Science - May 13, 2004
Executive Board wants new English language tests and courses for all students
The university is to introduce three measures to improve the English skills of students here. The admissions requirements for foreign students are to be made stricter, and the same criteria will be applied to Dutch MSc applicants from outside Wageningen. In addition, all MSc entrants, including those with a Wageningen BSc, will have to take an English test at the Language Centre (CENTA) after admission.
The five hundred European students who come to Wageningen each year through Socrates/Erasmus programmes will not have to fulfil the language requirements as they do not do a complete master’s course here, but only a few courses.
This coming academic year, all students admitted to the master’s level will have to take an English test at CENTA. Those scoring less than fifty percent of the maximum score will be advised not to start their study until their English has improved. These students will also be offered a basic course in English paid for by the university. Students with a score between fifty and sixty percent will be given two study periods’ time to improve their English.
Participation in both the test and the course will not be made compulsory however, although the study coordinators will be asked to strongly advise their students to take the test. The Executive Board estimates that there are two hundred students each year who could do with a course, a quarter of the expected enrolments for the MSc programmes. The Board has also earmarked money for a course on writing skills. The course will be given three times a year as a tryout during the coming two academic years by CENTA. After that the course will be included in the regular education curriculum of the university.
Guido van Hofwegen