1. Introduction

1.1 The University recognises that Students from Language Backgrounds other than English may encounter difficulties in the first year of enrolment, which native speakers of English do not experience. Culturally based difficulties are also most likely to manifest as linguistic issues for students. The cultural implications for student assessment are broader than the provision of extra time in examinations and special consideration in assessment.

1.2 The University has in place mandatory English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate international student admission. These minimum standards act as predictors of a students capacity to complete successfully their program of study at the ANU. The policy is reviewed from time to time. The University also provides a range of support services for students in the form of intensive orientation programs run by some local areas or the ANU College Foundation Studies program on a fee paying basis, and academic skills assistance through the Academic Skills and Learning Centre.

1.3 Most Students from Language Backgrounds other than English will not need assistance under the assessment arrangements policy. For those students who are deemed eligible and require assistance, the support will be for a transitional period to enable the student to acquire the necessary level of language competency. It is expected that students will take responsibility for ensuring that their level of competence in English is sufficient for their chosen course of study, and for engaging help in developing proficiency with the English language according to their particular needs.

1.4 The criteria set out in this policy are non-discretionary and are to be applied by all coursework areas in the University. Students may access advice about the application of the policy from the course authority in the relevant ANU College, Student Advisors or Sub-Deans, the Academic Skills and Learning Centre, the Jabal Centre, the Equity and Diversity Unit, or Student and Academic Services.

The ANU Colleges are:

ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences comprising:

Faculty of Arts

Research School of Social Sciences

Research School of Humanities

Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

National Europe Centre

ANU College of Asia and Pacific Studies comprising:

Faculty of Asian Studies

Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies

Asia-Pacific School of Economics and Government

Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy

ANU College of Business and Economics comprising:

Faculty of Economics and Commerce

National Graduate School of Management

ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science comprising:

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering

ANU College of Law comprising:

Faculty of Law

ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciences comprising:

ANU Medical School

Institute for Health

John Curtin School of Medical Research

ANU College of Science comprising:

Faculty of Science

Mathematical Sciences Institute

Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Research School of Chemistry

Research School of Biological Sciences

Research School of Earth Sciences

Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies

2. Definitions

2.1 Students from Language Backgrounds other than English are defined as:

• International students from non-English speaking backgrounds who have been educated in a country where English is not the first language and who speak a language other than English at home; or
• Domestic students from non-English speaking backgrounds who meet the DEST definition, that is, students who:
  • were born outside Australia
  • arrived in Australia up to 10 years prior to the date of application; and
  • speak a language other than English at home; or
• Students who were born in Australia but who have lived permanently in a country where English is not the first language and who speak a language other than English at home; or
• Students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people at the time of enrolment at the ANU.

2.1.1 course authority means the person in charge of a course, normally the head of department, centre, division or school in which the course is offered. In the case of the ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciences, the course authority is the Associate Dean (Curriculum) and in the case of the ANU College of Law, the Sub-dean.

2.2 Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for extra time in examinations, special consideration in assessment, or a corresponding level of support, a student must:

• self-identify as a Student from a Language Background other than English; and
• be in their first year of enrolment, either full-time or part-time; and
• be able to demonstrate a mix of both linguistic and cultural factors, which disadvantage them in time-dependent assessment tasks conducted in English; and
• can demonstrate that they are undertaking English language training courses and can list these courses.

Eligibility may be extended for a limited time beyond the first year of enrolment at the discretion of the course authority.

2.3 Assessment in which extra time, special consideration or a corresponding level of support may be granted, must be shown to be time-dependent, and take one of the following forms:

• written examinations
• other written assessment
• oral examinations
• certain task-oriented assessment

Time-dependent refers to assessment where a time constraint comprises part of the assessment method and is aimed at testing learning outcomes, which can be produced within a time frame. For this policy to apply, it must be shown that more limited literacy/communication skills could consume a large part of this time and so negatively impact on a students capacity to produce outcomes. This will not normally apply to assignments which have a lengthy lead-time for submission.

Time concessions will only be available in those courses identified by the relevant course authority as being language rich.

Note: CEDAM is able to provide teaching staff with advice about assessment.

3. Formula

Note: Statements to guide course authorities and students will be available.

3.1 Students who are deemed eligible under paragraph 2.2, will be given an appropriate level of support and case dependent arrangements will be made according to the following formula:

• In the first year of enrolment, a standard upper limit of one-third extra time set by the course convenor for the examination in one or more of the courses undertaken by the student in the semester. This time may be used for either writing or reading.
• Beyond the transitional year, a reduced or nil allowance as determined by the course authority for each course

3.1.1 In making a determination under the formula, the course authority should aim to address a students disadvantage and, at the same time, maintain standards for learning outcomes. The course authority should also endeavour to maintain consistency in terms of eligibility, application and action.

The Academic Skills and Learning Centre is available to provide professional assistance to areas.

The Deans of the ANU Colleges are responsible for monitoring the application of the formula within their ANU College.

3.2 Where the course authority determines, access to an appropriate dictionary during an examination, will be available as a supplementary aid. A dictionary may be in English, or to or from English.

3.3 Where other forms of assessment are used (e.g., for professional practice, practical or performance examinations, oral examinations), the course authority may determine a corresponding level of support to that specified in 3.1 and 3.2.

3.4 Students who are deemed ineligible for support will be notified in writing by the relevant ANU College Office. Appeal procedures are available.

