Academic English screening and support
Screening
If you have been accepted to study at The University of Queensland, you have already met our high English language requirements. However, we want you to thrive in your chosen program and your professional life after university, not just survive. That’s why we, in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, conduct Academic English Screening (AES) at the beginning of semester.
AES is a quick check of discipline-relevant language skills, designed to identify students who would benefit from additional academic English support in order to cope with the academic communication demands of their courses and thrive in their program.
AES is not an exam, and you can't fail. Results will not appear on your university transcript or affect your admission to the University. You do not need to prepare anything or study for the AES.
The screening takes between 15 and 25 minutes to complete and can be taken on your own devices (tablets, laptops or phones). Your AES result will be one of the following:
Band 1: Your AES result indicates that you would benefit from additional academic English language support to help you cope with your studies.
- We recommend active engagement with learning support activities / materials in order to succeed in your course.
Band 2: Your AES result indicates that you probably have enough academic English language ability to cope with your studies.
- We recommend taking advantage of learning support activities and materials in order to thrive in your course.
Band 3: Your AES result indicates that your academic English language proficiency is well-developed.
- We recommend using learning support activities and materials in order to maximise your success.
Who needs to take the AES?
The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology has a large and diverse student body. Therefore, the approach taken with AES is to offer it to all students regardless of their linguistic backgrounds.
It may seem strange to be asked to complete AES if English is your first language, however, it is important you take the screening seriously and pay close attention to the questions as they can be quite challenging even for native speakers. If you rush through the quiz, you may be identified as needing support, even if you don’t.
Your program enrolment will not be cancelled if you do not follow up with any English language support recommended to you. However, students who do take the support offered are more likely to pass their courses and perform at their best. If you do not take AES when asked, or if you are identified as needing support but then choose not to follow up, and then your academic results are subsequently unsatisfactory, you may have difficulty progressing.
Support
Academic language and skills support is available to all EAIT students free of charge.
- An Embedded Language Support Officer (ELSO) provides a range of supports to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- To enhance your general academic skills, attend free English for Academic Communication (EAC) workshops provided by UQ College where you can meet other students and work together on your academic writing and speaking skills. These short, interactive courses start in week 2 and week 5 of each semester, run for three weeks (two hours per week), and can be fitted around your other classes.
- You can also access discipline-specific English for Academic Communication (EAC) support when you take selected EAIT courses.
- For a longer, self-paced course, to build your skills in academic writing, UQ has a free MOOC (ACE101x Academic English: How to Write an Essay) that focuses on argumentative research essays.
Taking the opportunity to develop professional communication skills as you progress through your program will set you up for a successful career in your chosen profession.