IELTS Research Reports

A multiple case study of the relationship between the indicators of students’ English languagecompetence on entry and students’ academic progress at an international postgraduate universityCONTENTS1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................1331.1 Background............................................................................................................1331.2 UK university entry requirements for NNES applicants.........................................1341.2.1 IELTS test..............................................................................................................1341.2.2 UK university entrance requirements for English test scores................................1352 Literature Review................................................................................................................1362.1 Predictive validity studies of IELTS and academic progress..................................1372.2 The knowledge of admissions staff about English language tests.........................1372.3 Decision making processes of student selection...................................................1383 Context for Study................................................................................................................1394 Aims of The study...............................................................................................................1405 Research Design and Methodology..................................................................................1416 Pilot study............................................................................................................................1426.1 Data collection methods........................................................................................1426.2 Findings.................................................................................................................1426.2.1 Selection procedures.............................................................................................1426.2.2 Academic English provision...................................................................................1436.2.3 Analysis of selected application forms...................................................................1447 Interview study with Course directors..............................................................................1477.1 Method...................................................................................................................1477.1.1 Sampling................................................................................................................1487.1.2 Interview schedules...............................................................................................1508 Findings...............................................................................................................................1518.1 Models of selection practices.................................................................................1518.1.1 Demand for places.................................................................................................1538.1.2 Large student groups with a shared language other than English.........................1548.1.3 Class size..............................................................................................................1548.2 Course Directors’ use of English test scores in the selection process...................1548.2.1 General selection criteria.......................................................................................1548.2.2 Borderline cases....................................................................................................1558.2.3 Sceptics.................................................................................................................1568.2.4 Management of the selection process and learning how to select........................1568.3 Course Directors’ views of NNES students academic and linguistic process........1578.3.1 Relationship between test scores and academic progress....................................1588.3.2 Speaking skills.......................................................................................................1588.3.3 Writing skills...........................................................................................................159IELTS Research Reports Volume 11131