4. Application

4.1 Students from Language Backgrounds other than English who wish to apply for assessment concessions will be expected to present early in the first semester of their program of study to the course authority of the ANU College which offers the award program in which they are enrolled.

4.2 Applications will be rejected if they are received later than four weeks before the scheduled commencement of the Examination Session (i.e., four weeks before the end of the semester) or other assessment (i.e., four weeks before the mid-semester examination or other assessment date notified by the course convenor).

4.3 The procedures for applying, and for the processing of applications, are set out below.

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PROCEDURES

Note: Identifying as a Student from a Language Background other than English does not, of itself, entitle you to assessment concessions. The course authority will assess your application and determine what, if any, concessions are appropriate. The decision made in relation to one course will not necessarily be the same as for another course. For example, assessment arrangements for mathematics or statistics may be different from those for some Arts courses.

Within the first week of semester Student and Academic Services will notify you by email and on ISIS of the Policy on Assessment Arrangements for Students from Language Backgrounds other than English. Where applicable, you will also be informed via Student Recruitment and International Education, or the Jabal Centre orientation programs and newsletters.

STEP 1

To apply for assessment concessions:

• You must complete an application form for Assessment Arrangements for Students from Language Backgrounds other than English to self-identify.
• The form will ask you to state both linguistic and cultural factors, which you believe will disadvantage you in your program of study (see 2. Definitions of the Policy).

[Information relevant to assessing the level of disadvantage includes: you will need to demonstrate the extent to which previous tertiary and secondary education was undertaken in English; IELTS or TOEFL results; English results where English was undertaken in Year 12; any other cultural or linguistic reason which you consider to be important.]

• You will receive information about general services available at the University.
• You must submit the form to the relevant ANU College Office by the end of the first four weeks of the semester. The ANU Colleges are:

ANU College of Arts and Social Sciencescomprising:

Faculty of Arts

Research School of Social Sciences

Research School of Humanities

Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

National Europe Centre

ANU College of Asia and Pacific Studiescomprising:

Faculty of Asian Studies

Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies

Asia-Pacific School of Economics and Government

Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy

ANU College of Business and Economicscomprising:

Faculty of Economics and Commerce

National Graduate School of Management

ANU College of Engineering and Computer Sciencecomprising:

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Research School of Information Sciences and Engineering

ANU College of Lawcomprising:

Faculty of Law

ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciencescomprising:

ANU Medical School

Institute for Health

John Curtin School of Medical Research

ANU College of Sciencecomprising:

Faculty of Science

Mathematical Sciences Institute

Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Research School of Chemistry

Research School of Biological Sciences

Research School of Earth Sciences

Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

The information you provide on the form will be made available by the relevant ANU College Office to the course authority in each of the courses that you undertake in the first semester of your program of study.

STEP 2

Within the first three weeks of the first semester of your program of study:

• You should contact your course authority in person at class or by email to advise that you are a Student from a Language Background other than English.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

• The course authority may provide advice about services available in the local area or refer you to other areas of the University for assistance (e.g., about preparatory assistance; private tutoring; orientation programs; Academic Skills and Learning Centre assistance).
• The course authority may make his/her assessment at this time about what, if any, assessment arrangements you may receive within the course; OR
• The course authority will consider your application and, based on the course authoritys knowledge of your performance in class and tutorials, and with advice from the course convenor, determine:
  • whether or not you will be given extra reading and/or writing time or a corresponding level of support
  • how much extra time, if any, is to be given
  • whether or not you will be given access to a dictionary

Time concessions are only available in courses identified by the course authority as being language rich.

NOTE: Late applications for concessions may be accepted provided they are received by the course authority no later than four weeks before the scheduled commencement of the Examination Session (i.e., four weeks before the end of the semester) or assessment (i.e., four weeks before the mid-semester examination or other assessment date notified by the course authority).

• The decision of the course authority will be sent to the relevant ANU College Office.
• Time concessions will be recorded on your Student 21 record by the ANU College Office.

STEP 3

• You will be notified in writing (normally by email) of the outcome of your application. If you have not received notification, you will need to contact the ANU College Office.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

• In the case of applications received by the designated deadline, the relevant ANU College Office will notify you in writing of the outcome of your application at least two weeks before the date of the scheduled examination/assessment task, and provide details of any assessment arrangements that have been approved.
• The relevant ANU College Office will notify the Student and Academic Services of any special examination arrangements to be made for examinations administered by the Director, Student and Academic Services.

APPEAL PROCEDURES

If you receive a determination that you have not been given any assessment concessions or other forms of assistance, and you believe that linguistic and cultural factors are disadvantaging you in your program of study, you may appeal against the determination.

• The first step is to write to the course authority to request that your application be reconsidered.
• The course authority will consider your request and may seek advice, including from the Academic Skills and Learning Centre. The course authority will respond in writing, normally within two weeks of receipt of your request.
• If, after receiving the written response from the course authority, you are still not satisfied with the decision, you may appeal to the Dean of the ANU College in which you are enrolled.
• The appeal will be conducted by the Dean in such manner as the Dean determines. The Dean may inform him/herself on any matter relating to the appeal as he/she considers relevant.
• The Dean will inform you of the outcome in writing, normally within three weeks of receipt of the appeal.
• The Deans decision is final.

8 November 2005