Identification of Vulnerable Groups in Terms of Language Proficiency in Higher Education

Abstract

AbstractThe language proficiency of university students is considered a key factor for knowledge acquisition and success in higher education. Recent research has revealed a connection between language proficiency and academic performance. Some studies identified certain groups of learners who show deficits in language proficiency when entering higher education and who can be considered to be vulnerable groups who need particular support. The present study analyzes the level of proficiency in the language of instruction among two vulnerable groups of students at the beginning of their university studies: (i) students with a refugee background and a mother tongue other than English enrolled in English-language study programs (1st group) and (ii) students at regular German universities with a mother tongue other than German (2nd group). In both groups, the students’ language proficiency was assessed using validated test instruments. 1,375 students with a refugee background (1st group) took a C-test on an online platform to assess their English language proficiency. For the second group, the Test of German as a foreign language was used. The Test of German as a foreign language was also used to assess students at regular German universities whose mother tongue was German, which allows us to present comparative analyses between these groups in this paper. To analyze the assessments of English and German language skills on the same metric, the test results of both samples were converted into the categories used by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The majority of students with a refugee background did not achieve the minimum level (B2) required for university studies. The group of university students whose mother tongue was not German also showed deficits in their language proficiency, which indicates a need for support. To foster sufficient language proficiency among students in higher education, effective language offerings for refugee students and students with a migration background should be implemented with a particular focus on core concepts and terms in their field of study.KeywordsLanguage proficiencyUniversity studentsRefugee backgroundMother tongueEnglish language proficiencyTest of German as a foreign language