UAE | Education

Poor English skills blamed as students turned away

A large number of students applying to UAE universities fail to meet English language proficiency requirements set down by the institutions.

  • By Amelia Naidoo, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:25 September 9, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: A large number of students applying to UAE universities fail to meet English language proficiency requirements set down by the institutions.

Zayed University (ZU) officials say about 80 per cent of applicants fail to meet its language requirements. The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently reported almost 50 per cent of its applicants this semester did not meet the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) criteria.

Institutions such as the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and American College of Dubai have reported lower figures of about 20 per cent and five per cent respectively while Manipal University's director Dr B Ramjee reported that the institution had no problems with English language proficiency.

At mixed nationality universities such as AUS, students who had difficulties with English proficiency tests usually came from schools where Arabic was the medium of instruction, said AUS vice chancellor for enrolment management Ali Shuhaimy. Institutions such as Zayed University and UAE University admit UAE passport holders.

"At UOWD, we received a record number of applications for the autumn intake, but shockingly nearly half are facing rejection because they did not meet the IELTS or TOEFL criteria," said Sandra Lee, UOWD registrar and admissions manager.

"A little planning on the part of students could have helped them in getting admission to the university of their choice. The message is clear: students should not take the tests lightly as they are running the risk of being denied admission to a university of their choice for failing to meet the admission eligibility criteria," said Lee.

Those students who do not meet the minimum requirements set by a university are usually admitted to an English language programme, the length of which varies according to the student's proficiency. Students must meet the university's English requirements before they may enrol for credit-bearing courses officials say.

ZU director of The Academic Bridge Programme, Bryan Gilroy, said English proficiency was "definitely a challenge" and as a consequence students have to enrol in academic bridge programmes of between 10 weeks and 18 months. Students were not turned away because of a lack of language skills.

Communications Programme Head Dr Abdul Razak Bin Hamida at UAE University reiterated that poor exposure to the target language and methods of teaching are not always effective. "Students tend to be passive and rely more on rote learning," said Dr Hamida. "There are not enough opportunities to do things with English and there are not enough facilities for independent learning in schools," he added.

Gilroy said most instruction in UAE schools was in Arabic, with four to six hours devoted to English per week. "But the problem as far as I can see is the prevalence of rote learning," added Gilroy.

He continued that English is taught in a very traditional way with students not having the practical skills to apply the language. "It's not a secret that standards are lower than what we would like to see and even the minister (Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University) has referred to the fact that teaching standards need to be improved," Gilroy said.

Gilroy advises students to read in English and Arabic, not a skill they favoured due to mass media such as YouTube.

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has advised students seeking admission to the university to attend IELTS or TOEFL preparatory classes well ahead of the tests.

Lee said it is imperative students start preparing for the IELTS and TOEFL exams well before applying for admission. "It is unfortunate to see so many good students being turned away because they failed their IELTS or TOEFL exams," said Lee.

TOEFL: Non-native applicants

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand Standard American English at a college level.

It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, businesses, or scholarship programmes may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then is deleted from the official database. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country.

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions and by more than 1,800 academic institutions in the United States.

Is this a reflection of the standard of English amongst students? Or are the English Language tests too difficult? What recourse is advisable to students who have failed the test? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

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