English standard before diplomas admission

Requirement ReasoningRequirements are there for a reason.

Singapore Standards
Singapore prides itself as a educational hub for both private and public sector education.

Reputation RationaleThe quality of Singapore's public sector is renowned internationally, and the private sector is expected to pull its weight too and not let the side down in terms of keeping up the Republic’s quest and image as an educational destination of choice.

The private sector includes diploma and degree education from foreign universities provided through private operators.

English Reality
How can you benefit from any good-quality diploma or degree course if your English language is dodgy? 

You can’t.

That is the reality, and is why James Cook University Singapore turned away 16 students mainly from China, according to The Straits Times.

Mismatch
Large numbers of foreign students flock to Singapore for intensive English classes, hoping subsequently to join a diploma or degree course after completing this course.

One of the affected students mentioned in the news report was tested again on arrival to Singapore and her language skills did not match her IELTS (International English Language Testing System) result.

Clearly Deficient   
Dale Anderson, deputy vice-chancellor of the Singapore campus of James Cook University mentioned in the report that students are refused entry only if it is clear they can’t cope with their studies.

Different Tack
It seems that AEC College has taken a different approach permitting its students to start their 18-month MBA course, but then allow their students up to one year to satisfy the minimum English requirements.

This tack is nothing new.

Personal ExperienceWhen I was working in the British Council, I was aware of a number of private schools permitting students to attend courses before they got their English certification provided they had it by the time graduation came.

Downside ConsiderationsThe downside of this approach is that the student may never get up to the required English standard although a lot do.

Also what could they really understand while they are getting up to speed?

It must have an impact on the level of understanding.  However, it does depend on the nature of the studies. For example, for some creative arts diploma courses this seemed a reasonable approach.

New Regulatory Authority
My experience was before the Council of Private Education (CPE) was set up and no doubt this will be an area that will come under scrutiny.

Fairness
A spokesman was reported as saying that requirements must be clearly communicated to students. That seems to be a fair point.

Other institutions were reported as saying that the English proficiency level must be satisfied before students can enroll in the diploma and degree courses.

Simon Phillips director of marketing and admissions at Curtin Singapore mentioned that some students do struggle when they have learnt English by rote learning. In this situation he said he would recommend intensive English classes.

Reference:  The Straits Times, Tuesday January 1, 2013.  Private uni bars foreign students for poor English