Rethinking language qualifications in the UK university admission process: the case of native vs non-native speakers

Abstract

● There is a national debate over whether languages A-Levels achieved by native speakers can be accepted for university admissions. ● There is no existing policy regarding the status of native speaker A-Levels in the UK university admission process, despite attention from Ofqual (2017). ● Research on home, heritage and community languages (HHCLs) shows that native speakers exist on a wide continuum of competencies, and the skills emphasised in A-Levels tend to be ones acquired through formal instruction (much like English). That is, the scientific literature supports the idea that a good A-Level result constitutes an academic achievement by the student, whether or not they have had prior exposure to the language. ● Our ethnographic research among speakers of lesser-studied UK heritage languages shows that uncertainty over the value of languages A-Levels for higher education is a deterrent to post-16 uptake. ● Our survey of current university admission practices reveals a wide and unsystematic landscape of policies toward native speaker A-Levels. ● In the light of the above, we recommend that all language A-Levels should be accepted on an equal basis without regard for the candidate’s background for a more inclusive and equitable university admission process.