A
Academic language and learningSee ALL
AALLAssociation for Academic Language and Learning. The professional body for those involved in post-entry language and learning.
ALLAcademic language and learning. This describes the work undertaken by professionals who work with students on post-entry language and literacy development. ALL specialists may also work on student study skills and other issues related to student learning.
ACERAustralian Council for Educational Research.
Association for Academic Language and LearningSee AALL.
ASQAAustralian Skills Quality Authority
AUQAAustralian Universities Quality Agency. This has now been replaced by TEQSA.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)National policy for qualifications in Australian education and training. It describes all qualifications available in Australian education and training.
C
CALDCulturally and linguistically diverse.
Capstone unitA unit of study available in the final year of an undergraduate degree, which integrates the course material from across the course curriculum.
CreditA system of points for units of study which are added together until a student has obtained the requisite number to obtain a degree.
D
Diagnostic testAssessment intended to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses in the area assessed.
DisciplineField of study or academic subject.
E
EALEnglish as an additional language.
ELICOSEnglish language intensive courses for overseas students.
English AustraliaThe peak body for ELICOS organisations in Australia.
English language proficiency'English language proficiency', as it is used in this website, describes the capacity to use English to construct and communicate meaning at a level appropriate for the communicative context. It is an overarching term that is intended to include general, academic and professional domains of use.
English language standards for higher educationA set of six standards developed from the Good Practice Principles.
EmbeddingThe integration of English language development into discipline-specific units or courses of study.
ESLEnglish as a second language.
ESBEnglish-speaking background.
Exit TestThis is a language assessment administered to students at the time of graduation. It may be used by students to demonstrate to future employers that they have achieved a certain level of proficiency, or may be used by the university as part of its monitoring of student proficiency levels.
F
FAQFrequently asked question. On this website, we have produced a list of frequently asked questions and some suggested answers.
H
Higher EducationEducation at first degree level or above. Almost all higher education in Australia is provided by universities, although there are some non-self-accrediting higher education institutions.
I
IELTSInternational English Language Testing System. An international English language test, often used as a means by which English language entry level proficiency is measured in Australian universities.
Institutional approachFor this project, a whole-of-institution strategy for student English language development.
J
JALLJournal of Academic Language and Learning.
L
L2Second or subsequent language.
Language and learning advisor (LLA)Staff member who primarily conducts activities to enhance students’ post-entry English language use, academic literacy, communication skills or study skills. Learning Management System (LMS)
A software application for the management of course or unit content, teaching and assessment.
LLASee language and learning advisor.
LMSSee Learning Management System.
LOTELanguage other than English.
M
My UniversityGovernment website providing information on Australia’s universities.
N
NESBNon English speaking background.
P
PELAPost-entry language assessment. This is used to describe an assessment instrument that can be optional or compulsory, online or paper-based, institution-wide or course-specific, which has as its aim the identification of students’ English language developmental needs.
PTEPearson Test of English. An international English test that is often listed as a means by which students may meet the English language entry requirement in Australian universities.
S
Screening testIn post-entry English language proficiency contexts, this means a preliminary assessment used to distinguish between those who need a more comprehensive assessment and those who do not.
T
TEQSATertiary Education Quality and Standards Authority
TOEFLTest of English as a Foreign Language. An international English test that is often listed as a means by which students may meet the English language entry requirement in Australian universities.
U
Universities AustraliaThe peak body that represents all universities in Australia.