The Embedding English Language program is unlike any other language support program in its reach, scope, and impact on students. The program screens all commencing students for their academic language level and then provides targeted, subject-specific language development for students identified as requiring additional support, whether they are domestic or international. The program has four stages, which are referred to as the Embedding English Language Framework (EELF); each stage of the Framework is set out below.
Stage 1 – Initial Language Screening (OPELA)
At the commencement of the semester, all incoming students are screened for academic language using an online screening task (Online Post-Enrolment Language Assessment: OPELA) or an alternative task for students with accessibility needs, which is embedded into core subjects in all faculties.
Students who receive a result that indicates a need for language support must attend compulsory Language Development Tutorials (LDTs) that are aligned with one of their core disciplinary subjects.
Stage 2 – Follow-up support
Students with a Basic screening result receive subject and discipline-specific academic language support in the form of:
- Language Development Tutorials from week 3 or 4 to week 12
- Students who cannot attend face-to-face tutorials complete alternative forms either in block mode or online.
Stage 3 – Milestone task one
All students in the identified screening subjects complete a Milestone task:
Milestone 1 task assesses a student’s academic English language level.
- The task is incorporated into an existing assessment with a written/verbal component.
- Each student is assessed for language using the academic English language framework: Unsatisfactory, Needs Developing or Satisfactory.
- Students with an Unsatisfactory language level are referred to additional follow-up language development support.
Stage 4 – Further milestone tasks (milestone two and three)
All students in identified second and third session subjects complete a Milestone task:
- Milestone 2 and 3 tasks/subjects assess a student's academic English language level.
- Incorporated into further assessment tasks or subjects over degree program
- Each student is assessed for language using the academic English language framework: Unsatisfactory, Needs Developing or Satisfactory.
- Students with an Unsatisfactory language level are referred to additional follow-up language development support.
Further information
Information about the program is available to staff on the Embedding English Language Program SharePoint (UTS login required). Alternatively, contact us at academic.language@uts.edu.au for more information about the program.