic preparedness, and the impacts on student well-being and institutional reputation. The paper advocates for the development of robust evaluation frameworks, enhanced language assessment literacy, and targeted support services to address these challenges. By adopting evidence-based approaches, universities can better balance accessibility with maintaining academic standards, ultimately supporting international students' success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 187388346 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: The impact of English language test choice for higher education admissions in the UK: perceptions of key stakeholders. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bruce%2C+Emma%22">Bruce, Emma</searchLink><i> emma.bruce@britishcouncil.org</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kinnear%2C+Susan%22">Kinnear, Susan</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Clark%2C+Tony%22">Clark, Tony</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ottewell%2C+Karen%22">Ottewell, Karen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dubey%2C+Madhavi%22">Dubey, Madhavi</searchLink> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22ELT+Journal%3A+English+Language+Teaching+Journal%22">ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 79 Issue 3, p404-418. 15p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+exams%22">Language exams</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+students%22">Foreign students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+%26+college+admission%22">University & college admission</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+making%22">Decision making</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+language%22">English language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+reliability%22">Test reliability</searchLink> – Name: SubjectGeographic Label: Geographic Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This study investigates the complexities surrounding English language test choices for Higher Education (HE) admissions in the United Kingdom, focusing on the implications for institutional practices, student success, and stakeholder perceptions. Amid an evolving landscape, exacerbated by the pandemic, universities have faced challenges in ensuring that English language tests adequately measure the academic language proficiency required for international students. Drawing from desk-based research of 50 UK universities and a survey involving 67 HE personnel, the study highlights disparities in test acceptance, decision-making processes, and the validity of emerging at-home tests. Findings reveal concerns over test reliability, academic preparedness, and the impacts on student well-being and institutional reputation. The paper advocates for the development of robust evaluation frameworks, enhanced language assessment literacy, and targeted support services to address these challenges. By adopting evidence-based approaches, universities can better balance accessibility with maintaining academic standards, ultimately supporting international students' success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=187388346 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1093/elt/ccaf024 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 15 StartPage: 404 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Language exams Type: general – SubjectFull: Foreign students Type: general – SubjectFull: University & college admission Type: general – SubjectFull: Decision making Type: general – SubjectFull: English language Type: general – SubjectFull: Test reliability Type: general – SubjectFull: United Kingdom Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: The impact of English language test choice for higher education admissions in the UK: perceptions of key stakeholders. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Bruce, Emma – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Kinnear, Susan – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Clark, Tony – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ottewell, Karen – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Dubey, Madhavi IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 09510893 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 79 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal Type: main |
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