ELT World
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Find out what’s going on in TEFL around Europe with the latest action from the United Kingdom, Ireland and, er, Malta.
UK tightens English language test rules for foreign students
In a bid by ministers to deter bogus applicants, tens of thousands of international students who want to study in the UK will from this month be required to prove a minimum English language ability. According to the Guardian, the move to make one of 12 “Secure English language tests” compulsory, which comes into effect on 12 August, has raised concerns that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has selected the tests solely because of their security measures and lack a detailed understanding of the evidence of language ability that they provide.
INTO condemns English language cuts
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has warned further jobs could be lost at primary schools because of cuts in the number of support language teachers for non-Irish national students.The union, claimed the Irish Times, accused the Government of taking a “hardline approach” to allocating the number of English language teachers in schools.The level of extra teaching support allocated to schools is determined by the numbers of eligible pupils enrolled and on their language proficiency. INTO said it had examples of schools where the number of pupils without English was increasing while the number of teachers was being cut.
Incidents involving students ‘must be seen in perspective’
Recent incidents involving English language students must be seen in perspective of the tens of thousands who visit Malta every year, the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta has insisted. Language students hit the headlines this month: on Monday four Italians, including a 16-year-old, were conditionally discharged and warned by a magistrate after they admitted stealing electronic items and cash from rooms at a Bugibba guesthouse.
Drop of 17.3% on EFL students attending courses in 2009
In 2009, 68,918 foreign students attended courses at local English-language specialised schools. This resulted in a 17.3 per cent drop over 2008. The majority of students came from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Russia and collectively accounted for 72.4 per cent of the total.
Cuts to English language supports
The cuts to English language supports that were revealed last week will have a direct impact on the education of all pupils, not just migrants, according to FG City Councillor Jim D’Arcy. “Figures show that the number of English language support teachers fell by one third between last year and this year. Children of all ages and backgrounds are losing out.
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