Poor English keeps 50% of applicants out of university

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Students have difficulty in understanding the exams.

Nearly half of all applicants to the University of Wollongong in Dubai are facing rejection due to poor English language skills, says the university's registrar and admissions manager, Sandra Lee.

Prospective students must meet the university's English language criteria by getting an acceptable score in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Lee said it's "unfortunate to see so many good students being turned away because they failed their IELTS or TOEFL exams."

The exams, which test fluency and accuracy skills in writing, speaking, reading and listening, are required for entry to most of Dubai's private and federal universities.

Paul Woodfall, IELTS examiner and trainer at the British Council in Dubai, said that many candidates "don't fully understand the requirements of the exam."

"It's about academic skills," he said, "and students don't have academic skills when they leave school."

Taking a preparation course is crucial if students are serious about achieving the required score, said Lee. The British Council runs regular IELTS preparation classes, training about 250 candidates a year. "We get another 150 people on top of that at elementary or pre-intermediate level, who don't even have enough English to do the preparation course," Woodfall said.

It's important that candidates are fully aware of the requirements of the exam and their own level before taking it, explained Lee. "The message is clear: students should not take the test lightly, as they run the risk of being denied admission."

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