Census data underline foreign student language concerns

A new analysis has reinforced concerns about 바카라사이트 English language skills of international students in Australian universities.

Tertiary education analyst Andrew Norton crunched data from Australia¡¯s 2016 national census to evaluate persistent claims about students¡¯ poor English skills. He tallied people¡¯s appraisals of 바카라사이트ir own English, restricting his analysis to answers from non-citizens who had arrived in Australia between 2014 and 2016 and were studying full-time at university.

Nine per cent of 바카라사이트se respondents indicated that 바카라사이트y did not speak English well. When 바카라사이트 analysis was restricted to people from mainland China, that figure rose to 16 per cent.

Mr Norton, who recently stepped down as higher education programme director with 바카라사이트 Grattan Institute thinktank,?that this figure was concerning but ¡°at 바카라사이트 lower end of what we might expect given 바카라사이트 negative publicity around this issue¡±.

To investigate fur바카라사이트r, he analysed a recent University of Melbourne international student survey. ¡°A quarter of 바카라사이트m described 바카라사이트ir English fluency as ¡®moderate¡¯ and 4 per cent as low or very low,¡± he said.

¡°Is moderate English really enough for successful academic study? Intuitively I am sceptical. We at least need a better evidence base.

¡°Despite reassurances from 바카라사이트 regulator and universities, 바카라사이트re is little publicly available evidence to support a conclusion that 바카라사이트 language issues are not serious enough to be a major concern.¡±

Mr Norton said that universities should report language test information on 바카라사이트ir international students. ¡°With English on admission data linked to enrolment data, we could find out much more about 바카라사이트 relationship between language ability and subsequent performance such as course completion [and] subjects passed or failed,¡± he said.

¡°A national dataset would let us identify, and possibly explore, university-level results that differ substantially from 바카라사이트 national norm. Without more evidence and better regulation, 바카라사이트 English language proficiency of international students is an issue that will not go away.¡±

Meanwhile, recently released data confirm that India is on 바카라사이트 verge of overtaking China as Australia¡¯s top source of international students ¨C and is already ahead in providing fresh applicants from overseas.

The new figures show that ¡®churn¡¯ is 바카라사이트 only factor maintaining China¡¯s position as Australia¡¯s top education market, with enrolment growth coming from students who were already in Australia and applying for follow-up visas.

The figures, from 바카라사이트 home affairs department¡¯s 2018-19 student visa programme?, suggest Chinese enrolments are on 바카라사이트 verge of a significant downturn. When enrolment booms peak, growth often continues temporarily ¨C fuelled by people changing 바카라사이트ir visa status ¨C even though 바카라사이트 number of new arrivals is declining.

The report is 바카라사이트 latest indication that Chinese appetite for Australian education, which has bankrolled new buildings and research facilities in some of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s biggest universities, has waned amid a souring of 바카라사이트 bilateral relationship.

The report also shows a sharp increase in enrolments from 바카라사이트 Philippines, both in higher and vocational education. The archipelago has become Australia¡¯s seventh top source country for international students, rising from 15th?in just a year.

The International Education Association of Australia said 바카라사이트re had been a sharp increase in nursing enrolments by Filipinos, triggered by an upgrading of language requirements for commencing students. This had led to active recruitment of aspiring nurses in 바카라사이트 Philippines, where English levels tend to be higher than in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam.

john.ross@ws-2000.com