Emperor's new clothes: yes, there is a link between English language competence and academic standards

Australian universities have struggled to compensate for funding cuts by taking in large numbers of full-fee paying international students. Concern is mounting about falling standards and the growth of plagiarism. The author interviewed 14 academics from 10 universities and found that all were concerned about the inadequate English of many international students. Most reported pressure to pass such students despite poor work, and to overlook plagiarism. Where academics did report plagiarism they found the process time-consuming and often futile Copyright. Monash University and the author/s